Smith duel with Prendergast could define Lions hopes

Sometimes players like to pretend they barely contemplate their direct opponent.

- Robert Kitson

That way they can neatly sidestep all external comparisons and inner doubts and concentrate on their own jobs. It is a team game, after all, and it never pays to waste time fretting about things over which you have limited control.

Every now and again, though, the "game within a game" duel narrative is unavoidable. Even if Leinster's pack give a well-stuffed armchair ride to their young fly-half Sam Prendergast on Saturday, his Harlequins opposite number Marcus Smith will still be expected to make some sort of impact. If not, his chances of being among the chosen few to tour with the British & Irish Lions this summer will recede and Prendergast's will be suitably enhanced.

Should one game shape selectorial opinion? Not usually. But this one is taking place at Croke Park where Irish sides have become mighty hard to overcome. Leinster have yet to be beaten there and no English national rugby side or club has ever prevailed at the citadel of Gaelic sport. If Smith can weave some magic there, he can weave it anywhere.

There is pressure on Prendergast, too. Anyone with eyes can see the 22-year-old has huge potential. But Lions tours are not developmental expeditions. As Andy Farrell made clear last week, winning the series in Australia is the be-all and end-all.