The selection dilemmas facing British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell rumble on after an entertaining penultimate round of the Six Nations.
Ireland were beaten by France in Dublin, while Scotland withstood a Wales fightback to claim victory and recover from defeat by England, who cruised past Italy.
BBC Sport looks at the Lions selection battle across three areas with just one round of the Six Nations remaining.
Locks
Before France arrived in Dublin, Ireland were on course for the Grand Slam and a record third consecutive title after wins over England, Scotland and Wales.
Eighty minutes later, the hosts’ crown had started to slip.
Les Bleus ended Ireland’s Slam chances and moved to the top of the standings in a blow to the hosts’ collective and individual targets.
The Ireland engine room has been largely untarnished in the opening three rounds, and while Tadhg Beirne remained solid, Joe McCarthy fell foul of some costly ill-discipline.
The 23-year-old was shown an early yellow card for a needless pull on Thomas Ramos, which led to Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s opening try for France.
Ireland’s defeat had handed England an opportunity to leapfrog them in the table with victory over Italy at Allianz Stadium.
The hosts were comfortable winners with captain Maro Itoje continuing his fine form, while his lock partner Ollie Chessum was a standout performer in the set-piece and from open play.
Chessum’s tireless display, including some hard carrying with ball in hand, resulted in a player-of-the-match performance – just days after the Leicester forward had been unable to train because of illness.
The 24-year-old can also play in the back row and his versatility will be a bonus when considering forward options in Australia.
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Centres
Ollie Lawrence’s Achilles injury in the early stages of England’s win was a blow to club, country and potentially the Lions.
Apart from England’s Six Nations finale in Cardiff, it is likely to rule the centre out of Bath’s Premiership run-in and consideration for this summer’s tour.
Lawrence has been one of England’s leading lights in both attack and defence, while midfield partner Henry Slade was dropped for Fraser Dingwall against the Azzurri.
Former England wing Chris Ashton said he was “absolutely gutted” for Lawrence.
“He was almost nailed on after the way the Irish centres were handled by France on Saturday, which made his case stronger,” Ashton told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.
“There is still a lot to be discussed in the centre with Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu [injured] to come back too but it looks like Lawrence will be unavailable now.”
As Ashton alluded to, Ireland’s Bundee Aki, a Lions tourist to South Africa in 2021, had a quiet afternoon in the defeat by France before being replaced by Jack Crowley in the 55th minute.
Scotland’s Tom Jordan, meanwhile, produced an impressive display at inside centre in victory over Wales.
The New Zealand-born 26-year-old, who can also operate at fly-half, was on hand to support midfield partner Huw Jones for his opening try and also dotted down twice himself.
He was also sound defensively for the most part – although he was easily shrugged off by Teddy Williams in the build-up to Wales’ third try.
Back three
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