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.
This weekend brought the latest round of domestic action before European knockout rugby takes centre stage.
Some internationals were given another weekend off with that in mind but there were plenty of Lions hopefuls on show – and several impressed…
Williams has Kingsholm purring
Gloucester Rugby earned the West Country bragging rights with a 53-28 victory over Bristol Bears at Kingsholm, with Welsh scrum-half Tomos Williams to the fore.
The hosts were at their free-flowing best, running in nine tries to make a statement of intent in their push for a play-off spot.
Perhaps the standout moment came courtesy of their star No.9, who showed glimpses of his basketball youth by claiming Christian Wade’s pass one-handed before releasing a ‘no-look’ pass to set up Seb Atkinson for Gloucester’s bonus-point try.
Both Wade and Atkinson went on to score hat-tricks while TNT Sports pundit Danny Care, who knows a thing or two about scrum-halves, believes a summer Down Under should be on the cards for Williams.
“Tomos Williams is the signing of the season,” he said.
“For me, he definitely goes on the Lions tour if I was selecting it. He’s a brilliant player, he’s really energised that squad.”
Pollock continues eye-catching progress
Henry Pollock was the name on plenty of lips following his seamless introduction to international rugby and he has taken that form back into a Northampton Saints jersey.
He saved perhaps his best try yet for Friday night at Sale Sharks, bursting through two tackles and chipping down the line before claiming his own kick to finish off a try a wing would have been proud of, never mind a back row.
Ben Kay, who toured as a Lion in 2005, said: "He is staking his claim. We were all thinking it's too early, but if you're playing this style, we've seen some players go before, right at the beginning of their international journey.
"Maybe not going as first choice, but in the squad and then something happens along the way. He's definitely in the conversation."
His fellow TNT Sports pundit Ugo Monye added: "I don't think it is too early to talk about him and the tour to Australia. He is on fire. He's flying. That sense of positivity; it's so infectious, things do happen around him. I'm a fan."
Crowley stars for Munster
Jack Crowley picked up the Player of the Match honours after guiding Munster past Connacht in the URC.
The Ireland fly-half scored a try and kicked 10 points off the tee as his side ran out 30-24 winners in Castlebar, Co Mayo, despite playing 55 minutes with 14 men after Alex Nankivell was sent off.
Crowley was pulling the strings throughout in a seriously impressive display while his Ireland teammate Tadhg Beirne was another of Munster’s standout players.
Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen grew into the game for Connacht but couldn’t inspire a turnaround despite their man advantage.
Murray helps Scarlets claim spoils
Blair Murray was a bright light in a tough Guinness Men’s Six Nations campaign for Wales and he has continued his impressive form since returning to the URC.
The flying full-back started Scarlets’ comeback in their derby against Ospreys, crossing for the home side’s first try as they came from 17-0 down to win 38-22 in front of a crowd of 11,384 in Llanelli.
Jac Morgan also made his return to captain Scarlets having sat out last weekend following his impressive displays for Wales.
