Warren Gatland should add on merit not geography - Eddie Jones
Rugby NewsSaturday, 17 June 2017 at 07:42
Warren Gatland should add players to the Lions squad in New Zealand based on "merit rather than geographical proximity", England head coach Eddie Jones says.
Wales are on tour in Australasia, while England are playing in Argentina.
"It's only a 13-hour trip from here to New Zealand," said Jones.
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"The [England] boys could be there."
"The Lions is a prestigious team - when you become a Lion, you're remembered for life.
"My only comment would be I would like to see it picked on merit rather than geographical proximity."
Former Lions Ben Kay, Ugo Monye, Ben Foden and Craig Chalmers have echoed Jones' thoughts.
Monye called it "complete bollocks" and Chalmers said "Lions shirts need to be handed to the best players in Britain & Ireland & not willy nilly!"
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