Skysports.com's Joe Drabble names his Lions XV based on the second round of RBS Six Nations games.
Skysports.com's Joe Drabble names his Lions XV based on the second round of RBS Six Nations games.
Another pulsating weekend of Six Nations rugby has been and gone and now it is time to reflect on which players did their British & Irish Lions chances no harm at all.
The game of the weekend undoubtedly came at the Millennium Stadium where Wales and England matched each other blow for blow until the hosts edged clear.
Ireland showed flashes of their best as they maintained their Grand Slam challenge with a second half romp in Rome.
In Paris, Scotland matched France for 40 minutes and on another day Fulgence Ouedraogo's controversial try would not have been given and the visitors could have snatched a win.
Two important things for you all to remember before you scrutinise this team too much...
Firstly, the XV is judged solely on each player's
last performance.
Secondly, only the
Six Nations fixtures were considered - Danny Cipriani fans, that one is for you.
And please post your own views below...
15 Delon Armitage
It was England's No.15 who won the battle of the full-backs this weekend. The London Irish star capped a solid display with a superbly taken try to bring England back into the game in Cardiff.
14 Leigh Halfpenny
The 20-year-old Welshman is rapidly tuning into one of the most feared wingers in world rugby. A try, a penalty and a constant handful - Halfpenny will be a Lions starter on this showing.
13 Riki Flutey
Undoubtedly Flutey's best game in an England shirt came on Saturday evening. The Wasps centre was involved in both tries and asked plenty of questions with ball in hand.
12 Max Evans
One of only two Scotsmen to make their way into the team this week in what was largely a disappointing away day in Paris. Evans' pace and intelligent running caused numerous problems for the French back-line.
11 Tommy Bowe
Irishman Bowe pairs up with Halfpenny to form a devastating wing attack. The 24-year-old scored the try of the weekend with a 60-yard burst to get Ireland going in Rome.
10 Stephen Jones
The Wales No.10 proved to be the difference between Wales and England after booting over 15 points in Cardiff. His contribution in defence should not be overlooked either.
9 Tomas O'Leary
The Irishman justified Declan Kidney's decision to retain him ahead of Peter Stringer at number nine. The Munster man was the stand-out scrum-half this weekend with an assured display in both attack and defence.
8 Jamie Heaslip
A fine performance from the Leinster No.8. He drove the Emerald Isle on in the second half and such performances should see him on the plane to South Africa in the summer.
7 Joe Worsley
Handed a recall by Martin Johnson and boy didn't he take his chance. Didn't give Jamie Roberts or Andy Powell an inch of the Millennium Stadium turf and was England's rock throughout.
6 Ryan Jones
An inspiration before and during what was a huge win for Wales in their quest to retain the Six Nations championship. Superb in the line-out and on the floor as the Welsh skipper put his name back in the frame to lead the Lions in the summer.
5 Kelly Brown
On as an 18th minute replacement for Jim Hamilton and the Glasgow flanker did a fine job in the forward line with little success. Was unlucky to have a try disallowed.
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
One of many Irish players guilty of a below-par first half but upped his game in the second to help claim a vital away win.
3 Marcus Horan
Yes, yes I am aware Horan plays at loose-head but as no tight-heads stood out this weekend he is going to do a job for me at No.3. Another solid shift from the Irishman against an uncompromising Azzurri scrum.
2 Matthew Rees
The best of an uninspiring weekend of performances from the home nation's hookers but Rees was the pick of the bunch in Cardiff.
1 Gethin Jenkins
Along with Ryan Jones, Jenkins bossed the forward line for Wales and was powerful in the scrum. A near certainty for the summer trip.
Unlucky to miss out:
Paul Sackey, Rob Kearney, Alun-Wyn Jones, Martyn Williams, James Haskell, Mike Blair, Jason White, Paul O'Connell, Denis Leamy, Thom Evans, Luke Fitzgerald.
