Slightly off topic, but think it's worth having a look at how our standing Lions teams performed over the weekend:
1. McGrath - Made a mockery of the Scottish scrum and as usual carried well and worked hard. Don't think anyone on the weekend did anything to damage his chances, but it'll depend on how Mako does once he returns.
2. Best (c) - Irish lineout was woeful, largely due to lack of jumpers, partly due to Best's darts. As always, did well in the loose.
3. Furlong - Again, dominated the Scottish scrum and as always monstrous in the loose. Can't see anyone really challenging him for the 3 shirt.
4. Itoje - An underwhelming performance and unlike others, don't think this can be pinned purely on playing at 6. First international game in a while and hope he can get back to the form that justified the hype.
5. J. Gray - 28 tackles says it all.
6. Stander - Didn't get off to the start he did last year. With such tough competition in the back 5, he's really going to have to step up his game to make the 23.
7. Tipuric - As usual great work rate and more than reliable in defence. O'Brien was very impressive, but not an out and out 7. Wouldn't take much persuading to shift Sean to 6 in favour of Stander.
8. Faletau - Didn't play and neither did his biggest competition (Billy). Heaslip not putting in too much of a contest either.
9. Murray - Youngs bad day at the office, Webb nothing special. Laidlaw put in a good shift but nothing to warrant dropping Murray.
10. Sexton - Didn't play. Farrell seeming like a very appealing option.
11. North - Showed that when he gets decent ball he's still one of the most lethal finishers in World Rugby. Too much of a threat to leave out.
12. Henshaw - Quiet performance. Did his job and still easily the best choice here, but Farrell seeming more and more valid an option.
13. Joseph - Like Henshaw, quiet performance but still comfortably best choice. A good performance from Davies and continuation of good form from Daly and Jones could see him ousted.
14. Nowell - Didn't start but made a good impact off the bench. I'd say the form winger in Europe, but Maitland and Seymour both put in very impressive shifts.
15. Hogg - His core skills do worry me (Defence, high ball) but his raw attacking ability is too good to leave out. Brown, Kearney and Halfpenny pose no real threat to him and I don't think Williams can be considered to start at FB until he's getting game time there for Wales.
16. George - Hard to show his ability coming off the bench. Arguably not quite as good as LCD, Taylor in England though. Don't think any hookers put in a real effort to remove him from the shirt though.
17. M. Vunipola - Didn't play and no one can make the impact he can. Bolted on for me.
18. Cole - Ugh. Hope Nel can get back to form quickly as I really don't want to see Cole here.
19. Kruis - Flip a coin between him, AWJ, Richie, Henderson and Launchbury.
20. O'Brien - Monster of a man. Gonna face serious competition here but I can't see him moving anywhere other than into the starting team.
21. Youngs - Hope Webb gets back to form. Wouldn't seriously consider Laidlaw yet. Bad performance from Youngs on the weekend. God help us if the pack isn't moving forward.
22. Like O'Brien, can't see him moving anywhere other than inti the starting XV. Would be my 10 if Sexton is injured.
23. Daly - Good performance in a bad England team. Gonna face tough of competition from Jones, Davies and various wingers.
