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Most of the action last week was in the Guinness Premiership, where several performances will no doubt have come to the attention of the Lions selectors.

Interestingly, most of the stand-out English performers have yet to nail down a place in Martin Johnson's national side, and are likely to pose selection problems for his amended elite players squad, due to be announced next week.

The good

Mike Tindall (Gloucester and England)

Overlooked by England for their November series, Tindall (pictured) has hit a rich vein of form as Gloucester maintain their Premiership challenge. The 2003 World Cup winner produced another outstanding effort in the Cherry and Whites' 22-16 win over Saracens and is surely in line for a recall for the Six Nations. At his best, Tindall is a handful for any defence and, after missing the 2005 tour through injury, the powerful centre will be determined to take advantage of his last chance of touring with the Lions.

Stephen Jones (Scarlets and Wales)

Five penalties and two conversions helped Jones to the man-of-match award in the Scarlets' 29-24 victory over Newport-Gwent Dragons and maintained his challenge for one of the fly-half spots in Ian McGeechan's squad. Jones may not be the most flamboyant of stand-offs in the British Isles and Ireland, but he has the full range of skills and composure that could yet see him secure the Test jersey.

Shane Geraghty (London Irish and England)

Injury has restricted the highly-talented Exiles back from building on his two England caps, but a brilliant all-round display in London Irish's 48-8 thumping of Newcastle last weekend could earn him a recall to Johnson's side for the Six Nations opener with Italy. Geraghty burst on to the international scene two years ago when he came off the bench to orchestrate a surprise win over France and although he has yet to establish himself in the England set-up - mostly due to injury - there is little doubt the 22-year-old has what it takes to be a success at the highest level.

Ian Humphreys (Ulster and Ireland A)

Has yet to make his senior international debut, but judging by his man-of-the-match performance in Ulster's superb 37-11 win at Munster, an Ireland call-up may not be far away. An attack-minded fly-half, Humphreys honed his skills during three seasons in the Premiership with Leicester, before returning to Ulster last summer. Clearly there are several more established stand-offs ahead of him in terms of Lions selection, not least his countryman Ronan O'Gara, but if he keeps guiding Ulster to famous wins then his stock will continue to rise.

Tom Croft (Leicester and England)

England have yet to get the best from the supremely-athletic Croft, but recent displays for Leicester - which have seen him score three tries in their last two games - are proof that the flanker is in top form. Croft is one of the quickest in the England squad and his speed and superb lineout skills will make it hard for Lions selectors to ignore him. The wily Ian McGeechan is likely to know how best to use Croft's array of talents.

Ben Foden (Northampton and England Saxons)

Highly versatile and blessed with real pace, Foden is fast becoming a replica of former England stalwart Austin Healey. First made his name as a scrum-half at Sale, but was later used in the back three before moving to Northampton last summer. Was at full-back last weekend in the Saints' 30-8 drubbing of Bristol, when he set up their first try and scored the second himself. The 23-year-old may be well down the pecking order for the Lions, but his versatility at scrum-half, wing and full-back will not have gone unnoticed by selectors.

The not so good

Danny Cipriani (Wasps and England)

The Wasps star showed glimpses of his pre-injury form by landing three penalties and helping set up a try in the win over Harlequins, but he again suffered two charge downs, the second of which led to a try. England have conceded three tries directly from Cipriani being charged down, and if the worrying trait continues then the Lions selectors could deem him too much of a risk. Needs to work hard on his kicking from hand and prove in the next couple of months that it is not a liability.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport