It is possible to make a late booking for the British & Irish Lions through a special performance as well as lose the seat on the plane you thought may be yours. I know this from two experiences – in 1989 I withdrew from consideration for the tour to Australia due to worries about my deteriorating ankle condition and my inability to play for too many months at a time. Two grand slams and a World Cup Final in the following three years were the trade off before I retired but I am still not sure it was worth it. A Lions year always leaves me with a sense of poignant sadness that I never pulled on that iconic shirt, the pinnacle for any rugby player and the ultimate test of teamship and effective combination of cross border skills and relationships.

Secondly, when I was a Lions selector for the 2001 tour also of Australia, the late bet we made on a youthful Jason Robinson was more than justified. Less easy was the selection of Rob Henderson which was also intended to bring out the best in Brian O’Driscoll. The legendary Scott Gibbs had been part of the heroic win over France by Wales that year in the Parc de Princes, but the marginal call was made. Anyone who remembers that incredible first Test will recall the contribution by the Irish duo in partnership.

Centre is not a position of strength for the Lions this time round, as Tuipulotu the undisputed No 1 has not played and Huw Jones cannot do it on his own. However, Tommy Freeman had the ultimate centre’s match from the wing in Dublin for the Saints last weekend in the highest pressure surroundings and his performance was exceptional. If they give out sainthoods in Franklins Gardens… seriously though, he is currently one of the best outside backs in World Rugby and the Lions must wrap him in cotton wool. Mitchell proved my assertion that he is the pre eminent scrumhalf and should take the starter’s shirt in Australia. He has real momentum and possesses a locker of skills not matched by Gibson-Park.

Before I talk more Lions, what about the weekend of Champions and Challenge Cup rugby. I have said for a while that Leinster’s (and Ireland’s) star was twinkling less brightly, and their vaunted pack in particular was shown up by Northampton’s collective will through their mainly unsung heroes up front. More than that, an incredible killer instinct led by Freeman and Henry Pollock, fuelled by their other big names Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith (another definite Tourist) and the departing Augustus. What a contest and what drama at the end, game changing decisions being made by Leinster which seemed to be influenced by the off field coaching team. It was reminiscent of 2015 World Cup when England kicked for the corner instead of taking points but at least the players made the call then which in my view should always be the case. Let us not dwell too much on or even criticise Leinster’s deficiencies with the tryline in sight in a white hot pressure situation, this was a story of belief, bravery and consummate skill by the Saints, their victory was no fluke. Pollock’s excited post match comments summed it up: ‘this is what sport is all about!’ Yes Henry, arise and take a bow not only for your performance but also for your no fear, nothing to lose attitude and only other people’s reputations to batter.

I would take him to Australia. Why? Because he is good enough and he can turn a game – not that different to the decision to select Jerry Guscott or Jason Robinson on previous tours who were similarly inexperienced but prodigious talents.

In a week when apparently only money talks at the top and franchises are king, the underfunded underdog triumphed in Dublin against the Irish Euro! Director of Rugby at Northampton, Phil Dowson, was prompted to speak midweek about the collective fears of the Premiership for their financial sustainability unless ringfencing was introduced. He then confounded the theory through his own club’s homespun brilliance, exploiting a coaching legacy left by Kiwi Chris Boyd who brought through many of their current stars at affordable prices. Dowson and Vesty have weaved magical spells with limited resources.

The other effective franchise and national proxy,Toulouse, also came a cropper in their quite stunning semifinal in Bordeaux. International rugby in club jerseys part two! The problem for Toulouse was that four of their best players were absent and this cost them – Dupont, Ramos, Mauvaka and Kinghorn have lit their touchpaper on numerous occasions. Their efforts to defend their title mainly on the road were noble, and Flament for me is the leading lock in world rugby along with Meafou. But that engine room was not enough.

Bordeaux has learnt through adversity (they lost to Toulouse by 50 points in last year’s league final) and when you have the two best wings in the world on current form, plus a halfback pairing who can lay claim to greatness, then it can be your time and it was very much the way it went. Their counterattacking capabilities, or transition as it is called these days, were off the charts brilliant and Toulouse simply couldn’t cope. This is a club on a mission and they will turn up at Cardiff, as will Northampton of course, so this could be a final with fireworks as they possess the two best attacks in Europe.

The night before, Bath will arrive fully loaded for a Challenge Cup they should win. I was hoping Racing 92 may squeeze past Lyon in their semi final, but not that much because the President of ‘Lou’ is a good friend as well as one of the most admired figures in French rugby. The early departure of Farrell through injury may have cost Racing but will not have made any difference to his Lions chances which I have always thought to be minimal, we shall see. Racing 92 and their owner Jacky Lorenzetti will care more about staying in the Top 14 however much the silverware would have been appreciated. I cannot see Bath being denied, they are hungry and brilliantly coached and they have Finn Russell, a Lions shoe-in. The difference in intensity between the two competitions was there for all to see, and Bath beat Edinburgh without really hitting top gear while the number of unforced errors by Lyon and Racing told you everything. We can say that Bath is playing in the wrong competition, but they will undoubtedly settle for 3 trophies this season and the big one can wait. One down, two to go.

EPCR can be rightly proud for achieving the best yet in the storied history of the European Cups.

Hallers