Gibbs - strong contender for Lions berth.
GIBBS MUST MAKE LIONS TOUR
By Dave Ord, Sporting Life
The Lions are spoilt for choice in the centres for their tour of Australia this summer - but they must reserve a spot on the plane for Scott Gibbs.
His two-try salvo against Italy was the perfect riposte to the critics who were suggesting something was amiss with his game.
Both illustrated his strength in the tackle and ability to penetrate in midfield, both priceless assets.
Gibbs faces a real battle to make the trip Down Under - indeed there are arguments that the Northern Hemisphere has never been better served in the centre positions.
Brian O'Driscoll is surely a guaranteed starter and then it is perm any one from four between Gibbs, Rob Henderson, the prolific Will Greenwood and flourishing Mike Catt.
Greenwood is similar in style to Gibbs while Catt offers more flair if a little less steel.
In Henderson you have a partner O'Driscoll knows well and another player who knows where the try line is.
It is a problem which Graham Henry will relish solving in the coming months - but given his praise of Gibbs on Sunday it will be a major surprise if he misses out.
Sunday's game in Rome was very much as expected.
Wales won with their play switching between thrilling running and a tendency to make too many errors.
Italy can again take satisfaction from their battling qualities and refusal to lie down but if Diego Dominguez has played his final international game, he leaves a huge gap to fill.
There are no signs a ready-replacement can be called upon and it will become a desperate search.
They can take heart from the display of their forwards and in Mauran Bergamasco they have one of the players of the tournament.
A fiery competitor and brilliant with the ball, he must be on the shopping list of ever Zurich Premiership chairman this summer.
However while they jet out to Europe to meet him, I hope Scott Gibbs is also airborn - heading to Australia.
At the time of writing Gibbs and O'Driscoll looks a centre partnership to cause the Wallabies many a sleepless night.
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