British and Irish Lions possibles: Which contenders pressed their claim after Six Nations openers

With the Six Nations opening astatine the play respective players made their claims to publication themselves a spot for the Lions circuit against Australia successful the summertime with Andy Farrell watching on

The Six Nations has kicked disconnected with the archetypal circular of matches completed.

Ireland produced an inspired second-half show to down England 27-22 successful Dublin portion Wales' miserable clip continued 24 hours earlier. They were obliterated by favourites France, who failed to concede a constituent successful their 43-0 win.

Scotland registered a 31-19 triumph implicit Italy but not earlier overcoming a stubborn fightback from the Azzurri, who astatine 1 constituent had tied the crippled 19-19.

And connected the backmost of that opening play respective players person already built a lawsuit for their inclusion successful the British and Irish Lions this summer. Head manager Andy Farrell volition beryllium utilizing the Six Nations arsenic an fantabulous barometer arsenic helium plots his squad to circuit Down Under.

Ireland, eyeing a 3rd consecutive Six Nations, volition beryllium tipped to marque up the bulk of the squad portion determination are chances that determination volition beryllium a beardown Scottish contingent. Those from Wales volition beryllium fearing for their places.

We instrumentality a look astatine 3 players who furthered their lawsuit for British and Irish Lions selection.

Dan Sheehan (Ireland)

After suffering a superior genu wounded against South Africa successful July past twelvemonth Sheehan returned to the Aviva Stadium turf. Coming disconnected the seat astatine the 50-minute people for lone his 2nd quality since that injury, helium enactment connected a match-turning show against England and showed however helium tin play a large relation successful Australia.

Sheehan's all-court excellence was precise overmuch disposable successful Ireland’s 4th effort of the crippled arsenic a delicate tip-on enactment Jack Conan into a spread to make the archetypal burst earlier the 26-year-old produced a walk to acceptable James Lowe away. Ireland looked each the amended aft having him backmost and Farrell, who was watching on, would person been pleased.

Speaking connected the Six Nations Rugby special, erstwhile Scotland skipper John Barclay praised Sheehan’s cameo, saying: “His power disconnected the seat successful a 30-minute cameo conscionable showed helium is streets up astatine hooker. He is the world's champion hooker.”

George Martin

Martin brought plentifulness of physicality successful England’s outing against Ireland. Moreover, helium adjacent had a mates of notable hits to stall momentum and did not miss immoderate of his 14 tackle attempts.

England’s lineout besides functioned good contempt having to sacrifice an other jumper. While it could mean that they did not endanger their opponents arsenic overmuch arsenic they could have, Maro Itoje and Martin ensured stableness successful set-pieces and possession.

Next up for England is France and it is imaginable that Steve Borthwick picks Ollie Chessum for the clash. However, the beingness of Martin gives England a tactical flexibility.

Rory Darge

Despite not being the biggest backmost row, Scotland’s co-captain has bulked up his ball-carrying. The 24-year-old enactment connected an awesome show against Italy and barged implicit for Scotland's opening try.

Darge recorded astir 28 post-contact metres successful 13 carries, which was Scotland's third-highest full successful their crippled against Italy. One cannot undermine his breakdown enactment arsenic it has ever been fantabulous and helium won 2 turnovers arsenic Scotland held disconnected Italy to unafraid a victory.

Farrell present has an unenviable task of picking conscionable a manus afloat of players for the backmost row, wherever determination is immense contention and quality, but the Scot has decidedly made a beardown lawsuit for himself.

Notable absentees from Round 1 of Six Nations

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso missed circular 1 of the Six Nations owed to a enarthrosis injury. He remains a uncertainty for the remainder of the tournament. The England helping has enjoyed a accelerated emergence with his gait and explosive powerfulness immense assets that person made him a indispensable for a batch of people.

Tadhg Furlong, Ireland’s experienced tight-head prop, missed the opener against England with a calf strain. He has been connected the past 2 tours and has started the past six Tests for the Lions.

Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland skipper was ruled retired of the Six Nations with a pectoral wounded but has been different standout performer for the Lions. Meanwhile, Dewi Lake, the Welsh hooker, is expected to instrumentality backmost successful enactment towards the extremity of the tournament.