Lions Watch: Underhill brilliant on both sides of the ball

With Wales conceding a record number of points at home to Australia and England coming off second-best to South Africa, it was another sobering weekend for the Home Nations.

Ireland did at least bounce back from their disappointing loss at the hands of the All Blacks with a hard-fought 22-19 victory against Argentina, albeit they weren’t very convincing, while Scotland did what they had to against Portugal, scoring nine tries in a thumping 59-21 win against Portugal.

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Again, it was a difficult weekend for individuals to shine but as the clock ticks down on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia next year, some players pressed forward their claims for a place on the plane to Australia.

We’ve identified five players from the Autumn Nations Series – some rookies and some more established stars – that are likely to have caught the eye of Lions coach Andy Farrell.

Tom Jordan (Scotland)
We picked him last week and he’s forced our hand again with another classy display, at full-back initially and then in his more accustomed role at fly-half following a backline reshuffle in the game against Portugal. Speculation in the week that he is Bristol-bound in the summer might have distracted less strong-minded players but not Jordan who doesn’t appear to be fazed by anything.  Jordan is averaging five tackle breaks and 91 metres gained per game since making his debut against Fiji.

Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
Like Jordan, Osborne falls into the bolter category given his relative lack of international experience. But the 23-year-old seems to bring something different to what has looked at times a rather ponderous Irish backline. He, too, is another who can slot into more than one position and as our man on the spot, Ian Cameron wrote, Osborne “looked sharp and hungry” in the 18 minutes he was on the field. The Leinster man was namechecked by Farrell after a cameo which included two tackle breaks and a line break.

Marcus Smith (England)
Another to make the cut for the second week running. With Finn Russell rested for Scotland’s game against Portugal, Smith stole a march on his main rival for the Lions No.10 jersey with a quality all-round display against the best team in the world. Brings the best of himself and the best out of others with his repertoire of skills. Showed his vision and coolness under pressure when faking a drop goal attempt which led to Ollie Sleightholme’s try.

Sam Underhill (England)
Touch wood, Underhill’s injuries woes are behind him because he brings so much to the England team. The Bath man has always been a destructive tackler and superb over the ball but has added real venom now to his carries and is consistently hitting good lines, as he showed for his try against the Springboks. Could be crucial to England and the Lions if Tom Curry’s bad luck continues. His departure with 13 minutes to go coincided with England’s decline.

Tom Rogers (Wales)
It would be a stretch for the five-cap, 25-year-old Test novice to get one of the Lions spots on the wing given the ridiculous amounts of talent available to Andy Farrell, but his performance against Australia was the only bright spot on the darkest of days for Welsh international rugby. One thing that works in his favour is his aerial ability – a quality that all good Test wingers need now that kick-to-compete kicking is very much in vogue. Rogers ruled the skies and looked sharp in attack, as well as racing back to make a try-saving tackle.