Lions watch week four: Locks, centres and back three

Scotlands Blair Kinghorn and Englands Ollie Chessum both starred for their nations during Six Nations round four

The selection dilemmas facing British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell rumble on after an entertaining penultimate round of the Six Nations.

Ireland were beaten by France in Dublin, while Scotland withstood a Wales fightback to claim victory and recover from defeat by England, who cruised past Italy.

BBC Sport looks at the Lions selection battle across three areas with just one round of the Six Nations remaining.

Before France arrived in Dublin, Ireland were on course for the Grand Slam and a record third consecutive title after wins over England, Scotland and Wales.

Eighty minutes later, the hosts crown had started to slip.

Les Bleus ended Irelands Slam chances and moved to the top of the standings in a blow to the hosts collective and individual targets.

The Ireland engine room has been largely untarnished in the opening three rounds, and while Tadhg Beirne remained solid, Joe McCarthy fell foul of some costly ill-discipline.

The 23-year-old was shown an early yellow card for a needless pull on Thomas Ramos, which led to Louis Bielle-Biarreys opening try for France.

Irelands defeat had handed England an opportunity to leapfrog them in the table with victory over Italy at Allianz Stadium.

The hosts were comfortable winners with captain Maro Itoje continuing his fine form, while his lock partner Ollie Chessum was a standout performer in the set-piece and from open play.

Chessums tireless display, including some hard carrying with ball in hand, resulted in a player-of-the-match performance - just days after the Leicester forward had been unable to train because of illness.

The 24-year-old can also play in the back row and his versatility will be a bonus when considering forward options in Australia.

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Ollie Lawrences Achilles injury in the early stages of Englands win was a blow to club, country and potentially the Lions.

Apart from Englands Six Nations finale in Cardiff, it is likely to rule the centre out of Baths Premiership run-in and consideration for this summers tour.

Lawrence has been one of Englands leading lights in both attack and defence, while midfield partner Henry Slade was dropped for Fraser Dingwall against the Azzurri.

Former England wing Chris Ashton said he was "absolutely gutted" for Lawrence.

"He was almost nailed on after the way the Irish centres were handled by France on Saturday, which made his case stronger," Ashton told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.

"There is still a lot to be discussed in the centre with Scotlands Sione Tuipulotu [injured] to come back too but it looks like Lawrence will be unavailable now."

As Ashton alluded to, Irelands Bundee Aki, a Lions tourist to South Africa in 2021, had a quiet afternoon in the defeat by France before being replaced by Jack Crowley in the 55th minute.

Scotlands Tom Jordan, meanwhile, produced an impressive display at inside centre in victory over Wales.

The New Zealand-born 26-year-old, who can also operate at fly-half, was on hand to support midfield partner Huw Jones for his opening try and also dotted down twice himself.

He was also sound defensively for the most part - although he was easily shrugged off by Teddy Williams in the build-up to Wales third try.

Former Ireland and Lions wing Simon Zebo says "hot competition" remains across the back-three positions.

Wing Duhan van der Merwe had some nice touches but did not score any of Scotlands five tries against Wales, and Irelands James Lowe injured his back in the warm-up in Dublin and had to withdraw.

England wing Tommy Freeman added his fourth try of the campaign with a powerful finish from Elliot Dalys clever kick through, while his Northampton club-mate Ollie Sleightholme scored twice out wide.

Zebo says Freeman, who has the second-most tries in the tournament alongside Jones, is a strong contender for the Lions.

"He has been fantastic for Northampton for some time and is a fantastic finisher," Zebo told BBCs Six Nations Rugby Special.

"He is definitely in with a shout. It is hot competition in the back three but he is probably the form player at the moment."

Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn, meanwhile, also strengthened his claim for a place on the plane.

The Toulouse flier showed his athleticism and power to finish two tries in victory over Wales, but his unavailability in the early stages of the tour with the Top 14 season still ongoing may concern Farrell.

Elsewhere, Hugo Keenan had a quiet game for Ireland and Englands Marcus Smith was dropped for Daly, before producing an impressive try-scoring performance from the bench at Allianz Stadium.

Lawrences early injury saw Smith, who usually operates at fly-half, enter the fray at full-back with 32-year-old Daly moving into midfield.

Daly will be targeting a third Lions tour after starring at outside centre, while Smith made a crucial try-saving tackle on Italys Matt Gallagher before stretching Englands lead with a fine solo finish at the other end.

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