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In-form Ospreys outside-half Sam Davies can not only force his way into Wales' autumn international plans but onto the plane for the British and Irish Lions' tour to New Zealand next summer.

That is the belief of former England and Lions outside-half Stuart Barnes, who while predicting Friday night's Guinness Pro12 showdown in Dublin between the Ospreys and Leinster is the first act of a potential 10-month audition between Dan Biggar and Johnny Sexton to wear the No.10 jersey against the All Blacks, claims Davies' mercurial talents for the Liberty Stadium region cannot be overlooked.

Davies, who has been in commanding form for the Ospreys in Biggar's absence, switches to full-back for the RDS Arena clash.

And though the former IRB world junior player of the year has still to make an international appearance for Wales, respected Sky TV pundit and newspaper columnist Barnes, writing in the Times, believes Davies could well force his way into coach Warren Gatland's Lions plans between now and next summer.

"The Wales fly-half (Biggar) has to prove to people in Wales that he is the right man even to lead the Ospreys line," wrote Barnes, who played eight times for the Lions, juts two less appearances than he made for England.

“Sam Davies plays full-back tonight but has started this season like he finished the last one, in mint condition.

“He kicks with Sexton’s sort of variety and loves to play on the gain line, where defenders have less time to operate.

"It was interesting to read the Ospreys press release when the team was announced on Thursday.

"There wasn't a mention that this was Biggar's first game of the season.

"It was almost as if coach Steve Tandy was embarrassed to shift Davies back to No.15 when he has been so influential a presence this season.

“Biggar, of course, has the CV and deserves a show of faith from his management but with Davies oozing class at the same club, the king of kick-and-chase has little leeway for lapses in form.

"Should Davies oust Biggar in the Ospreys team there is every chance he could earn enough autumn international time to become a contender for the tour to New Zealand in his own right.”

Barnes, who has dismissed the hopes of seeing Red Rose Grand Slam winners Owen Farrell and George Ford filling the coveted 10 jersey in the land of the long white cloud, believes it’s Biggar and Sexton who hold the whip hands to battle it out for the Lions jersey next summer with their Friday night showdown at the RDS providing a fascinating sideshow to the Guinness Pro12 clash.

Barnes added: “Dan Biggar makes his first start of the season for the Ospreys tonight. Against him in Leinster colours is another man not yet to have laced a boot in anger, Johnny Sexton.

“The Welshman has a warm spot in the heart of Warren Gatland, the Lions head coach, while Sexton has been the supreme fly-half talent in British and Irish rugby union this decade.

“On form they are favourites to travel to New Zealand as the Lions fly halves, with Owen Farrell well positioned as an inside centre/third option at fly half.

“On form is the key. The Welshman was regarded as one of the stars throughout the 2015 World Cup without anyone wanting to analyse the pretty severe limitations to his all-round game.

“Sexton, unlike his counterpart in tonight’s Guinness Pro12 game, is the complete player, the most established class act in this hemisphere but when fit to play last season there was rarely much consistency.

“He wasn’t quite at his peak three years ago but he was near enough to it in the third Lions Test against Australia to shake his head when substituted with the series settled.

“He was desperate to see out the 80 minutes.

“Sexton, who returns tonight after shoulder surgery, likes to be in charge whereas Biggar, who was given an extended rest after Wales’ summer tour to New Zealand, used to be one of those people shy in the presence of geese.

“By his own admission too taciturn, he had found that rugby has been the outlet for self expression.

“Along with Alun Wyn Jones he will chivvy the Ospreys from start to finish tonight.

“But great communicator and defender that he undoubtedly is, there remains a conservatism to his game that does not fit in with the proclaimed Lions ambition of Gatland.

“Standing so deep, he will frequently take his own back line out of the equation.

“While being the king of the kick-and-chase is quite a party piece, it comes at the price of alienating his back line and, with the defusing skills of Ben Smith at full-back for New Zealand, that one trick may not conjure up the magic witnessed at the World Cup.

“Contrasting characters and technicians, what unites Biggar and Sexton is a fierce determination to succeed.

“Both possess that channelled determination that Farrell brings to his game but they are going to need form as well as Gatland’s faith if they are going to be vying for the No.10 position in New Zealand.”