British & Irish Lions news: Eight players Andy Farrell must select for Australia tour

Ahead of a much-anticipated tour to Australia, British & Irish Lions coach and chief selector Andy Farrell will no doubt have been an avid watcher of the first three rounds of the Six Nations.

Over the last month, some players have firmly put themselves in the selection frame through electric performances, while others have done quite the opposite.

Although Australian rugby is no longer at its best, the Lions remain a cultural and sporting institution, with competition for tour places accordingly high.

Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett takes a look at the men playing their way into Farrell’s thoughts.

Wales

Jac Morgan is an exceptional player, consistently leading from the front in a team which often struggles.

With the third-most tackles made in this year’s Six Nations (48) – only two behind leader Sebastian Negri – Morgan has been inspirational for his struggling nation. 

Against Ireland, Morgan was at the very centre of the Welsh fight, directing the team as captain and flying into everyone.

There is now a distinct possibility that he could make the Lions number 7 shirt his own.

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England

There were question marks over Fin Smith’s ability to back up his performance in the France game, but he delivered the perfect rebuttal to that argument against the Scots.

With limited passing opportunities afforded to him due to Borthwick’s attacking structure, Smith had to kick well under pressure and that he did.

Then, after Marcus Smith had taken over the kicking duties and gone three for three, he coolly stepped up to nail a penalty from just in front of the halfway line.

Fin was a standout performer in defence too, making the most tackles by an England player, including a massive shot on Scottish inside centre Tom Jordan.

The Northampton Saints star certainly deserves a shot at that 10 jersey in Australia now.

Tommy Freeman – another Saints player – also had a great time against the Scots.

Despite scoring a questionable try, he was electric on the wing and played well off the shoulders of the two Smiths. 

Freeman is undoubtedly in some very good form and that might be enough to earn him a look at those ever-competitive 11 or 14 Lions jerseys.

Likewise, Will Stuart has been quietly excellent for England of late, despite props not always getting the recognition that they deserve.

During a very impressive 70 minutes at tighthead, he went about his work perfectly, not losing a single scrum and providing the perfect balance to the rampaging Ellis Genge. 

With the Lions number 3 shirt often lacking in depth of choice, Stuart could very well find his way onto the plane. 

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Scotland

Duhan van der Merwe was once again England’s worst nightmare last Saturday.

The first-ever player to win the Calcutta Cup Player of the Match three times in a row, the Scottish winger was electric at Twickenham.

Tactically, Scotland looked to isolate the English outside defence using their giant number 11, and the idea worked brilliantly as he ran in a try and an assist.

Based on current form, the Edinburgh star has to start that all-important first Test against Australia.

Blair Kinghorn is another man who had a quietly outstanding game against the English.

He is, by all accounts, having an exceptional tournament on a personal level.

The Toulouse star has come into his own in that 15 shirt, gaining the most metres in this year’s competition (365.5).

His counter-attacking ability is second to none and his experience with running rugby at club level has translated fantastically to his performances in a blue shirt.

With Ireland’s Hugo Keenan competing for the same spot as Kinghorn, it will be interesting to see who Farrell goes for.

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Ireland

Bundee Aki made a massive impact off the bench against the Welsh, literally as well as figuratively.

His ability to create momentum off set pieces is invaluable and the tempo with which Ireland plays is often a by-product of his sheer physicality.

For many, he is a clear starter in that 12 shirt come the summer, possibly alongside Sione Tuipulotu if the Scottish captain returns in time. 

Jamison Gibson-Park has long been regarded as the ‘second-best’ scrum-half in the world – behind the ever-brilliant Antoine Dupont – and for good reason.

The New Zealand-born Irishman was exceptional against Wales, offering a much-needed sense of control against a fired-up home side.

He was also adept at exiting from inside the 22, taking pressure off fellow Leinster half-back Prendergast in the process.

The Irish star is surely a shoo-in for the Lions starting scrum-half position under the tutelage of his national team coach Farrell.

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