Lions 2009 - Lions Watch

Eurosport - Fri, 20 Feb 15:06:00 2009

Eurosport takes a look at some of the players who boosted their Lions standing during the second round of the Six Nations.

RUGBY Tom Shanklin, Wales, Six Nations, 2007 - 0

Wales and Ireland took an early grip on the Six Nations table with their second wins of the championship, while England produced a much-improved performance despite their defeat in Cardiff.

Scotland went down again in France and their players will struggle to book seats on the plane to South Africa unless they can change a run of results that has seen them lose nine of their last 10 Six Nations games.

The good

Tom Shanklin (Wales)

Considered by many to be the most underrated player in Europe, Shanklin (pictured) has been a more-than-able stand-in for the injured Gavin Henson. With Joe Worsley man-marking his centre partner Jamie Roberts, Shanklin took on more of the workload with some typical bursts through the England midfield.

Riki Flutey (England)

May not have the physical attributes to make the Lions Test team, but Flutey was England's best attacking weapon against Wales and is getting better with every international he plays. An intelligent footballer with a lethal step, Flutey provides an alternative to the direct approach of his rivals for the Lions jersey.

Jerry Flannery (Ireland)

Looks to have made the Ireland starting spot his own and is now favourite for the Lions hooking role thanks to two impressive performances in the Six Nations. Helped Ireland overcome a difficult Italy pack with a superb display in the loose and was reliable and accurate with his throwing into the lineout.

Leigh Halfpenny (Wales)

Quality oozes from everything the 20-year-old does, and another impressive, try-scoring outing against England puts him firmly on the Lions radar. Despite his tender years, Halfpenny has fitted seamlessly into the Wales side and England must wish they could do the same with the array of young talent across the Severn Bridge.

Ian Gough (Wales)

Seems to be getting better with age and was a real physical presence against a fired-up England pack. Followed a huge hit on Nick Easter early in the game with another on Dylan Hartley late on, proving he can last the full 80 minutes. The Springboks are not short of bulk up front and if Gough can continue to use his to good effect then he could work his way into contention for the Test team.

Luke Fitzgerald (Ireland)

Grabbed a brace in the hard-fought win over Italy and one of several young Ireland backs making their mark at international level. Although just 21, Fitzgerald has a huge appetite for the game and the fact he can play centre and wing will only boost his chances of making the Lions squad.

Andrew Sheridan (England)

The Sale man-mountain is not yet at his destructive best, but he showed glimpses of the form that many hope will make him a force in South Africa. His tackling and clearing out helped England remain competitive until late in the game, but he still needs to make more of an impact with his carrying.

The not so good

Gavin Henson (Wales)

The longer Henson is out of action, the harder it will be for him to play his way into the Test team. Obviously there is nothing he can do until he returns from injury, but the Lions coaching team will not have been impressed by his involvement in another alcohol-related incident that warranted an apology from the Ospreys player.

Sean Lamont (Scotland)

The Northampton Saint needs to play his way back into the Scotland side after being dropped due to a below-par showing against Wales in the championship opener. Thom Evans did well against France with a try on his recall but Simon Danielli was less impressive and Lamont may get another chance in the Italy game.

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport

Comment 5 - 24 of 24

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  1. Come on guys, this is a touring squad not a first XV. ­ Saying that, Henson shouldn't go. He'll get his­ head kicked in the first time he has a beer and­ he'll be watching the rest of the tour from his­ hospital bed. Besides, all four nations have better­ backs than Henson anyway. Murray should go with Hines­ as Scotland's only hopefuls although both Evans­ brothers would be in with a shout if it wasn't for­ the large amount of talent coming from the Welsh and­ Irish backs. It's hard not to view the­ Wales/Ireland game as the major Lions trial.

    From John L, on Wed 4 Mar 12:59PM

  2. hayes is a better prop than sheridan r any1 else­ experience and strenngth and commitment no 1 better

    From robierto87, on Tue 3 Mar 5:14PM

  3. Shanklin is not quite good enough to make it to Lions­ squad quite yet. The other centres this year are too­ good for him: Brian O'Driscol, Riki Flutey, Gordon­ D'Arcy, Jason Roberts
    He's really on a par with­ Mike Tindall and Jamie Noon
    Good luck to him anyway

    From rugbymad666, on Tue 24 Feb 5:05PM

  4. Well its hard to look any further then the irish r da­ welsh teams when it comes to picking the majority of­ the players for da lions, these 2 teams have the best­ back lines in the 6 nations this year!!! With both­ teams playing solid rugby in there forwards aswell,­ grand slam decider last game of the six nations, its­ going ta b epic

    From casselbank, on Sat 21 Feb 8:02PM

  5. richardwdavies, I know that murray plays tighthead and­ jenkins plays loosehead, but the statement made­ earlier, by a welshman i presume, was that jenkins was­ the best prop, not tight or lose, but best prop, and in­ my opinion, murray is a better prop. However, you are­ spot on, they would make one hell of a pairing up­ front!! cant think of 2 better props for the lions­ front row.

    From Ian, on Fri 20 Feb 1:59PM

  6. someone get orange to tuf off here please, hes an­ uneducated moroon please help us out there and rid us­ of his silly notions and ramblings.

    From trufftastic, on Fri 20 Feb 1:52PM

  7. Sorry Butch, but Murray is a tighthead, Gethin is a­ loosehead, but what a pair they will make.

    From BigRich, on Fri 20 Feb 1:49PM

  8. I am so pleased to see so many people gang up on this­ obnoxious, bigoted, little turd Orange2tuf who has­ probably never left his Limerick slum in his life. He­ totally betrays his wonderful countrymen with his­ one-eyed, anti-everyone who's not Munster,­ comments. Rugby is a game played by and supported by­ people who appreciate the talents of all not just their­ own. You are not welcome Orange2tuf please go away.

    From BigRich, on Fri 20 Feb 1:47PM

  9. Think it is out of order saying Tom Shanklin has been­ an "able stand in for Gavin Henson", Shanklin­ has proved time and again, and at the top level of­ Rugby, that he is a quality player who in my opinion is­ far more consistent than Henson. Even when henson is­ fit, it'll be hard to see how Shanklin can be­ dropped for him. Also, although i rate Gethin Jenkins­ as a top class prop, when Euan Murray gets back fit and­ firing you'll really see who the best prop in the­ northern hemisphere, if not the world is.

    From Ian, on Fri 20 Feb 11:14AM

  10. orange2tuf: do you know ANYTHING about the game at all?­ You are either a peabrain, or on the bottle, or both.

    From Gez, on Fri 20 Feb 9:07AM

  11. I cant believe that Sean Lamont has been mentioned in a­ Lions related article, whoever writes the rugby reports­ for eurosport is clueless

    From buff, on Fri 20 Feb 6:40AM

  12. he`s base this list on one game but not on form gethin­ jenkins has been good all season.Andrew Sheridan his­ form as been up and down most of the season like most­ of the english players.i also think orange2tuf must be­ very young is post has been a bit over the top to say­ the least

    From alan, on Thu 19 Feb 11:52PM

  13. I think Evans is full of promise, but would like to see­ him perform more regularly on the international stage.­ I think he's got a good chance of the possibles at­ the moment, but can't see him as a probable yet­ with the other talent around in his­ position.

    Isn't Evans a Welsh name btw? How'd­ you guys manage to get him? :P

    From Daft, on Thu 19 Feb 10:24PM

  14. I think that Thom Evans should be up there with the­ probables.
    The Scots appear to lift a gear when he is­ in the lineup.
    His ball carrying skills and stimina is­ always overlooked, even by their coach!

    From brw1marine, on Thu 19 Feb 8:57PM

  15. Pretty sure orange2tuf is very young, judging by his­ diction and blinkeredness. Think this should be taken­ into consideration with his posts.
    However, Orange2tuf,­ you really need to think before posting or these boards­ have a horrible tendency to bring out the worst in­ people resulting in verbal bullying.

    From Daft, on Thu 19 Feb 8:50PM

  16. grow up orange2tuf your incitful childish comments are­ getting up british and irish noses alike!

    From skyrmel, on Thu 19 Feb 6:51PM

  17. orange2tuf,bit of a peebrain arn't you !!!!!

    From ARTHUR R, on Thu 19 Feb 6:41PM

  18. Hayes is one of the best prop forwards in the world d­ guy is a machine

    From orange2tuf, on Thu 19 Feb 5:49PM

  19. heaslip is a great ball carrier who breaks tackles as­ is d wallace!wales and irelands back row are fantastic­ at present!the big props like­ sheridan/hayes/jones/vickery dont do much in the­ loose....any answers??...

    From sean d, on Thu 19 Feb 4:50PM

  20. I Would pck horan ahead of jenkins anyday

    From orange2tuf, on Thu 19 Feb 4:49PM
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