O'Mahony Had A Hunger England Never Showed

THERE are as many questions after the Six Nations as there were before it in terms of selection for the 2017 Lions. England retained their title, but was it so convincing that they should have 20 players in the squad? Not really.

There are only two players who are nailed-on for Lions selection because their pedigree makes them the first two names on the team sheet, and they are Conor Murray and Jonny Sexton. At their best, they are guys that no coach would leave behind.

In every other position there is a debate to be had. I am only 95 per cent certain that CJ Stander should be at blindside, but outside that and the 9- 10, it is debatable.

Lions selection has to be looked at over the entire period of the tournament, although it is such a significant showcase that a player can make a massive statement with just one outstanding performance.

Peter O’Mahony is one such player. The Munster blindside flanker showed in his performance for Ireland against England in Dublin that he is definitely midweek Lions captain material, and maybe even the sort of player who can impose himself sufficiently to get in the test team.

Although it is hard to go past his teammate CJ Stander as the test No.6, O’Mahony is the sort of player who could rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity. Lions tours are not just about great players, they are also about great personalities who make the group tighter. You could be a great player, but you could also be divisive – which is why the Lions have to take a balanced squad.

Most captains are selfless players – they draw people in by putting others in front of themselves. A great Lions tour is about every player being selfless, and the more of them you have, the better your chances of success. If you take a player like Stuart Hogg, and there is a very strong possibility that he will go, there is also a chance that he will not make the Test team.