Wednesday 29 March 2017 18:09, UK
This weekend's Champions and Challenge Cup quarter-finals presents a final chance for some players to push their claims for British and Irish Lions selection.
Warren Gatland names his squad for the tour of New Zealand on April 19 and having been a keen observer during the Six Nations, it's likely the Kiwi coach already has a long list of possible tourists.
However, some players who played bit-part roles in the Six Nations - and others who are in international exile - will feel a big performance in Europe could see them selected in the touring party.
Here are six players who will be hoping to catch Gatland's eye…
Taulupe Faletau
Faletau made a return to the Wales setup during this year's Six Nations after an injury lay-off but impressive performances from Ross Moriarty limited the Bath No 8 to four appearances from the bench.
Given his relatively short amount of time on the pitch in the championship - 108 minutes in total - the 26-year-old's tackle count of 27 was impressive.
Faletau carried that defensive form into the Premiership - and with Saracens first up for Bath, it was needed. Mark McCall's men routed the visitors 53-10 at Allianz Park but it could have been worse had the loose forward not made a series of vital tackles and turnovers near his own tryline.
With Wales' back row of Moriarty, Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric running so smoothly it will be difficult for Faletau to sneak his way into the Wales team, never mind the Lions, but he started in the series-winning third Test against the Wallabies in 2013, and was a mainstay in Gatland's 2012 and 2013 Six Nations title-winning campaigns.
Can he play his way into contention on the European stage?
Peter O'Mahony
Having been restricted to just 31 minutes of action during the opening four rounds of the Six Nations, O'Mahony made up for lost time with a man-of-the-match display as Ireland ended England's Six Nations Grand Slam dreams.
The Munster skipper was outstanding against the back-to-back champions, disrupting the English lineout and making a crucial steal with seven minutes remaining. He also pitched in with 12 tackles and 10 carries.
O'Mahony backed that up with another 80-minute outing in Parma last weekend - albeit against vastly inferior opposition - winning seven lineouts and stealing two of Zebre's throws, and his ability in the air could see him given the nod other the Lions contenders.
The competition for back-row places in Gatland's squad is fierce but another big performance against Toulouse on Saturday and O'Mahony could be packing his bags.
Chris Ashton
The last of Ashton's 39 Tests came in New Zealand in June 2014, with Stuart Lancaster opting not to employ the winger's services in the 2015 World Cup and Eddie Jones following suit in his 18 Tests in charge.
It appears Ashton has come to terms with being out of favour in the international setup, signing a deal to join Toulon at the end of the current season - a move which rules him out of contention beyond question due to England's rule on selecting overseas-based players.
But should Gatland consider him for the Lions in June? McCall gave the 29-year-old his backing after Ashton scored twice in Sarries' win over Bath on Sunday.
Those tries took him joint top of Saracens' individual try-scorers in the Premiership this season, despite playing less games than Jamie George and Alex Lozowski, who have also scored six times.
It is the same in the Champions Cup, where Ashton has scored three tries to go joint-top despite playing in only two games.
There is no questioning his ability to find the whitewash but a lack of opportunities for England would make Ashton's selections for the Lions one of the most left-field in recent memory.
Christian Wade
Wade had just made his England debut when he was called up as cover during the Lions' tour of Australia in 2013.
He has since failed to add to that single cap with question marks continually raised about his defending, but there is no doubting Wade's talents in attack.
The 25-year-old's brace against Worcester last Sunday took his tally to 11 tries in eight games, and 15 for the season. "He was the difference between the two teams on the day," said Wasps director of rugby Dai Young.
Wade terrorises defenders with his electric pace and footwork. He leads the Premiership with 32 line breaks and is second behind Semesa Rokoduguni for defenders beaten (69).
Take the Italian cannon-fodder out of the equation and it was not a prolific Six Nations for wingers. Excluding games against the Azzurri, they accounted for just eight of the 34 tries scored.
A big display against Leinster and Wade's form could prove difficult for Gatland to ignore.
Danny Cipriani
Another Wasp in the international wilderness, Cipriani has the perfect opportunity to stake his claim when he comes against the leading contender for the Lions No 10 shirt, Johnny Sexton, on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has remained surplus to requirements under England head coach Jones but has been a consistent performer at club level as Wasps remain on course for a Premiership and Champions Cup double.
"Anyone who is playing right now would hope the joker gets pulled and it's them that gets pulled into the squad," said Cipriani.
Inconsistent place-kicking has been a regular criticism of Cipriani's game but with Owen Farrell likely to assume those duties for the Lions, that would free up Cipriani and allow him to concentrate on doing what he does best.
Sexton and Farrell are certain to travel to New Zealand but the third fly-half spot remains up for grabs. Cipriani remains well down the pecking but a match-winning display at the Aviva Stadium could change that.
David Strettle
Ashton or Wade wouldn't even be the biggest bolter if Strettle gets the call - the winger last ran out for England in Argentina in June 2013.
But if you spoke to Clermont fans they wouldn't consider the 33-year-old a bolter; Strettle has scored 10 tries in 13 outings for the club in the Top 14 this season, second only to Waisea Nayacalevu of Stade Francais and double that of the next best in Clermont.
The 14-Test international has also made the most clean breaks for his club with 17 and is second in terms of defenders beaten with 24.
Alongside Strettle in Clermont is Nick Abendanon, who has been the club's leading light in the Champions Cup. The full-back has scored the most tries for his club in Europe with five, is second in metres made with 305 metres, and is third in defenders beaten with nine in five outings.
Can either of them catch the eye of Gatland?
