Lions - who has work to do?

With one final set of fixtures to go and players will be looking to have a storming final game to get that ticket on the plane to New Zealand this summer. Players that went on the last tour, that many assumed would be certs four years later, are looking below par. Als,o players hoping to get their first taste of a Lions tour will want to put in one final noticeable performance on the international scene. There are six players in particular that I feel have the biggest point to make on "Super Saturday".

Gatland will be having some sleepless nights as he tries to narrow down who he is taking to New Zealand.

Talupe Faletau

Faletau has been injured most of the season.

Four years ago Faletau was started the final test, and was ready to take off internationally, and no one can argue that he didn't. He has been one of the most consistently high-performance players in world rugby for Wales over the last four years. Excellent with ball in hand, brilliant link play with his scrum-half, exceptional from the back of a (retreating) scrum, and an incredibly hard grafter in the tight
exchanges too. However, this season has been a patchwork one for the Bath player, spending most of the year injured he has been supplanted by Ross Moriarty in the Welsh backrow all 6 Nations.

Against France he once again starts on the bench, so he will have to have an eye-catching display from reserve in Paris. His cameo against Ireland last weekend, producing a try among other actions will have pleased Warren Gatland who is probably looking at Faletau & Vunipola as he's two No. 8's, but he'll want to see more from the Welshman between now and April.

Tour Chance: Still high, but back row competition is the toughest arena for the Lions

Jamie Heaslip

Speaking of the back row competition, Jamie Heaslip is roaming amongst a bruising Irish back row at the minute, but his name has barely been mentioned by commentators. It hasn't been the most noticeable campaign from a player who was nominated for Player of the Year in 2016, but he is a proven performer who rarely has a poor game. The question is whether dependability is what is required on a five-week tour or is form the way to go?

Heaslip has struggled to impose himself on games.

We've already mentioned just how competitive the back row options are, even a short list throws up some selection issues: Stander, O'Brien, Warburton, Tipuric, Faletau, Vunipola, Haskell, Robshaw, Watson. Heaslip has excelled on tour consecutive Lion's tours but in the last four years he has been over taken by the English Vunipola and the Welsh Faletau. With places limited he will have to have an utterly dominating display as Ireland look to derail England's double Grand Slam efforts, against other Lion's favourite Billy Vunipola.

Tour Chance: He is struggling to get in with the obvious talent already at No. 8

Dylan Hartley

Hartley was favourite to be given the Lions captaincy at the end of the Autumn series, however, it seems the ten week ban he picked up for reckless actions in the Champions Cup has severely affected his form. The opening two rounds of matches he was virtually non-existent for England, only being observed at set pieces. Even in round three, he was seen more questioning the referee than having any meaningful impact on proceedings. Many have felt his short stay as England captain has reached its end, and the calls for Jamie George to replace him in the front row have become even stronger.

Additionally, Hartley hasn't been helped by the significant form showcased by his rivals. Ken Owens has been practically faultless at set-piece, while throwing his body around with reckless abandon and making double figure tackles every week. Fraser Brown - bar a copy-blotting yellow card against England - has been above many people's expectations and could be a bolter for the tour. And then there is other captain possibility Rory Best who's breakdown work has been a thorn in every team's side so far this tournament. Hartley will have the bonus of having won the 6 Nations on his side, but you can't be captain if you're not in the team, and something drastic will have to change if Gatland were to select him.

Tour Chance: Slipping away as others pull further ahead.

Hartley has seriously struggled for form after his ban, and his chances of being Lions captain have dropped.

George North

North was at his best against Ireland, can he
continue against France?

Four years ago I never thought I'd be questioning if George North would be going on the 2017 Lions Tour, and yet here we are. This season he has really struggled to showcase the ability that made him feared by most nations. Strangely though the end of the 15/16 season Wales were starting to see the terrifying force with ball in hand that everyone had witnessed in Australia, he scored in almost every game of the 6 Nations, and then had a storming first test against the All Blacks before picking up a tour-ending injury.

His defence has been a major sticking point this season, missing simple one on one tackles and seemingly afraid of picking up yet another concussion. Similarly, his impact in attack was little to write home about, making limited yardage and not touching the ball often enough. This changed against Ireland last weekend, he touched the ball within a minute, was battering into would be tacklers and made forceful tackles (especially from kick-off). If North can replicate that sort of game against France and continue with Northampton Saints he should be a safe bet for the tour, but he needs to prove Ireland wasn't a flash in the pan.

Tour Chance: Must prove he can perform consistently, but likely to go

Finn Russell

Utterly classy in the Champions Cup, even going so far as to out perform the legendary Dan Carter not once, but twice, for Glasgow. Russell is a classy fly half, someone who plays right on the gain line, not afraid to take the contact if it means someone else can make a break. What sets him apart from many others is his range of passing. Of all the first choice fly-halves in the British Isles I don't think any of them have the equisite passing ability of Russell. He has also stepped up to the goal kicking duties in the absence of the injured Laidlaw, and achieved excellent percentages.

Russell is a master passer for Scotland.

He will likely to aiming for the third choice fly-half slot on the tour behind Sexton and Farrell, meaning his rivals are George Ford and Dan Biggar. Ford arguably has a small advtanage because of England's success and his reputation with Farrell. However Ford can blow hot and cold, and the Lions can't afford to have a bad day against the Kiwi's. Russell provides a much more consistent player, if he can showcase he's complete repetoir against Italy in the opening fixture this weekend he stands a good chance of stealing the last fly-half slot on the tour.

Tour Chance: Good chance, but has to see of George Ford

Anthony Watson

Another player who a year ago was many people's - including my own - favourite to feature in the Lion's back three. A back three who are all strong under the high ball is required against and All Black's side that like to kick to contest, and Watson with his experience at full back gives you that solidity. Throw in his arch-predator finishing, the ability to score almost any chance of a try given to him, something the Lions will have to do if they want to win, and you have the perfect winger for a tour of New Zealand. However after getting injured shortly before the Autumn he is still struggling to come back to form, the biggest sight of this was a missed opportunity to score against Scotland that 12 months ago I would have expected him to get the ball down.

Watson is looking to return from injury with a bang.

His versatility still players heavily in his favour for a tour like this, but the back three is also looking like a competitive area with the likes of Simon Zebo, Liam Williams, Jack Nowell and others all pressing their case for inclusion. No one's position is safe on the wings and all players will be looking to put in one final - hopefully try scoring - performance that puts them ahead of their competitors. Watson needs to show off his ability to score, and support lines, the things that made him a first choice winger under Eddie Jones last year. He get's the chance to start against Ireland and has to take the opportunity with both hands.

Tour Chance: It's 50:50, could depend on the performances of others