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On a weekend when the Six Nations title was sealed by a dominant England, there were those outside of Eddie Jones’ squad who advanced their claims to a British and Irish Lions jersey.
While Jonathan Joseph clearly impressed in his side’s 61-21 Twickenham triumph, Wales duo Rhys Webb and George North also caught the eye.
But, having been on the end of chastening defeats, it was not such a positive couple of days for Ireland and Scotland, with the likes of Conor Murray and Alex Dunbar seeing their selection hopes take a hit.
We take a look at which players boosted their chances of a seat on the plane to New Zealand and who will have to up their game in the final round of Six Nations matches next weekend.
Good week
Rhys Webb – Wales’ clash with Ireland was billed as a showdown between two leading Lions scrum-half hopefuls and it was Webb who shone above Conor Murray with a performance that surely perked up the interest of Warren Gatland. His control of the play was indicative of Wales’ overall display as they produced their best outing of the tournament in the 22-9 beating of Ireland.
George North – A man-of-the-match showing from North saw him score two tries to take his international tally to 30 from 68 caps. On this form, he is impossible to overlook.
Jonathan Joseph – Eddie Jones’ England dazzled at Twickenham, thrashing Scotland to wrap up the title, and nobody was more influential than hat-trick hero Joseph. Left out for the uninspiring win over Italy, Joseph returned to showcase his pace, power and deft footwork that had Scotland chasing shadows.
tries and an assist from Jonathan Joseph!
Is he in your Lions squad?#LionsWatch pic.twitter.com/trmokRUzeR
— British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) March 11, 2017
Bad week
Conor Murray – An early injury made Murray’s head-to-head with Webb a one-sided affair, but such setbacks are part and parcel of the game and the Munster star cannot pin his Lions hopes on receiving any sympathy from Gatland.
Robbie Henshaw – Mistakes are costly at the highest level and Henshaw was thrust into the spotlight in the most unwanted fashion against Wales, illegally joining a maul that cost Ireland a potentially pivotal try.
Alex Dunbar – Practically all of Vern Cotter’s men had a day to forget on Saturday, but Dunbar will fear that this display will be the one that Gatland remembers. The centre was out of sorts from the off and with only a match against Italy to come at the Six Nations, his Lions dream may have been dashed.
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