Who stood out? Who slipped up? This year's Six Nations doubles as an audition for selection for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in the summer.

The opening Six Nations weekend has come and gone with plenty of British and Irish Lions hopefuls beginning to build a case for inclusion in the tour of Australia. While past performances will factor heavily in Andy Farrell’s thinking,

LIONS BOSS ANDY Farrell was watching on at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening as a host of potential tourists battled it out in their Six Nations opener. Farrell will also have closely studied Wales’ heavy defeat to France and Scotland’s win over Italy to assess the performances of a crop of other Lions candidates.

Ireland began its Six Nations three-peat bid by blowing away England during 30-plus minutes of controlled aggression in the second half for a 27-22 comeback victory in Dublin.

Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby has warned his Six Nations title-chasers that Scotland are capable of unleashing a formidable attack against them this weekend. Ireland can step up their pursuit of an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations crown when they face Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

AN EIGHT-DAY turnaround after a bonus-point win on the opening weekend of the Six Nations is just about the dream scenario. The extra day of recovery will help any Ireland player carrying the usual bumps and bruises that come with taking on a fired-up England team.