Each week we will be asking rugby journalists as well as Lions legends to review all the action from the leagues and competitions to see which players are putting their names in contention for the Lions Tour of Australia this summer. This week’s Lions Watch is written by Paul Martin.
The latest round of Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures saw plenty of Lions candidates going head-to-head in a string of blockbuster fixtures.
Leinster in significant victory
Leinster once again showed their standard with a seismic victory over La Rochelle, led by captain Caelan Doris.
The rematch of last season’s final saw Doris put in an impressive defensive performance featuring 29 tackles and three turnovers as the Irish side ran out 16-14 winners.
Up against Gregory Alldritt, Doris won the battle of the No.8s and also made 13 carries.
Meanewhile Sione Tuipulotu has taken on the Scotland captaincy in recent months and was at the heart of Glasgow Warriors’ impressive 29-19 victory over Racing 92.
Sione Tuipulotu goes over! 🌟@GlasgowWarriors secure their bonus point at the end of the first half of action ⚔️#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/hi3CUwusfp
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 10, 2025
The inside centre showed his pace and power to score his side’s bonus-point try in a notable Scotstoun success.
On the rise
Doris was not the only Irishman to shine across the Channel, with his fellow back-rower Josh van der Flier immense alongside him in the back row.
Named Player of the Autumn Nations Series in 2024, the 31-year-old from Wicklow has started the new year as he ended the old one and put in an all-action display, rounded off by a match-winning charge down as Antoine Hastoy lined up a last-gasp drop goal.
The battle to wear numbers 6, 7 and 8 will be among the most hotly-contested this summer, such is the depth of quality in those areas, and Jac Morgan continues to make his case.
The Wales skipper was everywhere for Ospreys during his hour on the field in their 35-15 victory over Newcastle Falcons in the Challenge Cup and played a key role in Dan Kasende’s try during an impressive win for the region.
Of the English sides, Bath Rugby ran out 40-21 winners over Clermont-Auvergne with Ollie Lawrence putting in a notable performance in midfield.
He linked up brilliantly with Finn Russell and Max Ojomoh throughout as Bath cut through their 14-man opponents.
Finn Russell! 🏴
The Scotsman scores @BathRugby‘s second try of the game after just six minutes 🛁 #InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/KYhX1SwGjw
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 12, 2025
Russell was at his innovative best for the Blue, Black & White while his Scotland teammate Blair Kinghorn, playing on the wing, scored a fine try for Toulouse against Sharks, linking on to Thomas Ramos’ sublime offload to score in the corner.
Bolts from the blue
Henry Pollock is yet to make his senior England debut but continues to take each step up in his stride.
The flanker scored two tries for Northampton Saints, including a brilliant steal and run in from inside his own half, in their defeat at Stade Francais.
“This kid is DIFFERENT!” 🎙️
19-year-old Henry Pollock with his second try of the first half for @SaintsRugby 😇#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/JrNayPXnH1
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 11, 2025
Tom Jordan is another whose stock is rising and the versatile back, who impressed for Scotland in the autumn, put in an eye-catching display at fly-half for Glasgow against Racing.
Tom Ahern played a key role off the bench for Munster in their win over Saracens while Josh Hathaway’s raw speed was on show at Kingsholm as Gloucester Rugby downed Scarlets.
Keep an eye on…
It’s decision time for head coaches this week with squads set to be announced for the upcoming Six Nations.
Each of them have plenty of tough calls to make and those selected will be doing their utmost to put their names in the Lions frame by virtue of their performances in the Championship.
Wales are first up on Monday afternoon, with the remaining home nations to follow throughout the week.
