LIST: 5 players who failed their final Lions audition in Dublin

Rugby News
Saturday, 20 March 2021 at 06:08
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British & Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland was present in Dublin as Ireland produced by far their best performance of the Andy Farrell era to beat a sorry England 32-18.
A number of stars will have impressed the head coach, however, these five might have just fluffed their lines in their final audition for the tour.

#5. Elliot Daly (England)

  • Position: Back-three
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Where do you start? Shifted back to fullback due to an injury to Max Malins, his dismal performance began with a kick straight out of play before he was beaten in the air in the build-up to Jack Conan's try. The 28-year-old is clearly low on confidence and his chances of making Gatland's squad are now basically zero.

#4. Bundee Aki (Ireland)

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Had a dodgy start but grew into the contest as the game went on. He put in a good performance overall, although his careless tackle to lead the red card put plenty of unnecessary pressure on his team. His Lions chances were slim - this being his first game of the 2021 Six Nations - but they're probably completely finished now.

#3. George Ford (England)

  • Position: Fly-half
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Outgunned and outkicked by his opposite number, Johnny Sexton. He's been consistently inconsistent during this year's Six Nations and probably needed to follow up his good performance last week to be in with a shot. Instead, all today's game did was cement Sexton's place in Gatland's squad. He didn’t impress Eddie Jones either as he substituted him off at 51 minutes.

#2. Kyle Sinckler (England)

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Will still almost certainly be named in the Lions squad, but it's looking very much like he will play second fiddle to Ireland tighthead Tadhg Furlong following today's game in Dublin.

#1. Mako Vunipola

  • Position: Loose-head prop
Penalised a few times at the scrum and the mistakes were shown as he was taken off at half-time. Has never looked the same since getting decimated in the World Cup final against South Africa.
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