Each week we will be asking rugby journalists as well as Lions legends to review all the action from the leagues and competitions to see which players are putting their names in contention for the Lions Tour of Australia this summer. This week’s Lions Watch is written by Paul Eddison.

And with a host of Lions contenders in action, there was plenty for Andy Farrell to keep a close eye on ahead of the squad announcement for The British & Irish Lions…

Hookers seize their chance

It was a good weekend to be a No.2 as hookers made their presence felt across both the United Rugby Championship and the Premiership.

Ireland’s prolific Dan Sheehan led the way with a hat-trick, but there were hookers across the leagues who put in big displays as the time left to impress Andy Farrell before squad selection for The British & Irish Lions ticks away.

A trio of England internationals were all to the fore and there were some impressive showings with just two weekends left before final selection on May 8.

We have to start with Sheehan though, who came off the bench in the clash with Ulster and grabbed a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to 12 tries in nine matches.

Following his standout performances in the Guinness Six Nations, he has only continued to strengthen his case on his return to Leinster.

Over in the Premiership, Luke Cowan-Dickie was impressive once more for Sale Sharks, who picked up a valuable win away to Harlequins, getting a try and leading a huge forward effort.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Saracens got tries from both of their England hookers, Theo Dan grabbing two as he kicked on from his performance away in Toulon, while Jamie George came off the bench and linked up with his England skipper Maro Itoje to score a winger’s try in the corner.

Curry and Smith build on Six Nations form

It is not just Cowan-Dickie who has brought his international form back to Sale, with Tom Curry looking very good on his return to action.

The back-rower had been forced off in Sale’s defeat to Toulouse but marked his comeback with two tries, showing plenty of attacking purpose.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, Fin Smith came off the bench early for Northampton Saints and despite seemingly suffering a knock, pulled the strings in a bonus-point win away to Falcons.

That included one try of his own and making another to keep Saints’ slim play-off hopes alive.

Russell half-hour show keeps Bath purring

Another week and another win for Bath, who have won eight on the trot and had a bonus point up inside half an hour away to Exeter Chiefs.

Finn Russell pulled the strings as he so often does, with his wide pass seemingly through the Chiefs defence the standout moment, setting up compatriot Josh Bayliss’ try.

While Bath did end up hanging on a little, Russell was in great form, with a wonderful 50:22 showing how dangerous he can be with his tactical kicking game.

Meanwhile, Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell were both in good form, albeit in differing circumstances.

Morgan excelled in a losing cause for the Ospreys in their Judgement Day defeat to Cardiff, while Reffell’s turnover heroics were a big reason Leicester Tigers won away to Bristol Bears.