It's All About Henry The Eight - But Jack Was More Than All Right - While Finn Simply Did Finn Things

LIONS v WESTERN FORCE went as I expected it to; some early hiccups, before the Lions pulled clear in the final quarter. Of course it was a bit of a curate's egg, there is still work to do, but, it was a satisfying start.

It is too early to write players in or out of the Test XV, but, looking at the performances of the Scottish players who were involved, I would say:

• Pierre Schoeman – has some work to do if he is to be involved in the Tests. As things stand, he looks still like the third-choice loose-head

• Scott Cummings – ditto, did little wrong, although he has been criticised for his part in some kick-off reception uncertainty; needs more game time

• Finn Russell – wrap him in cotton wool and only bring him out for the big games. He was immediately in charge of things, produced some moments of magic and will surely be the Test 10

• Sione Tuipulotu – linked well at 12, did some good things and on this form ought to be in the Test XV

• Huw Jones – good to see him back off the bench and straight into doing Shuggie things, running great lines. The centres' selection battle will be very-interesting

Sky Sports' cringe-worthy Henry Pollock love-in continued. Yes, he's a good player, but he is far from being the finished article Fleet Street is trying to build him into. Much of the coverage so far gives the impression this is “The Henry Pollock Tour”. I sense some of the more larakin Aussies he will encounter, further down the road, are looking forward to meeting him.

Of the non-Scots, I thought Joe McCarthy's Man of the Match award was really justified, Elliot Daly impressed at full-back, the Irish wingers played well while the forwards who came off the bench all did a real Bomb Squad job.

The guys who come in against Queensland Reds in midweek now have a big job to do to impress.

I WANTED to enjoy the Barbarians v South Africa game, from Cape Town, however, after the build-up, five minutes of the “the Springboks are all supermen and wonderful with it” commentary was too much for me, and I baled out.

THE BEST was saved until last – the Top 14 Final, between Toulouse and UBB; we even got a bonus of 20 minutes of extra time, before the outstanding Thomas Ramos finally hauled Toulouse over the line.

Henry Pollock's Fleet Street cheer-leaders probably missed this one. Their loss, had they watched it, all the superlatives being used on young Master Pollock would have been seen for the rubbish they are. Because the best back rower in Europe was on-view for Toulouse – England exile Jack Willis. He gave a fantastic display, if there is a back row vacancy in the Lions party, they really ought to call him up – he's that good. That said, we should be thankful RFU selection criteria means, for as long as he plays in France, he will not be picked for England.

Ramos was terrific, while, playing on the wing, Blair Kinghorn caught the eye a few times, as did, on the other side, Damien Penaud. Over the 100 minutes plus, I felt Toulouse edged it, but, they were made to work for what was their 24^th French title, by the European Champions. This game really proved, the Top 14 is the best league in world rugby.