While the teams in the Six Nations Rugby Championships have pending glory on their minds, for the players in each of the four home unions, there is a bigger prize in store.
The weekend saw plenty of rugby action, with some great performances and a few surprises from the best that the north has to offer. England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales came out and played tremendously, showing that the game is alive and well.
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Scotland in particular surprised many to chalk up a rare win over Ireland. Ireland were pre-tournament favourites, so it shows the improvement of the Scottish side.
But for the home nations, a spot in the 2017 British and Irish Lions team to tour New Zealand is up for grabs.
Lions coach Warren Gatland will likely pick a 30-man squad to tour NZ, with the core of the group that won the 2013 Tests against Australia being part of the team.
What Gatland has to bear in mind is that no Lions team has won a Test series over the world champions, the All Blacks, since 1971.
And the strength of New Zealand rugby has improved ten-fold since the last time the Lions were in New Zealand in 2005, with the All Blacks winning back-to-back Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015.
While England could provide the bulk of the touring party, expect to see a far greater representation of Scottish players than on previous Lions tours when the squad is announced.
Wales and Ireland in particular could have a smaller group of players with the Lions, if the performances in recent matches is any guide.
There are some sure selections, while there are also a number of bolters and surprise picks.
So, Roarers, step into Warren Gatland shoes and select a Lions team you think will (hopefully) win the first Test series in New Zealand since 1971.
Jason Cave
Guest
If the British & Irish Lions are to have any chance at all of beating the All Blacks in the Tests for the first time in New Zealand since 1971, they need to take on the All Blacks up front, as well as out-run them. Gatland will have to pick a Lions forward pack that can out-think the All Blacks in the line-outs and scrums, like they did in '71, and also on the 1997 South African tour. After all, if you want to beat the best team in the world, take them on in the forwards. The crucial question for me is who will be the chief goalkicker for the Lions. Would it be Halfpenny (Wales), who was the player of the series in the 2013; Farrell (England), or Laidlaw (Scotland)?
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
I think everyone above has chosen Farrell in the team (and usually as 10, but at 12 by OSS). I'm a little surprised by that; certainly Farrell for the touring party, but what do people think of Dan Biggar or even Finn Russell for fly-half? Sexton's out injured, but also requires consideration. Maybe he's a bit young, but I've heard nothing but good things about Russell (admittedly from Scottish mates!)
taylorman
Roar Guru
I like the idea goof Sexton off the bench as I don't think hes physically up to running a series from start vs the ABs but he could prove useful off the bench if the Lions are still in it with twenty to go. I think they'll go with Farrell but also that that will be their downfall. He's a safe option and will kick the goals and although he's improved his attacking he's too much the Wilko go to and not creative enough on attack. I think he'll sit back and wait for the goals too much. No way I'd lump him with both the goalkicking and captaincy for the task he has in this position. ABs will target him anyway, doubly so at captain. Simply pick the most experienced captain in the squad for that role, provided he's start quality. For me Liam Williams is a must start and the first name on the sheet simply because he's a proven performer against the ABs, more than once. Was the best and most attacking player on Wales tour here last year.
Colm
Roar Guru
Great team, I agree that combos will be key. Sean O'Brien should be the first player on the team, in my opinion. I don't know why people rate Sam Warburton over Sean O'Brien. Sean O'Brien won 3 turnovers and made 20 carries against New Zealand at the Aviva stadium. Warburton has similar stats in his last three games combined against New Zealand.
DB
Guest
I would go with 1. M. Vunipola 2. J.George 3. T.Furlong 4. J.Gray 5. M..Itoje 6. T.Faletau 7. C.Robshaw 8. B.Vunipola 9. C.Murray 10. O.Farrell (Captain) 11. A.Watson (G North if Watson is injured) 12. R.Henshaw 13. E.Daley 14. L.Williams 15. S.Hogg 16. J.McGrath 17. D. Cole (WP Nel if he is fit in time) 18. D.Hartley 19. A.W Jones 20. S.Warburton 21. R.Webb 22. J.Sexton 23. J.Davies I know Robshaw wears the number 6 jersey but he plays like a 7, brings leadership and his work rate is enormous! Teams are moving away from an out and out fetcher at 7 anyway these days. I think O'brien and Stander are amazing players and Haskell is also a strong contender but I would love someone really strong on the ball, late in the game who can play a couple of positions and brings leadership. My bench has 3 captains on it to bring stability, as well as the experienced heads of Sexton, Davies and Cole.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Your putting a lot of pressure on Gray and Wyn Jones at lineout time. I like Huw Jones but I think he will opt for Davies. Davies or Joseph at 13. Also your backrow is not only a bit weak at lineout time, it is full of big ball carriers. I would want at least 1 of those guys off the bench. I have chopped and changed in my thinking but heres the team I would like with the team I think he will pick in brackets. 1 McGrath 2 Best 3 Furlong I think this is a ready made combo that he will use. I would too. 4 Itoje (J.Gray) 5 Kruis (Jones) Again, I would opt for the best established combo but Gatland may not. 6 O'Mahony (Itoje) 7 Warburton 8 Vunipola No established combo here for me or Gatland. 9 Youngs 10 Farrell Established combo ...yada yada yada. 11 Watson (North) 14 Williams Im not a huge fan of North and I want fast finishers with an eye for a gap. Not a big smasher. This is influenced by my flyhalf and centres. 12 Henshaw 13 Bennett (Davies) Heres my bolter. I just like the type of centre Bennett is. Smart, fast and skilled. Daly is also an option here for me along with Joseph. I dont like the idea of a Henshaw, Davies partnership because its too conservative. 15 Hogg With Farrell at 10 and Henshaw and Davies on the wing Gatland will want a spark from his 15. Imo his thinking will be that we can expect a more fluid team to gel in such a short space of time. However I could also see him being even more conservative and opting for the safest option and picking Brown. I however think they must gamble to win this series and pick players able to make the most of whats in front of them despite the risks of it going badly wrong. Having said that Im starting Farrell to kick goals etc and Russell is off the bench. So I guess Im not a complete gambler.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
Need to wait till after the 6 Nations, I think Scotland players might take a few spots.
Colin N
Guest
For me, Jamie George is by quite some way the best hooker in Britain and Ireland, it's just unfortunate for him that Hartley is captain of England. It will be interesting to see whether, with Gatland having other options to skipper the side, George can force his way on tour and into the starting XV. I like that side Colm, although I would have Joseph over Jones. It gives the side a bit more pace and balance in the outside channels and, alongside Henshaw, that midfield would be very defensively sound.
Rugby Fixation
Roar Guru
Big fan of that team, Colm. I like that mix of players. I'd probably opt to start Best over George and maybe Richie Gray over Wyn Jones, but other than that, that'd be my starting team too.
OSS
Guest
1. M. Vunipola; 2. J. George; 3. T. Furlong; 4. M. Itoje; 5. J. Gray; 6. T. Faletau; 7. S. Warburton; 8. B. Vunipola; 9. R. Webb; 10. G. Ford; 11. G. North; 12. O. Farrell (capt); 13; J. Jospeh; 14. L. Williams; 15. S. Hogg Bench: McGrath, Best, Nell, Lawes, Stander, Youngs, Henshaw, Daly
Jeff dustby
Guest
I won't be happy unless there are at least 8 kiwis or Pacific Islanders
Colm
Roar Guru
My team would be 1.Jack McGrath, 2. Jamie George, 3.Tadhg Furlong, 4 .Maro Itoje, 5. Alun Wyn Jones, 6. CJ Stander, 7.Sean O'Brien, 8. Billy Vunipola, 9. Conor Murray, 10. Owen Farrell, 11. George North, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 13. Huw Jones, 14. Anthony Watson, 15. Stuart Hogg.