Ireland controls all previous editions of ESPN’s Weekly British & Ireland Lions Watch, but will last weekend’s humble 42-27 defeat to France change that?
I took a step towards solidifying my place on a tour to Australia this summer, but who is still something to do?
ESPN writers Tom Hamilton and James Regan show the weight of who should be in XV.
1. Andrew Porter, Ireland (Props)
Hamilton: Porter keeps his shirts, but Ellis Jenge is getting closer each week.
Regan: Porter was beaten a bit by France over the weekend with the rest of Ireland’s pack. But he is still too many at the bank to move from this place.
2. Dan Sheehan (Hooker)
Regan: Same as above. I tried it right after a break that was supposed to have kickstarted Ireland, but it wasn’t.
Hamilton: This is Sheehan’s spot, but I’d love to see Jamie George travel. It’s attractive to see three prostitutes going. It will likely be three from Sheehan, George, Ronan Kelleher and Lake Dewi.
3. Previously Finlay Beerham, British Stuart (prop)
Hamilton: I’ll move Stuart to Beer Ham here. Have you seen Stuart’s side step against Italy? So get him on your own. But he’s also really well.
Regan: I see Tom thinking here: Stuart was solid for the UK. Beerham is definitely fighting for his jersey. Scottish Xander Fagerson is screaming after being pretty consistent this year too.
4. Marois (Rock) in the UK
Regan: He learned a lot from taking on the role of captain of England this year, and that will help him. Freeing from that pressure on the Lions Tour will also help him follow his business on the pitch
Hamilton: Losing itoje’s shirt. He’s glued to this point.
5. Tadge Bailne, Ireland (Rock)
Hamilton: I still have Bailun in the lock. James Ryan and Joe McCarthy are on his heels, but Ollie Chessum is really doing well.
Regan: Baerne needs to be somewhere and, as he does, he will probably have to go to rock with Ito, with Tom Curry. Chesham hopes the tour will take some time. McCarthy is also knocking on the door.
6. Ollie Chesham, UK (Flanker), formerly Tom Curry
Hamilton: Now, it’s time to shake things up. Start the Chesham on the blind side and move the curry to the open side. It all depends on whether Farrell wants two fetcher flankers on the backrow or if he has a lot of lineouts.
Regan: I’m sticking to how I had curry number 6 last week. he An outstanding player in England in this tournament. If he could get through the rest of the season unharmed, he could have made Australia shine this summer.
7. British Tom Curry (Flanker), formerly Josh van der Flyer
Hamilton: The van der flyer can be removed from the bench. Curry needs to start here.
Regan: Again, it’s one of the most interesting positions on the team. Certainly, it still gets a grab. Roleaderji’s leadership is also a bonus here.
8. Kaelan Doris, Ireland (No. 8)
Hamilton: Doris had trouble with Angus Gardner over the weekend and was on the wrong side of the judge early on. This is a concern. However, his performance on the field is impressive and he remains an outstanding candidate for captain of the team.
Regan: It’s still hard to see someone stopping Doris from taking No. 8 jersey and captain.
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Scrum Half) in Ireland
Regan: He wasn’t at his best against France, but he is by far the best scrum half.
Hamilton: Ignoring the French game, Gibson Park remains an outstanding scrum half option. Alex Mitchell remains a strong competitor.
10. Finn Russell, Scotland (Fly Half)
Hamilton: Finn Russell is in the box sheet here. He stood out against Wales. Prendagast struggled against France, but he certainly traveled. But keep an eye on Finn Smith, he’s out.
Regan: His absence was deeply felt as he went out on time marks with Wales. He had none of his best tournaments by his own high standards, but no one else has raised his hands in particular.
11. James Lowe, Ireland (Winger)
Regan: He missed the defeat of France and perhaps gave him some bounty. He certainly needs to start the test.
Hamilton: Despite Lowe missing out on a match against France, he certainly starts here.
12. Bandiaki, Ireland (center)
Regan: Midfield options are heading towards the head. Henry Slade, who was dropped, unfortunately looks out of the run. Aki is a solid option, but I hope that Sione Tuipulotu still has a say. Tom Jordan also made a good impression for Tuipulotu.
Hamilton: I agree with James. France has discovered a way to negate Aki’s threat, and Chuiportz’s stock is rising in his absence. Jordan needs to travel too. This appears to be between Aki and Tuipulotu.
13. Foo Jones, Scotland (center)
Regan: Until his cruel Achilles injury, I was leaning towards Ollie Lawrence at age 13. But Jones is certainly not in the box seat here.
Hamilton: Lawrence will likely miss after his Achilles injury. It’s a brutal blow to him. Jones is playing well and probably keeps his spot here, but Garry Ringrose will say a bit about this.
14. Darcy Graham (winger) of Scotland
Regan: Another attempt over the weekend. The injury and the shape of the other person were able to open the door to Graham.
Hamilton: I oppose James and put Tommy Freeman here on the wings. Graham gets four out of four, providing airborne threats and also covering the centre. But Freeman has a great tournament.
15. Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn (Fullback)
Regan: He played Wales on two tries. He hopes for another big performance in Paris this week.
Hamilton: I agree this time. Kinghorn was epic against Wales over the weekend.
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