This is being a little optimistic.
The British & Irish Lions squad will be announced by Warren Gatland on April 19, so there is very little time and few opportunities left for players to impress the Kiwi coach.
Gatland has stated on a number of occasions that the performance of players during the Six Nations would have been the main ‘shop window’ for players to display their credentials.
It is likely that the former Ireland head coach has his mind made up for the majority of the squad at this stage but there are high-quality games coming up this weekend in the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup.
This would seem to be the last major opportunity for players to put their hands up for selection.
When it comes to the out-half position, many believe that Johnny Sexton, barring injury, will be in the starting XV for the Test matches against New Zealand.
There are other potential candidates too to make the squad – Finn Russell, Dan Biggar, Owen Farrell and George Ford will all be in the conversation.
However, Wasps’ Director of Rugby, Dai Young, believes Danny Cipriani is in with a shout and he doesn’t want to see his man get distracted by a potential showdown with Johnny Sexton for Lions selection in Saturday’s upcoming match.
“The last thing from our point of view that we’re going to turn this into is a Danny Cipriani versus Johnny Sexton competition,” said Young.
“I’m sure Danny will want to be playing rugby somewhere in the summer, but he’s no different from anybody else.
“Every game is a chance for people to state their Lions case, but for us it’s solely about making sure we play our game.”
It’s a bit optimistic from Young to believe that Cipriani is in contention for a Lions spot at Sexton’s expense or that of the expense of the starting out-halves for Wales, Scotland or England.
Cipriani has not featured under Eddie Jones and his lack of international Test match rugby, you would expect, would rule him out of contention for touring in June.
We will find out in three weeks time.
