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.
Ireland moved into pole position in the race for the Guinness Six Nations, while England left it late to upset France in an all-time Allianz Stadium classic.
Ireland beat Scotland 32-18 at Scottish Gas Murrayfield and are the only team to win two from two heading into the first fallow week, while Elliot Daly’s late try reignited England’s title bid.
Fly-half battle heats up
The Lions’ No.10 jersey has been worn by some of the all-time greats and is always the subject of much intrigue. This summer, Andy Farrell has no shortage of options. With the likes of Finn Russell, Marcus Smith and Jack Crowley all in contention, he has a rich pool of talent at his disposal – one that now surely includes England’s Fin Smith and Ireland’s Sam Prendergast. Smith was thrust into the spotlight and handed a first Test start as England hosted France and looked right at home on the biggest stage. The 22-year-old was named Player of the Match and set-up Daly’s last-minute match-winning try as England won at the death. Smith, surrounded by Northampton Saints teammates Alex Mitchell, Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman, admitted that the nerves had got to him a little in the first half. But the way he seized control of proceedings after the break vindicated the decision to give him the start.
A deft cross-field kick was bang on the money for a leaping Freeman to catch and score, while he showed incredible poise under pressure to put Daly through a gap to cross for the dramatic winning try. He even took over kicking duties from namesake Marcus Smith after a couple of missed shots at goal and had the honour of slotting the winning conversion, doing so from in front, to complete a famous victory. A day later, Farrell was in Edinburgh to watch Prendergast deliver his own Player of the Match display in Ireland’s 32-18 win. Prendergast’s distribution was outstanding, with a long, looping pass setting up Calvin Nash for Ireland’s first try, and he helped keep Ireland on the front foot and stave off a period of Scottish pressure when the hosts scored 11 unanswered points.
Curry thrives in back-row battle
Tom Curry started all three Tests against South Africa in 2021 and his performance against France was one of a man who is desperate to win three more caps against Australia. Curry was excellent against France, ripping the ball from Antoine Dupont and also winning a huge turnover in the first half amid a French onslaught. His performance was one of several notable ones from back-row players. Caelan Doris scored a try for Ireland, while Josh van der Flier covered every blade of grass. Jack Conan – who played No.8 in South Africa – was immense off the bench and scored a try.
Meanwhiles, Wales might have lost 22-15 to Italy, but openside flanker Jac Morgan and No.8 Taulupe Faletau were excellent. Morgan topped the tackle charts, while Faletau’s carrying packed a meaningful punch.
Home nations weekend on the horizon
After two weeks of drama, the Six Nations takes one-week break to allow the United Rugby Championship and Premiership Rugby Cup to take centre stage. But Round 3 brings one of the most eagerly-awaited set of fixtures in a Lions year, with two home nations match-ups. Wales host Ireland and England play Scotland on the middle Saturday, a weekend that will not only prove crucial in the race for the trophy, but also be vital for Lions hopefuls.
