Lions watch: Chastening weekend for Home Nations

With England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales all losing, it was a very disappointing weekend for the Home Nations, from which the British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia next year will be drawn.

First up, Ireland’s 19-game winning home run – and subsequently their reign at the top of the world rankings – came to a limp end at the hands of the All Blacks on Friday night before England suffered last-second heartache against Australia the following day.

And then on Sunday, Wales were beaten for the first time at home by Fiji and Scotland’s long wait for a win against the Springboks goes on after a 32-15 loss to the world champions at Murrayfield.

Not many players put their hand up for selection across those four defeats, but we’ve identified six from the first full weekend of Autumn Nations Series fixture to have furthered their case for inclusion.

Marcus Smith (England)

An audible groan echoed around Twickenham when it seemed as though George Ford was being brought on the for the devilishly good Smith with just over an hour played. Instead, the Harlequins player was moved to full-back and took advantage of his stay of execution to continue to show off his full array of skills. On a Lions tour, that ability to slot into multiple positions, kick goals and come up with big moments says Lions player all over. Smith will have to play himself out of the squad rather than in it.

Chandler Cunningham-South (England)

Rob Valetini, ‘stands out because of his hair but his performance was also a cut above’, one writer critiqued following the Wallabies’ stunning 42-37 win over England. But the same could be said for England blindside Chandler Cunningham-South, whose two tries inside the first 12 minutes gave England a 15-3 lead, and so much hope. With one scored out wide and the other from close range, Cunningham-South’s brace of tries encapsulated what he’s all about. The Harlequins enforcer is equally at home finishing off moves on the edge as he is ploughing through heavy traffic (gaining 43 metres, while he also packs a punch in defence too (18 tackles made), as well as being a very good lineout option.

Huw Jones (Scotland)

Having made the joint most line breaks of any centre in a men’s Tier 1 Test match this decade against Fiji (five), Jones had another very good game against South Africa aide from one pass into touch above Duhan van der Merwe’s head and a little knock-on to deny Ben White a late try. The Glasgow man hit some very good lines again, and showed his stepping skills, breaking five tackles and carrying eight times for 101 metres, as well as producing a through-the-legs pass.

Tom Jordan (Scotland)

It would be a stretch, to say the least, for Scotland’s latest kilted Kiwi to be on the plane to Australia given he has only played two Tests. But in terms of ‘bolters’, he has really laid down a marker with his performances against Fiji and South Africa. After a couple of early defensive lapses, the versatile Glasgow back shone in his first start at full-back and was only player on the pitch to make more than 100 metres, along with five tackle breaks and three line breaks.

Jac Morgan (Wales)

The return of their World Cup co-captain for his first Test appearance of the year provided one bright spot on an otherwise bleak day for Wales. Morgan had 35 minutes on the pitch and made a difference, albeit not enough to avert a dispiriting loss to Fiji, with his explosive ball carrying.

Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Another immense shift from the loose-head, whose likely opposite number in the Lions series, Angus Bell, was also in excellent form. Porter doesn’t make the eye-catching carries of Bell but when it comes to work-rate and rolling your sleeves up in the nitty-gritty of the game, the Leinster man knows no peers. Put in 74-minute shift and was unfortunate to be on the losing side.

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