Sir Ian McGeechan says he would back Maro Itoje to captain The British & Irish Lions against South Africa, should the series be starting tomorrow.
Here the Lions and Scotland legend picks his five 'nailed on' starters for his XV to face South Africa in 2021.
1. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Position: fly-half
McGeechan said: "You've got to go for him at fly-half. I think South Africa would be worried if they saw a Lions team with Finn Russell in it.
Finn Russell of Scotland during the Six Nations Championship, 127th Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on January 6 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
"Yes, they may feel they could challenge him and cause issues with his decision-making, but I think he's matured tremendously since he's played with Racing 92, and all the messages coming out of the Scotland camp are about how good he's been in training; talking to other players, getting ideas across and decision-making, which is so important for a 10.
"Go back a few years and there was one Gregor Townsend who did the same. He's a tremendous passer of the ball and is very good at running support lines and can take the first player on, but it's the variety of his kicking game that could be so important on the highveld as well as at sea level."
2. Kyle Sinckler (England)
Position: Tighthead-prop
McGeechan said: "He gets in at tighthead prop for his impact. Sinckler is good with ball in hand, so you've got all the bonus of a very good footballer in open play, but technically you've got a good tighthead as well."
3. Owen Farrell (England)
Position: Fly-half
McGeechan said: "I would put Farrell at inside centre because I think you also need a goal kicker in a Test team.
"You've got to be prepared to win it by penalties as well as tries, if you need to. Farrell, with his experience, played very well in New Zealand for the Lions at 12."
4. Maro Itoje (England)
Position: Second-row
McGeechan said: "Itoje is definitely one of them and I'd bracket him as a possible captain. He's a hell of a competitor.
"When you watch him, he's into everything. He reads things so well, he's niggling, he leads by example. He's a really intelligent lad and a really intelligent rugby player."
5. Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
Position: Fullback
McGeechan said: "It has to be at full-back, he's in outstanding form and he's confident. He's making fewer errors, he's good under the high-ball and I think against South Africa you need players who can break the game up.
"We know how good a player Elliot Daly is, he's just not where he was a couple of years ago."
