Their own Judgement place on Lions trip
the Scarlets this season, with Aled Davies and Jonathan Evans having caught the eye more at times.
So if Davies is to stake a very late claim, he will need a big game on Judgement Day and we do know what an impact he can make when firing on all cylinders. SAMSON LEE If you look at the tight-head department, then Tadhg Furlong and Dan Cole seem certainties to tour, but after that there’s one more spot very much up for grabs, with WP Nel out of the equation due to his neck injury.
Adam Jones’ protege at Harlequins, Kyle Sinckler, is probably the frontrunner, but the 34-cap Lee has to be a serious contender, along with his Wales rival Tomas Francis and Munster’s John Ryan. He has been in good scrummaging form as he will to demonstrate this weekend. ROB EVANS While tight-head candidates are a little thin on the ground, the opposite is very much the case at loosehead. The list of rivals for Evans is long and packed with quality. You’ve got Mako Vunipola, Jack McGrath, Joe Marler, Gethin Jenkins and Cian Healy, with young Ellis Genge also having his supporters.
But Evans had a fine Six Nations, in terms of his scrummaging, his carrying and his passing, with a couple of his long miss-passes putting him at risk of being drummed out of the front row union!
Like Owens, he would also be a tremendous tourist, being a real character and a born competitor. ALEX CUTHBERT Just a few weeks ago, the idea of the Cardiff Blues wing being mentioned in a Lions context would have seemed far-fetched in the extreme.
He’s probably still very much an outsider now given the long list of back three candidates.
But his superb regional rugby of late means he merits a mention going into Judgement Day, where his workrate, powerful carrying and finishing will make him a serious threat to the Ospreys.
And let’s not forget this is a man who scored a sizzling solo try in the opening Lions Test four years ago. SCOTT WILLIAMS Having spent years as an understudy, Williams finally got his chance this season as he was handed the Wales No.12 jersey in place of the longserving Jamie Roberts.
And he has certainly had his moments, having a hand in some of the more fluid movements. But the Championship tailed off for him somewhat in Paris and he looks to be a little way down the pecking order for centre selection.
So he will need a repeat of last season’s man-of the-match performance for the Scarlets against the Dragons to push his way into the reckoning, with a summer South Seas tour more likely.