Lions Watch

Skysports.com's weekly look at how next summer's Lions squad is taking shape.

Skysports.com's Tony Curtis assesses which Lions hopefuls shone during the third week of autumn internationals

There will not have been much to warm the heart of British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan at Twickenham as South Africa cut loose. Not only did the Springboks finally throw down a serious statement of intent, but a number of would-be Lions in the England side looked more like pussycats. Few in white emerged from Twickenham with credit as South Africa racked up a record win. In Wales, it was also a disappointing story as a New Zealand side that is still not firing on all cylinders completed the third win of their Grand Slam bid. However, in Dublin Ireland fought out a morale-boosting win over bitter rivals Argentina and Scotland completed an easy win against Canada. And overall across the home unions, there were a number of encouraging displays from players pushing for inclusion in the Lions squad - so skysports.com XV brings you its team based on the weekend's games... Your suggestions are very much welcome, no matter how abusive. Have we missed someone you thought was brilliant this weekend? Or have we picked someone who you felt had a nightmare? Let us know who you think via the form below...

15 Lee Byrne

The Wales full-back has been hammering on the door for selection all season according to a number of you - and he secures his place with an eye-catching display against the All Blacks. Byrne was solid in the tackle, able to clear danger with his booming boot and produced one scintillating break which really deserved a try.

14 Tommy Bowe

On a day when the forwards were happily getting stuck into one another, the Irish winger was the shining light in the backs and the only one who looked like he could break through the Pumas' defence. Deservedly scored late on when he picked up Ronan O'Gara's cross-field kick.

13 Ben Cairns

The Scottish centre retains his place in the side with another faultless display. Yes, Scotland may have been up against Canada but Cairns was a threat in attack and topped his performance with a try.

12 Jamie Roberts

The Cardiff man enjoyed a storming first 40 as he got stuck into the All Blacks. If he was not running hard at the New Zealand defence he was smashing into the tackles. Tired after the interval but never took a backward step.

11 Nikki Walker

The powerhouse winger celebrated the chance to play at Pittodrie - home of his beloved Aberdeen FC - with a try-scoring double. A real menace going forward, Walker is hard to stop in full flow while is not afraid to put his body on the line in defence.

10 Stephen Jones

The No.10 position is beginning to become a cause of concern with none of the home union fly-halves showing any consistency. However, out of Messrs Cipriani, Godman, O'Gara and Jones it was the Welsh No.10 that looked the most comfortable. Jones kicked well out of hand, while showed quick-thinking with a couple of encouraging breaks.

9 Mike Blair

The Scotland captain is quickly making the No.9 shirt his own. While Danny Care has only shown glimpses of his talent against South Africa and Australia, Blair has been Mr Consistent - whether he is up against New Zealand or Canada, he remains cool and composed.

1 Gethin Jenkins

The Wales scrum may not have been firing on all cylinders - although a lot of their problems came down to the struggling Adam Jones - Jenkins' play in the loose was immense. He was a willing runner and even more willing to hit the All Black attackers.

2 Rory Best

On current form it is between the Ulsterman and Ross Ford for the Lions No.2 shirt. Best has created understanding with his key lineout jumpers and did not put a foot wrong after coming off the bench after 14 minutes against Argentina.

3 Euan Murray

The Scottish prop has undeniably made the tighthead position his own in the skysports.com XV and is likely to be handed the No.3 shirt in South Africa. The Canadian front-row might not be as fearsome as the All Blacks or South Africa, but he gave them a thorough working over nevertheless.

4 Paul O'Connell

In the heat of a battle, there are few players that you'd want alongside you above O'Connell. As tempers flared in Dublin, O'Connell ruffled more than a few feathers as he went nose-to-nose with the Pumas.

5 Donncha O'Callaghan

South Africa have their famed Matfield-Botha combination in the second row, and the Lions would not go far wrong in putting an O'Connell-O'Callaghan pairing in against them. O'Callaghan certainly rose to the challenge in Dublin and proved he is a world-class second row.

6 Stephen Ferris

The Ulsterman perhaps doesn't get the plaudits he deserves, particularly given the quality of back-rowers in Ireland. However he is quickly proving himself to be a top-drawer operator on the flank.

7 Tom Rees

The only England player who could really leave Twickenham with his head held high. He got stuck into the South African back-row and outshone them at times. It is a shame others couldn't follow his example...

8 Jamie Heaslip

Another player you have been banging the drum for and he did his Lions chances no harm at all in a forward-dominated display in Dublin. Looked good getting down and dirty on the deck, but it is in the loose he looked awesome.

Unlucky to miss out

Rory Lamont, Luke Fitzgerald, Ronan O'Gara. Tomas O'Leary. Ross Ford, John Hayes, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Alun Wyn-Jones, Alasdair Strokosch, James Haskell, David Wallace, Simon Taylor.

Stuart Barnes' Lions Mover

Every week in his skysports.com column, Sky Sports' voice of rugby Stuart Barnes will be giving us his unique insight on a Lions contender he has seen at first-hand over the weekend.
Click here for Stuart's latest thoughts