"A rookie can make a big impact" - Jason Robinson names his 'all out attack' Lions back-three

Friday, 21 May 2021 at 19:38

byRugby Rucker

Writing for the Daily Express, Jason Robinson has included seven English players in his British and Irish Lions starting 15 to face South Africa in the first test this summer.

BACK-THREE:

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
14. Anthony Watson (England)
11. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

Robinson said: "I'd want Louis Rees-Zammit on the wing. He has the pace to go the distance on the hard grounds of South Africa. He has only played a handful of Wales Tests but a rookie can make a big impact on a Lions tour. I guess I should know."

CENTRES:

13. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
12. Manu Tuilagi (England)

Robinson wrote: "Manu Tuilagi has been out of sight since November but he definitely should not be out of Warren Gatland's mind when he names his Lions squad."

HALFBACKS:

10. Owen Farrell (England)
9. Cinor Murray (Ireland)

Robinson wrote: "Farrell had a disappointing Six Nations and is playing Championship rugby at the moment with Saracens but I would expect him to regain his form as a Lions tour progresses."

FRONT-ROW:

1. Mako Vunipola (England)
2. Jamie George (England)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Robinson wrote: "I would also select Jamie George, a terrific Lion in 2017 who lost his England place in the Six Nations ."

SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje (England)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)

Robinson wrote: "Jones had a great Six Nations leading Wales to the title, has all the experience in the world and is a figure who is used to playing with the pressures of captaincy.

"I know Maro Itoje has been talked about for the job in some quarters but to lead the Lions you need to be a captain of your national side or at least your club and Itoje is neither so just let him do what he does best and play."

BACK-ROW:

6. Tom Curry (England)
7. Hamish Watson (Scotland)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Robinson wrote: "Hamish Watson showed in the Six Nations he can punch above his weight and he can help the Lions to move South Africa around and, in tandem with Tom Curry, disrupt them at the breakdown."