... and those unlucky not to be part of it

Justin Tipuric Player stats suggest the Ospreys flanker has been one of the best performers for the Lions during the tour but he’s been out in the cold when it comes to Test selection.

What deepens the mystery is that Tipuric is a more established player at international level than he was four years ago, when he was capped by the Lions in the winning Test decider with Australia.

And, with the Lions having adopted a more expansive game during last weekend’s victory over New Zealand, you would have thought Tipruic was the ideal link-man between the forwards and backs. Iain Henderson Made a slow start to the tour when the jet-lagged Lions kicked off against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians but has grown in stature with some scintillating displays.

Henderson was hugely influential when Ireland won in South Africa for the first time a year ago and has hit the same superb vein of form in New Zealand.

He stood out in the win over the Chiefs and draw with the Hurricanes, has made 41 carries for 108m so it’s surprise, considering he can play lock or blindside flanker, the Ulster ace hasn’t at least been on the bench for the Tests. Dan Biggar Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell were decent as a 10-12 combination with the ball against the All Blacks last weekend, but it’s not pushing the boundaries to suggest Biggar has been the form outside-half for the Lions.

Not only as the Wales play-maker nailed 14 out of 16 attempts at goal for 35 points, but his management of matches, efficiency, courage in defence and the manner in which he has got the backline going have been to the fore. Tommy Seymour The Scotland wing is top try-scorer for the Lions with three in as many starts – he was also a substitute in the win over the Chiefs.

Seymour has ran 215m and missed just two tackles although they came in his first appearance for the cream of British and Irish rugby when nerves may have been a factor.

And the Glasgow Warriors may be wondering why he didn’t get a call with finishing out wide certainly an issue for the Lions in the opening Test. Rory Best The experienced Ireland captain was another to pay a price for a mediocre showing against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.

Best had problems hitting the target with his throws to the line-out, as he had in Australia four years ago for the Lions, but that has improved during the tour.

He proved an able leader of the midweek team and it could be argued his competitiveness at the breakdown and scrummaging ability was what the Lions could have done with in the series with the All Blacks.