What was supposed to be a big weekend for Lions candidates turned into a bit of a non-event. A few Scots put their hands up, but otherwise business as usual.
Gethin Jenkins went a bit better this week, and one hopes that as his match fitness improves so will his form, but he hasn’t done enough yet to oust one of the others, who all faired reasonably well on the weekend. Meanwhile Euan Murray played considerably better and put himself back on track, usurping Craig Mitchell who only got a couple minutes of action in against France.
The return of Richard Hibbard to the test side was a bit of a letdown as he didn’t really have the big impact expected, but Ross Ford made enough of an impression during an solid eighty minute shift to take Dylan Hartley’s spot. Tom Youngs didn’t play badly but it will be a close call for Stuart Lancaster as to which hooker starts the next key test against France.
A couple players put their hands up at second row this week, as Geoff Parling won a clear decision victory over Donnacha Ryan in Dublin. The Leicester man’s lineout work has always been solid but his contribution around the pitch seems to be improving with every game. Ian Evans put in a very good shift for Wales and takes the spot of Mike McCarthy, who had an off-game against England. Richie Gray was just about the same, nothing sensational but good enough make the squad given his potential to excel.
The back row has a reasonably settled look to it, with one injury enforced change as Toby Faletau steps up in place of Ben Morgan, and Justin Tipuric dropping out for Ryan Jones. Despite Rob Harley’s big game for Scotland, the leadership and experience of Jones, who also played well, gives him the nod. Tipuric was given his sought-after run out in the openside jersey but had an indifferent match when he needed a big one.
No game time at all for Danny Care means that Greig Laidlaw takes his spot after a fine performance for Scotland. The passing game of Mike Phillips is still very laboured but his physical presence and carrying ability remain a useful option at halfback. No changes at flyhalf as Dan Biggar didn’t do much until his cross kick late in the game. Lions fans were all holding their breath when Jonny Sexton went down, but it sounds like he’ll only be out a couple weeks with his bad hamstring.
Better games from Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies this week as they just fend off the challenge of Brad Barritt. The defensive qualities of the English centre are hard to ignore, but his lack of offensive weaponry is at the core of his non-selection. Matt Scott had a fine game for Scotland but needs a few more of those types of performances if he is to be considered seriously.
An untimely injury to Simon Zebo means that he’ll have precious little time to impress when he returns, and Tim Visser’s impressive finishing skills put him back in contention. Stuart Hogg’s second consecutive Lions-worthy performance means that Alex Goode and Mike Brown now have to perform a bit of magic to get back in the mix in a very tight race. Ben Foden’s injury worries look increasingly like he’ll be left out altogether.
LIONS SQUAD ROUND 2
FORWARDS(20):
Cian Healy, Joe Marler, Ryan Grant, Rory Best, Tom Youngs, Ross Ford, Dan Cole, Adam Jones, Euan Murray, Joe Launchbury, Richie Gray, Ian Evans, Geoff Parling, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Ryan Jones, Sean O’Brien, Chris Robshaw, Johnnie Beattie, Toby Faletau.
BACKS(16):
Ben Youngs, Mike Phillips, Greig Laidlaw, Jonny Sexton, Owen Farrell, James Hook, Billy Twelvetrees, Jamie Roberts, Brian O’Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, Tim Visser, George North, Sean Maitland, Leigh Halfpenny, Stuart Hogg, Rob Kearney.
NOT CONSIDERED DUE TO INJURY:
Alex Corbisiero, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O’Connell, Luke Charteris, Stephen Ferris, Dan Lydiate, John Barclay, Sam Warburton, Ross Rennie, Ben Morgan, Chris Cusiter, Freddie Burns, Rhys Priestland, Joe Ansbro, Nick De Luca, Tommy Bowe, Simon Zebo, Rory Lamont, Ben Foden.
