Scots have big points to prove at Saracens

FOR some of the Glasgow Warriors players, victory on Sunday against Saracens in their European Champions Cup quarter-final could have far-reaching consequences.

Gregor Townsend’s side won’t be lacking in motivation, of course, before such a momentous occasion. But, for those Scotland players in the Warriors’ ranks with half an eye on the forthcoming Lions tour, it provides the perfect platform to display their talents.

And, for some, to try to eradicate the damage done the last time they headed south, for what was a truly torrid day at Twickenham during this year’s Six Nations.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland names his squad on April 19 for the tour to New Zealand — and players from both sides will believe a big performance at Allianz Park could book their passage.

Stuart Hogg, barring injury or a significant misjudgment from Gatland, will be going to New Zealand. The Warriors full-back is favourite to start for the Lions in the first Test against the All Blacks and, at this stage, he represents the only Scot who can confidently look out his passport.

Tommy Seymour should join him based on form, although there is significant competition on the wings, but Jonny Gray, Finn Russell, Zander Fagerson and Fraser Brown all need to produce something special to enhance their chances of inclusion.

Individual battles on Sunday are now looking like last-minute auditions, with the Scots taking on some serious competition.

Seymour, for example, will be up against Scotland team-mate Sean Maitland, who toured with the Lions under Gatland in 2013 and is in the mix for selection again this year.

Russell goes head-to-head with Owen Farrell, who will start at ten for the Aviva Premiership outfit but plays No12 for England and could play both on tour.

Loose-head Mako Vunipola faces off against tighthead prop Fagerson, Maro Itoje will be against Gray in the second row, while hooker Jamie George, who many believe is better than England captain Dylan Hartley, takes on Brown.

As Hogg admits himself, the 61-21 defeat to England was difficult for the Scots to get over.

In what proved a pivotal moment, Brown was yellow-carded after just two minutes. Gray had a stinker, Russell was anonymous, Seymour had to go off injured and Fagerson was replaced after an hour.

Only Hogg emerged unscathed and that was because he departed the field early on through injury.

On Sunday, there will be points to prove for those players — not only to Gatland but to themselves.

And, who knows, emerge victorious and it may just take them all the way to New Zealand and a battle with the greatest rugbyplaying nation of all.