Months of hard work finally paid off with a devastating display of attacking rugby from England against France but despite the red rose's scintillating performance, selecting a Lions XV made up of Celts remains a feasibly simple exercise for the British & Irish Lions first Test against South Africa.

Lions tours are all about momentum and form and on the basis on the Six Nations so far, Tom Croft, Delon Armitage and Riki Flutey could all state strong cases for a starting berth.

Croft's versatility and superior athleticism marks him out as a unique option for Ian McGeechan on the blind-side. Ryan Jones and Stephen Ferris have their qualities but the tantalising opportunity of unleashing Croft on the hard tracks in the Cape could swing the balance in the Leicester Tiger's favour.

Armitage and Flutey were only just flashing upon England's radar eight months ago, but the pair's outstanding contributions during Europe's spring rugby festival, most of all their natural instincts and the ability to beat their man on the outside, should at least see them somewhere near the airpot check-in desk.

Mark Cueto, a previous Lions tourist, and Harry Ellis have been bricks in Johnson's team-building blocks while Ben Foden, a hotly tipped left-field pick, with McGeechan a well-known admirer, offers match-winning class in abundance.

And then there is Jonny Wilkinson, who for the umpteenth time, seems to be planning his timely comeback from injury to perfection. If he’s fit, you can bet your house on England’s golden-boot wearing the number ten shirt.

Ireland and Wales will undoubtedly share most of the jerseys but given a slice of luck and a strong showing in Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash, a few of England's dreamers could well find themselves over in the Rainbow Nation come June instead of walking out at Old Trafford against Argentina.