Iain Henderson has come to the party, in a big way.
The Ulster and Ireland lock put in an 80-minute performance against Chiefs that was brimming with intent and full of attacking endeavour. It was enough to register on the radar of All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick.
Henderson may yet make it onto the Lions bench for the First Test against New Zealand but, to get there, he would have to bump out one of George Kruis, Maro Itoje or Alun Wyn Jones. The fact that Henderson can cover the back row and is now right in form will surely stand to him.
Against Chiefs, he carried from with the bristling, brutish display against Highlanders last week.
Henderson featured heavily in the Lions mauls and was an enforcing pillar at ruck-time. He only made two carries in attack but landed 12 meaty tackles and featured as an impressive link man in some of the Lions more sweeping moves, notably his rapidly slung pass to set up Jack Nowell for his second try.
Following the game, former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick raved about Henderson as he picked him – along with Nowell, James Haskell, Justin Tipuric and Dan Cole – as the pick of the Lions on show.
“To take the All Blacks on,” said Fitzpatrick, “you need the big men doing the work.
“Iain Henderson has been outstanding. They got a penalty try but I think [Henderson] deserved that try himself.”
When it comes to the Test squad, though, Scott Quinell believes Gatland will go with Wyn Jones as back-up to Kruis and Itoje.
The minutes played are perhaps the clearest indicator – while the Welshman replaced the buzzed Courtney Lawes for 10 minutes, Henderson went from start to finish. He may have to bide his time for a Test appearance.
We’re sure Fizpatrick won’t mind that at all.
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