The core of this summer's Lions test team will no doubt be taking shape in Andy Farrell's mind as the Six Nations hurtles towards its conclusion.
Farrell will lead the Lions down under this July, as they seek to claim a test series victory for the first time since their last visit to Australia in 2013.
There is certain to be heavy Irish representation on Farrell's test team, with his Ireland team chasing a third successive Six Nations crown in his absence.
Captain Caelan Doris is the favourite to skipper the Lions in Oz, while his teammates Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Andrew Porter and more will all expect to be right in the mix to start the opening test on July 26.
One would also expect that at least one of Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, and James Lowe will be in line to start in the back three.
However, ex-Springbok and Munster star Jean de Villiers believes that Keenan could be usurped by Leinster and Ireland teammate Jamie Osborne at fullback.
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Jean de Villiers tips Jamie Osborne to start for Lions in Australia
22 February 2025; Jamie Osborne of Ireland dives over to score his side's second try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
World Cup-winning South African Jean de Villiers spoke on the Boks Office podcast this week and was asked for his pick at fullback for this summer's Lions tour of Australia.
In a world full of Hugo Keenan and Marcus Smith picks, de Villiers went rogue in selecting Keenan's up-and-coming Ireland teammate Jamie Osborne.
De Villiers highlighted the standout performances of Osborne when deputising for Keenan on the South Africa tour last summer, and his showing against Wales last weekend in the Six Nations.
I'm going to be very bold here and say that Jamie Osborne should start at fullback for the Lions.
Hugo Keenan obviously didn't play [in South Africa last year], he'd be my other contender.
But I think what I saw last year in South Africa...I like him [Osborne].
No [Marcus Smith doesn't start]. Definitely not.
The way [Osborne] played in South Africa last year, obviously played on the weekend, I like him.
It probably won't happen but that's what I'm going for.
Given Osborne's versatility across the back five, he would no doubt be a smart Lions squad pick for Andy Farrell.
It would be a major call were he to be named at 15 for the opening test but, should his impressive provincial and international form continue, he may cause Andy Farrell selection headaches.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the 23-year-old starts at 14 for Ireland's crunch Six Nations clash with France on Saturday. He has featured at 11 but never at 14 for Leinster, and has typically favoured a spot either in the centre or full-back.
Osborne will have a big chance to prove his versatility and his worth to Andy Farrell's Lions project this weekend.
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