Time and tide wait for no man. Age, form and injury suggest just a third of 2021 British & Irish Lions touring party will make the 2025 squad for the series in Australia.
Leinster player ratings: Leinster delivered an impressive performance in front of the 18,000 or so fans packed in the Aviva, showcasing flashes of brilliance in attack while keeping the Lions’ threats at bay for most of the game.
Rassie Erasmus helped engineer the first Rugby Championship win in 15 years but there are still areas that need improving
Who are the rising stars and fresh faces to keep an eye on throughout the coming months?
It’s now less than a year to go until the British & Irish Lions face Australia in the first Test of the 2025 tour in Brisbane and, while there’s still a season for players to play their way in, the starting XV is starting to take shape and as many Scots as Englishmen are in it for me.
South African player ratings: South Africa got back in the win column following their loss to Ireland a week ago as they downed a spirited Portugal side 64 - 21 in Bloemfontein.