Amid all the hoopla about Peter O’Mahony’s captaincy of the Lions is the salient point that in sport, as in life, timing is everything. 

Simon Lewis looks at the key areas where Warren Gatland will have a selection headache going into the first test. 

Lions rookie Kyle Sinckler feels like he is in rugby heaven on the eve of his debut in the famous red jersey. Yet his thirst for knowledge may be hell for his teammates.

Centre Jonathan Davies has claimed “it just didn’t seem right” after Wales’ RBS 6 Nations campaign ended in controversial and crushing fashion against France.

Donal Lenihan examines the areas that will illuminate Ireland v Wales under Cardiff’s Friday night lights.

George North will return to Wales' starting line-up for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Wales posted only a third victory over South Africa in 110 years as they ended their autumn Test series in winning fashion at the Principality Stadium.

England 25 Wales 21: Eddie Jones has calmed England’s Six Nations title celebrations because an even greater prize is within reach as he targets a precious Grand Slam.

Wales hooker Ken Owens believes that rival number eight powerhouses Billy Vunipola and Taulupe Faletau could “get the ground shaking” at Twickenham next week.

Wales 19 France 10: Wales moved to the top of the RBS 6 Nations by beating France 19-10 at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Ireland are confident both Sean O’Brien and Rob Kearney will be fit to face France next Saturday, and management could be set to receive a further boost with a possible return to action for frontline props Mike Ross and Cian Healy.

He’s a mummy’s boy. Rhys Ruddock admits it.

London Irish CEO Bob Casey admits his side could be opening the door to America for the Irish provinces after it was confirmed their Aviva Premiership game with Saracens in March will take place in New Jersey.

WALES 23 FIJI 13: Warren Gatland insists he will remain a neutral spectator this weekend — even if Australia hold Wales’ immediate World Cup destiny in their hands against England at Twickenham.

England have encountered the first major injury problems of their World Cup campaign after it was revealed that Jonathan Joseph and Ben Morgan are doubts for Saturday’s pivotal clash with Wales.

CJ Stander and Anthony Foley have promised Munster will be taking nothing for granted when lowly Newport Gwent Dragons visit Cork for the final Guinness Pro12 round of the regular season on Saturday.

Dragons 25 Leinster 22: Leinster’s reign as Guinness Pro12 champions appears all but over after Matt O’Connor’s side surrendered a 22-8 lead at Rodney Parade.

Jamie Roberts has no doubt that an extended preparation period will help Wales arrive at the World Cup later this year in prime physical and mental shape.

Of all the lessons Warren Gatland purports to have learned since Wales last lifted the Six Nations title, the biggest and most painful was that served up in Dublin 13 months ago.

RBS Six Nations: Scotland 23 Wales 26: Wales claimed an eighth successive victory over Scotland as they revived their RBS 6 Nations title hopes following a thrilling 26-23 win at Murrayfield.

Taulupe Faletau insists there is “still a chance” that Wales can be crowned RBS 6 Nations champions this season.

Wales 16 England 21: RBS Six Nations: If England do go on to do something rather special in 2015 then we may look at this as the moment when Stuart Lancaster’s men came of age.

Sam Warburton says he does not feel any sense of surprise after Wales finally ended their southern hemisphere hoodoo.

Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones believes New Zealand are "probably 20 minutes ahead of everybody else" after signing off in Europe before next year’s world title defence by serving emphatic notice that they remain a class apart.

Taulupe Faletau admits "there are no obvious weaknesses" presented by his prospective opposite number ahead of Saturday’s Millennium Stadium clash between Wales and New Zealand.

Wales 28 Australia 33

South Africa 38 Wales 16

Wales 51 Scotland 3

Reigning champions Wales put their RBS 6 Nations title bid back on track with a Millennium Stadium mauling of France that ended Les Bleus’ Grand Slam hopes.

Now that Scotland have been taken care of, the stage is set for the serious business of The Grudge Match and Warren Gatland’s return to Ireland.

Warren Gatland has been hailed as “a fantastic coach” as he prepares to re-enter the RBS 6 Nations arena in pursuit of an unprecedented title hat-trick.

Warren Gatland and his British and Irish Lions think-tank emerged from their night of the long knives convinced they have a match-day squad to win the third and final Test against Australia on Saturday.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR:

As a three-time Lion, Lawrence Dallaglio knows a thing or two about the opening game on tour but even for a man of his great experience, playing Saturday’s opener against the Barbarians in Hong Kong makes for a unique occasion.

Jamie Heaslip or Toby Faletau?

Former Australian rugby coach Eddie Jones has branded Munster legend Paul O’Connell “a fading star” with nothing more than one Test match performance left in his 33-year-old legs.

RABODIRECT PRO12

Wales 30 England 3

Scotland 18 Wales 28

1. Owen Farrell (England)