Auditioning for the Lions
Opinion is divided on the Saracens youngster with those outside of England needing a lot more convincing about the merits of his inclusion. The key out-half role is posing a bit of a dilemma for Warren Gatland at the moment with Johnny Sexton the only No 10 pencilled in at present. The fact that Farrell was in the pivotal role when England stuffed New Zealand last November is sure to have registered with the Lions management but then again he needed to prove himself at this level after an indifferent tour to South Africa over the summer. His recent place kick feats for Saracens in the Heineken Cup will have boosted his chances but he is still battling it out with Toby Flood for the starting position in the championship and needs to convince that his game management is up to scratch. The question Gatland has to ask himself is, in the event of losing Sexton to injury, is Farrell the man to engineer a test series victory over Australia? He needs a big Six Nations campaign to convince people that he is.
2. Donnacha Ryan (Ireland)
