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With Caelan Doris looking likely to miss this summer's Lions tour, Andy Farrell and his coaching team will be scratching their heads over who their first choice No.8 will now be.
With Caelan Doris looking likely to miss this summer's Lions tour, Andy Farrell and his coaching team will be scratching their heads over who their first choice No.8 will now be.
There's no doubt in anyone's minds that a fit and firing Doris would be a nailed on starter for the three tests but the Ireland international's shoulder surgery has caused a seismic blow to Farrell's plans and has blown selection wide open.
Doris even put in a timely display during Leinster's agonising Champions Cup semi-final defeat, the highlight being his second half textbook strip turnover and 50:22.
No.8 isn't a position in which Farrell is particularly blessed with options. He has plenty of back row's at his disposal who could fill in there but traditional bulky, dominant ball carriers are few and far between.
Henry Pollock, Jack Willis, Ben Earl and Tom Curry all have experience of playing there but are much better suited to flanker.
Therefore, here are three out and out No.8 options:
Tom Willis - England & Saracens
The 6ft 3inch, 120kgs forward is a bruiser in fine form.
Willis earned himself an England recall for this year's Six Nations, where he demonstrated his monstrous physicality in a standout first half display against Italy.
The 26-year-old has been on a one-man mission to cause havoc to opposing defences, brushing off tackles and taking names throughout the season.
Willis is a strong contender for Premiership player of the season given the Saracen is top in carries, metres made (both 217) and defenders beaten (78 - clear by a whopping 22 of second place Joe Carpenter).
On the other side of the ball, Willis is also dangerous, though, as he ranks third in turnovers won (15).
Meanwhile, in the Champions Cup Willis is the competition's top tackler with 70.
The only caveat would be his lack of international experience having only amassed five caps with Steve Borthwick still seeing Willis as England's second choice No.8 behind Earl.
Taulupe Faletau - Wales & Cardiff
If you're wanting experience, Faletau is your man.
The 34-year-old Wales centurion has been one of the game's best ball carriers in tight situations since he emerged in 2011.
Faletau has been on the last three Lions tours, playing in four tests and scored against the All Blacks in 2017. He knows what it takes to rise to the big occasion and has led Wales virtually single handedly at times.
However, Faletau's prime years are firmly behind him and while he's returned to form in recent weeks, it has to be said that both Wales and Cardiff have been enduring miserable seasons, miles away from competing for honours which may cost him.
Jack Conan - Ireland & Leinster
A Lions tourist in 2021, Conan, who has largely played second fiddel with both club and country to Doris, may get a golden opportunity to take the Lions 8 jersey and run with it Down Under.
Out of the three players, Conan is certainly the most prolific, having scored in the opening three rounds of the URC, as well as three times in this year's Six Nations.
At 6ft 4inch and 111kgs, he can be a force of nature to try and stop and perhaps it's time for Conan to show he's more than just an impact substitute.
Conan started all four Test matches, including the Murrayfield warm up against Japan, in 2021, as he ousted selection rivals Faletau and Sam Simmonds.
The 32-year-old has the experience with 51 Ireland caps and has of course worked closely with Farrell for a long time, meaning he could be the prime eightman.