The second week of the 2025 Six Nations introduced extra speaking factors, like what’s going to occur to Wales after Warren Gatland’s exit, whether or not England have discovered their No. 10 of the longer term and doubt over if Eire will be stopped from making historical past.
Nonetheless, one continued narrative over this event is Andy Farrell’s collection of his British & Irish Lions squad forward of this summer season’s tour of Australia.
Every week, ESPN writers James Regan and Tom Hamilton weigh in on who ought to be within the XV.
1. Andrew Porter, Eire (prop)
Hamilton: Non-mover right here. Porter is the dominant loose-head obtainable.
Regan: Agreed. Nailed on starter. The type of Ellis Genge shall be encouraging for Farrell as properly.
2. Dan Sheehan, Eire (hooker)
Regan: The Rónan Kelleher / Sheehan is an fascinating one right here. Count on Sheehan to begin, however figuring out what an impression he could make off the bench could possibly be a unbelievable weapon for the Lions.
Hamilton: Regardless of getting used off the bench once more, Sheehan is the perfect hooker at Farrell’s disposal. But it surely would not have gone unnoticed how properly Kelleher went, and likewise how Jamie George shored issues up as soon as he got here off the bench for England.
3. Finlay Bealham, Eire (prop) – replaces Zander Fagerson
Hamilton: There is a robust argument to make this an all-Eire front-row. Fagerson will probably find yourself being the beginning tight-head, however on kind alone, Finlay Bealham is in.
Regan: It will be tempting to see decide an all Eire front-row for Farrell absolutely? Or then again, including Fagerson and having the prospect to construct one thing new could possibly be simply as harmful.
4. Maro Itoje, England (lock)
Regan: No approach he does not begin. He may have taken a lot from England’s win over France. His mindset is deadly as properly. He was fast to level out how a lot his aspect can enhance. A real chief.
Hamilton: One other spectacular efficiency from the England captain. Itoje is a certainty to journey and begin within the Assessments.
5. Joe McCarthy, Eire (lock)
Regan: I might persist with McCarthy at lock and Beirne at No. 6
Hamilton: I went for Beirne right here final week and I am sticking by that. Eire are optimistic McCarthy shall be obtainable for his or her spherical there match.
6. Tadgh Beirne, Eire (flanker)
Regan: As talked about, Beirne retains his spot No. 6. Curry was phenomenal and will present enormous impression off the bench. It is going to be fascinating to see how his physique holds up within the construct as much as the tour.
Hamilton: With Beirne within the second-row, I went for Tom Curry final week and going for him once more. He was excellent towards France.
7. Rory Darge, Scotland (flanker)
Regan: I might persist with Darge. He is been superior in a depleted Scotland aspect.
Hamilton: Time for a change right here, maybe. Darge will go on tour, however Josh van der Flier is so extremely constant in Eire’s back-row. There’s a humiliation of riches right here.
8. Caelan Doris, Eire (No. 8)
Regan: One other lock. The best way he offers with officers in stress conditions could be very spectacular as properly.
Hamilton: One other enormous efficiency from the Irish captain. Certainly the Lions captain this summer season, too. Be careful for Jack Conan‘s impression from the bench.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park, Eire (scrum-half)
Hamilton: The Eire scrum-half put in one other spectacular efficiency towards Scotland and is the clear option to be beginning No.9. Though Alex Mitchell additionally impressed.
Regan: Gibson-Park appears to be rising into the Six Nations with one other stable effort towards Scotland. Nearly as good as Mitchell has been, do not count on anybody to shift Gibson-Park right here.
10. Finn Russell, Scotland (fly-half)
Regan: Fin Smith couldn’t have had a greater first up audition to get himself on the tour. He’s a powerful candidate for a future tour, though Australia will come too quickly. That mentioned, you’ll thought the identical pre-France, and but he was so calm beneath the hardest of stress.
Hamilton: This can be a robust one. Russell, who had an underwhelming first week, was compelled off injured towards Eire however is the perfect fly-half the Lions have. Sam Prendergast and Fin Smith have been immense on the weekend and now look set to be within the body to journey as options at No.10.
11. James Lowe, Eire (winger)
Hamilton: No change right here. Lowe is in spectacular kind and has the aptitude to show a match on its head.
Regan: Humorous to assume there have been a couple of questions over Lowe heading into this yr, however he has brutally proved everybody flawed.
12. Bundee Aki, Eire (centre)
Hamilton: Better of luck making an attempt to choose the centre mixture for the summer season. You have got Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Ollie Lawrence and Huw Jones. Proper now, Aki nearly holds onto the jersey.
Regan: Positively essentially the most intriguing choice space. I believe Henry Slade has seemed good as properly this yr, gelling with Lawrence. For me, nonetheless Sione Tuipulotu‘s to lose.
13. Huw Jones, Scotland (centre)
Hamilton: Jones has been persistently spectacular for Scotland. Lawrence will push him shut, nonetheless, as will the 2 Irish choices.
Regan: I believe Lawrence’s energy and ball working could possibly be beginning to give him the sting. He is so robust, no nonsense and is at all times discovering himself in good positions. He seems to be so snug on the elite stage now.
14. Darcy Graham, Scotland (winger)
Regan: Tommy Freeman shall be crossing his fingers Fin Smith holds onto the England No. 10 spot. They clearly have a connection and Freeman seemed good towards France, dominating Louis Bielle-Biarrey within the air to attain a properly labored attempt.
Hamilton: Duhan van der Merwe scored an important attempt towards Eire, however regardless that Graham was compelled off injured, he’s the extra full winger. Freeman was additionally excellent for England.
15. Blair Kinghorn, Scotland (fullback)
Hamilton: As soon as Scotland misplaced each Russell and Graham, they have been on the again foot. Kinghorn shall be challenged by Hugo Keenan for the fullback jersey, however Kinghorn nearly holds on.
Regan: Marcus Smith, anybody?
– British & Irish Lions 2025: Australia tour fixtures
– Tom Hamilton from Twickenham: How England broke their hoodoo
– James Regan on France: ‘Golden technology’ want title greater than ever
– Monday overreactions: Fin Smith now England No.10 ?
– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ basic video games
– NEWS: Warren Gatland exits Wales halfway via Six Nations
– Six Nations and Ladies’s Six Nations: Full fixture record
