The opening matches in this year's Six Nations doubled up as the first open auditions for this summer's British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. But instead of Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh deciding the destiny of the most talented individuals we have messrs Ian McGeechan and Gerald Davies.

Like millions of other fans across the continent, I'm sure they slipped into their favourite armchairs with a cup of tea by their side and notebook and pen in hand ready to piece together their squad to tackle the Springboks. They probably skipped most of England's clash with Italy to clear the snow from their driveways but hopefully returned to their slippers in time for the delights of the Croke Park and timed their Sunday lunches around Wales' impressive showing against the Scots.

So, what have we all learnt from the first round of matches? How many Welsh players would make the Lions Test team if it was named tomorrow? Would any Englishmen be boarding the plane to South Africa?

Here's who caught our eye and can surely forget any holiday plans in June:

Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)
The athletic lock scored a try against the Scots and rampaged around the field on his way to a table-topping 13 tackles (along with Ireland's Luke Fitzgerald).

Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Just when Ireland needed their colossus to deliver a big performance he obliged in all departments. A second row partnership with Jones surely beckons?

Jamie Heaslip (Ireland)
The Irishman sounded out a warning to his potential Lions backrow rivals with a barnstorming performance against France including a superby taken try with impressive sidestep to boot.

Martyn Williams (Wales)
Another masterclass from the Nugget as part of a dominant Welsh pack. His skills at the breakdown mean he is a shoe-in for the tour and most likely the Test team.

Andy Powell (Wales)
The giant Welshman saw plenty of the ball against Scotland (an leading 12 carries) because he is such a formidable weapon. In-form and happy to take the attack to anyone - watch out Boks.

Ronan O’Gara (Ireland)
The Munsterman was on top form orchestrating the Irish with confidence and back to his best.

Shane Williams (Wales)
Another eye-catching display from the IRB Player of the Year including a try and superb offload in the tackle to set up team mate Leigh Halfpenny for a score. Worht his weight and more in gold.

Jamie Roberts (Wales)
Wales boss Warren Gatland has backed his centre for grest things and who are we to argue after he produced a man of the match display against the Scots, breaking the gainline time and time again.

Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
A superb try against the French had every man and his dog harking back to his memorable score for the Lions in Australiain 2001. Full of running and looks to be timing a return to top form to claim a place on his third Lions tour.

Rob Kearney (Ireland)
Sounded a warning that there is more than one contender for the Lions' No.15 shirt with another assured display against France.

Lee Byrne (Wales)
The talented fullback has long been tipped for Lions honours and produced another superb display in a red shirt against the Scots. great under the high ball and in broken play - and hard as nails, just ask the frozen Murrayfield turf.

Not an Englishman or Scotsman on my radar after the opening exchanges in the battle for the northern hemisphere crown but this is the Six Nations and we have got a long way to go - so who knows?