Sale Sharks secured a commanding victory over Saracens in a thrilling Premiership match on Friday night, solidifying their position in second place on the league table, just behind Bath. With their current momentum, Sale is creating pressure on Bath to maintain their spot at the top.

The match also featured a potential contender for the try of the season, with Arron Reed delivering a stunning performance. He picked up the ball deep in his own territory and sliced through the Saracens defense to score at the opposite end.

Beyond the thrilling plays, there was significant interest from British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell, especially in one key match-up that proved to be as exciting as anticipated.

The intense clash between Luke Cowan-Dickie from Sale and Jamie George of Saracens was particularly captivating. Both hookers showcased exceptional talent and were in stellar form.

Last weekend, Cowan-Dickie excelled as Sale dominated Harlequins, while George was impactful after being rested for the first half in Saracens’ match against Bristol. Upon entering the game, he demonstrated his fitness and sharpness, showing remarkable improvement since Christmas.

As the British & Irish Lions tour selection date approaches on May 8, these performances are critical. Historically, the Irish hookers have been leading the charge, with only one slot seemingly available for tour (three hookers are typically chosen). Ronan Kelleher and Dan Sheehan have been the frontrunners, and one knowledgeable colleague considers Kelleher among the best hookers in the sport’s current landscape.

It seemed until recently that only the front line of hookers was in contention, with Dewi Lake also in the mix, although Wales is expected to have a couple of representatives.

However, the dynamics have shifted dramatically. I believe both Cowan-Dickie and George deserve to be considered alongside their Irish counterparts as potential Test players. George already has a successful Lions tour experience from 2017 when he performed exceptionally well against the All Blacks.

Cowan-Dickie has been outstanding, not only scoring a try but also acting as the driving force behind Sale’s performance. Both he and George deliver exceptional lineout throwing and face scrummaging challenges with confidence. Their athleticism is impressive, especially considering their power-based playing style.

Another notable factor is that George stepped in for Theo Dan last Sunday, who has held the No.2 position for Saracens for quite some time and has represented England.

The four hookers previously mentioned—Cowan-Dickie, George, Kelleher, and Sheehan—each weigh around 110kg. Lake, at 116kg, is heavier, but all are formidable presences on the pitch.

Dan is the lightest at 105kg, but he possesses remarkable agility and skill, proving to be a significant asset both in tight situations and around the field. He scored two tries recently by contributing to driving mauls and demonstrating flanker-like instincts when not engaged in hooking.

In many respects, he could serve as an ideal substitute hooker, entering the game to change dynamics once the initial scrums have settled. Given the depth of talent in the hooker position, Dan could easily be chosen for the Lions as a second-half replacement to invigorate play, as he showcased last week before being substituted for the reliable George.

This analysis does not diminish the skill of the Irish hookers. However, it is clear that Farrell faces a considerable challenge in selecting from such a competitive pool of hookers.

Who will he ultimately select? Based on current form, I would slightly favor Cowan-Dickie, while recognizing the outstanding leadership and talent that George brings.

Farrell’s decision-making is no small task, and nothing is guaranteed at this stage for the two impressive Irish hookers.