After a look at how Scotland’s backs are shaping up in the dogfight for Lions selection – now it’s the turn of the big lads in the pack.
Loosehead prop – Alasdair Dickinson
Rivals include:
Mako Vunipola (Eng), Jack McGrath (Ire), Gethin Jenkins (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Tests?
Number 1 – game time. Number 2 – to drive home to all concerned that this current era of the Scottish scrum being a weapon that can help them win games is as much down to Al as it is to WP Nel. His ball carrying is pretty minimal these days but his defensive work rate is immense – there can’t be too many of his peers who have made 30 tackles in one game (v Connacht, Jan 2015).
Chances of travelling?
Should keep his passport handy.
Hooker – Ross Ford
Rivals incude:
Dylan Hartley (Eng), Rory Best (Ire), Ken Owens (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Test?
To step out of his comfort zone. Fordy’s contribution to the power of the scrum isn’t in doubt and his defensive workrate is much underrated – but he also needs an almost perfect showing at the lineout and more in the loose. More crucially he would need an aggressive attitude and far stronger leadership qualities to match up to the hookers Gatland is likely to pick.
Chances of travelling?
Can probably book a beach holiday.
Tighthead Prop – WP Nel
Rivals include:
Dan Cole (Eng), Tadhg Furlong (Ire), Samson Lee (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Tests?
A rest. WP may be Scotland’s strongest candidate for both a squad and Test place – which is not to diminish the credentials of Stuart Hogg or Jonny Gray, but they are both currently operating in positions packed with talent. Tighthead is a little shorter on depth and WP is the early front-runner for the number 3 jersey.
Chances of travelling?
If he’s fit – in the departure lounge.
Lock – Jonny Gray
Rivals include:
Maro Itoje (Eng), Ultane Dillane (Ire), Alun Wyn Jones (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Tests?
A touch more explosiveness to his carrying. There is no question that Jonny is in a class of his own when it comes to the defensive duties of a lock – he rarely misses, as a run of 111 consecutive tackles completed across Glasgow and Scotland games last season attests. He’s shown his quality at the lineout as well but in a position where Gatland will have plenty of options he needs to show he can match the dynamism of his rivals in attack.
Chances of travelling?
In the departure lounge.
Lock – Richie Gray
Rivals include:
George Kruis (Eng), Devin Toner (Ire), Luke Charteris (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Tests?
To outperform his younger sibling. Jonny’s brother will need to match or exceed Gray Jr’s work rate and also dominate at the lineout if he wants to put himself in contention for a second Lions’ tour. He’s been heavily involved for Toulouse and his move from Castres looks to be having a positive impact. It will take a real return to the kind of carrying form he showed 4 or 5 years ago to get him on that plane though.
Chances of travelling?
Keeping an eye on other players’ injury status.
Flanker – John Barclay
Rivals include:
James Haskell (Eng), CJ Stander (Ire), Ross Moriarty (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Tests?
To keep showing the utility of utility. Nominally a 7 but playing much of his club rugby at 8 and almost all his international rugby at 6, JB’s biggest virtue from a selector’s point of view has to be his flexibility – which could be very handy if the squad size is not to be too unwieldy. By the same token though not excelling in one position is likely to count against him when Warren Gatland can pick outstanding candidates across the back row.
Chances of travelling?
Can probably book a beach holiday.
Flanker – John Hardie
Rivals include:
Chris Robshaw (Eng), Sean O’Brien (Ire), Sam Warburton (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Tests?
To wind the clock back. 6 months ago “Hard Horse” would have been a strong favourite to travel home to New Zealand in one of the Lions’ flanker slots. Fast forward to now and he’s short of game time and under pressure for his 7 shirt at both Edinburgh and Scotland from the outstanding form of Hamish Watson. He needs to get back out on the pitch and let his heavy hitting do his talking before his star falls any further.
Chances of travelling?
Keeping an eye on other players’ injury status.
Number 8 – David Denton
Rivals include:
Billy Vunipola (Eng), Jamie Heaslip (Ire), Taulupe Faletau (Wal)
What does he need from the Autumn Tests?
To not to be injured! The Double D (and skip ahead if you are squeamish!) ripped his hamstring away from the bone playing for Bath early in the season and will be out for a while yet. Most unfortunate after his best ever season for Scotland. His biggest issue in terms of the Lions is that even in top form there are players like Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau who can out-wrecking ball the former Embra man – and also offer a broader range of skills despite their bulk.
Chances of travelling?
Can probably book a beach holiday.
Dark horse – Hamish Watson
If club form was the crucial factor in selection then Hamish, who has been flying for the whole of 2016, would have to be a serious contender. As it stands though he needs to win the Scotland 7 shirt from John Hardie and demonstrate that he can bring the same consistency to the international stage. He’s always been a ball of energy in defence but his development into one of Edinburgh’s primary ball carriers gives him a more rounded game than many of his rivals. If he can force a decent amount of turnovers in the Autumn Tests he will be hard to shift from the Scotland back row and would at least add his name to the conversation for the Lions’ discussions towards the end of the Six Nations when it will be selection time for Gatland too.