Rugby Union News

News

  • News
  • Teams
  • Competitions
  • Fixtures
  • Results
  • Tables
  • Video
  • Pundits
  • On Sky
  • Scores
  • Sky Bet

Lions XV

Sky Sports rugby union writer Tony Curtis names his Lions line-up based on the fourth weekend in the RBS Six Nations

By Tony Curtis - Follow me on Twitter @SkysportsTC

Last Updated: 11/03/13 9:30am

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland will have seen plenty to impress him over the tournament so far but places remain up for grabs.

And despite the weather doing its best to disrupt the rugby, a number of players put their hands up for inclusion.

Once again Sky Sports rugby union writer Tony Curtis puts his head above the parapet to name his Lions XV based purely on this weekend's action.

15 Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)

The Wales full-back must surely have his bags packed for Australia already. Yet another impressive performance saw Halfpenny landed 23 points and outshine rival No 15 Stuart Hogg.

14 Sean Maitland (Scotland)

The New Zealand-born winger is always going to divide opinion after being fast-tracked into the Scotland side but he could have yet played his way into Lions contention. He was Scotland's biggest threat going forward against Wales.

13 Manu Tuilagi (England)

Tuilagi was well-shackled in attack however he still showed an unyielding willingness to do the hard yards with the ball in hand. His defence was superb too as the Italian pushed hard for a first-ever victory over England.

12 Jamie Roberts (Wales)

Although he might not have been as effective going forward on a day when the referee was taking centre stage, Roberts defensive effort was supreme. He was a rock in the Welsh back division to ensure Scotland could find no way through.

11 George North (Wales)

May not have scored on this occasion, but North was a menace throughout and his sheer size and physicality meant the Scotland defence had to pay him special attention. He made one storming run and should have done enough to book his place on the plane to Australia.

10 Paddy Jackson (Ireland)

Not a great weekend for the No 10s but Jackson gets the nod after atoning for his kicking nightmare at Murrayfield with an assured display. A big outsider to be heading to Australia but has a bright future ahead if he can build on this performance.

9 Conor Murray (Ireland)

The weather conditions were far from ideal in Dublin but the Ireland No 9 got down and dirty with an impressive display. Kept France on the back foot with an intelligent kicking game.

1 Mako Vunipola (England)

From the first scrum, Vunipola got stuck into the Italians. He dealt with Martin Castrogiovanni with ease and was impressive in the loose - even throwing out a pass that most No 10s would have been proud of.

2 Rory Best (Ireland)

Another player who looks nailed on for the Lions. He is a monster in defence and rampant in the loose. Also did enough to silence those that have criticised his lineout throwing in the past.

3 Adam Jones (Wales)

Has well and truly banished those injury blues and looks back to his best. The battle for the Lions No 3 shirt between him and Dan Cole is set to go to the wire, but Jones proved once again that he has the edge in the scrums.

4 Donnacha Ryan (Ireland)

The Ireland lock seems to get better week after week and is playing himself into contention to tour Australia. He was superb in the lineout and hard to stop in the loose.

5 Joe Launchbury (England)

A heroic shift from the Wasps and England lock. He played on despite an elbow injury but never gave an inch in attack and defence.

6 Ryan Jones (Wales)

Another superb outing from the Wales captain before injury brought a premature end to his game. He has matured well and looks a class act in the No 6 jersey.

7 Sam Warburton (Wales)

He is back! Warburton gave a timely reminder of his talents with his best display in the red shirt for a long time. He dominated the breakdown situation and was simply class throughout.

8 Toby Faletau (Wales)

The scary fact is that there is still so much more to come from Faletau. He did everything asked of him in defence while he gave Wales that go forward they needed with the ball in hand.

Also See:

  • Experts
  • Rugby on Sky
  • Scores
  • Highlights
  • £10 Free Bet
  • Twitter

Trending

  • 1
    Neville on Simeone for Arsenal
  • 2
    Wenger breaks silence on exit
  • 3
    Wenger 'hurt' by Arsenal fans
  • 4
    Khan wants Brook over world title
  • 5
    Pep: De Bruyne deserves PFA award
  • 6
    Wenger coy on life after Arsenal
  • 7
    Klopp: We were 'pretty sure' on Salah
  • 8
    McLaren readying big upgrade
  • 9
    Moyes fumes after Rice error
  • 10
    Pep: We won it my way
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
    • Winter Olympics
    • Commonwealth Games
    • Joshua vs Parker
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Team Sky
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Clubs in Communities
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Living for Sport
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2018 Sky UK