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 Eddison.

The return of European rugby gave British & Irish Lions contenders a chance to stake their claims for a place in Andy Farrell’s squad for the Tour to Australia once more.

In the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, there was no shortage of cross-border action as a number of players stepped up in big moments.

Willis seizes opportunity against Sale

While many players were able to make a strong case for Lions inclusion during the Guinness Men's Six Nations, Jack Willis has had to show patience with England not selecting players based overseas.

Andy Farrell has confirmed that there will no such restrictions for the Lions, however, meaning that Willis is very much in contention, provided he can prove his worth in a fiercely competitive back-row battle.

For Toulouse on Sunday, he certainly relished that challenge, taking on a Sale Sharks team who started with both Tom and Ben Curry.

He grabbed a try after just two minutes and ended up as the Player of the Match, with some crucial turnovers and powerful carries helping Toulouse take control of the game in the second half.

That is not to say he had it all his own way. Tom Curry might have departed midway through the first half, but Ben had a big showing, even brushing off Willis to set up Sale’s first try.

With no Antoine Dupont for the rest of the season, Toulouse will be asking for even more from Willis in the coming weeks, starting with a trip to Toulon in the quarter-finals next week.

Leinster contingent shine with Farrell in the house

Andy Farrell was in the stands at a sunny Croke Park on Saturday as Leinster delivered a statement performance, beating Harlequins 62-0.

Following three successive final defeats, Leinster are looking to go one better and they were outstanding across the board to set up a quarter-final clash with Glasgow Warriors.

Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose served up reminders of their class as they bid for a first Lions selection, while Sam Prendergast showed some sensational aerial skills as well as pulling the strings in a dominant display.

Add in two tries for James Lowe and yet another score for Dan Sheehan, and there were plenty of players in blue putting their hands up for a red jersey this summer.

Freeman and Pollock continue rich vein of form

Tommy Freeman might have swapped an England shirt for a Northampton one, but it has made no difference to his scoring form.

The winger notched a try in every round of the Six Nations and was just as devastating on Friday night as he helped himself to a hat-trick against Clermont Auvergne.

While the first two tries were largely about being in the right place at the right time, the third showed the sort of incisive running angle that can cut open any defence.

Another man in flying form for Saints is Henry Pollock, who was again exceptional, with a big turnover followed by a quick tap setting up Freeman’s opener.

Pollock also maintained his own fine try-scoring run with a try late on as he continues his push for a place on the plane.

Challenge Cup gives more chances to impress

It was not just in the Champions Cup that players were showing what they could do.

A week on from facing off in the URC, Ospreys and Scarlets went head-to-head once more, this time with the former coming out on top.

Jac Morgan was very impressive once again, grabbing a try, but perhaps the biggest takeaway was the performance of Dewi Lake in his first start since returning from injury.

He also got over for a try and will hope to put a run of games together to push for a place in Andy Farrell’s squad.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh did enough to reach the quarter-finals on Friday night by beating the Lions, with Darcy Graham at his electric best and Jamie Ritchie picking up from where he left off in the Six Nations.

Edinburgh host the Bulls now with the chance of a home semi-final against either Bath or Gloucester the reward should they win that one – as well as another chance to catch Farrell’s eye.

On the subject of Farrells, Owen made his first start since coming back from injury, helping Racing 92 to a win away at Perpignan – where Ritchie will ply his trade next season.

The French side will now head to Connacht to try to get the better of the competition’s top seeds.