Warren Gatland teases position change for Sam Simmonds

The No.8 broke a Gallagher Premiership record at the Brentford Community Stadium, his third of the night taking him to 19 for the season – two more than any other player has ever achieved in a single campaign.

Simmonds, who has consistently been overlooked by England, could play a crucial role for the Lions against South Africa this summer after being selected by Warren Gatland.

A number 8 with the foot speed of a centre, Gatland has reportedly revealed he's open to the try-scoring machine playing a role in the midfield if the situation presents itself.

Simmonds wouldn't be the first English back-rower to play in the centre following Sam Burgess’ infamous switch into the midfield for England during their disastrous 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.

However, Gatland reportedly wants to try him in that position in training early in the tour with the view of using him as a back-up option against the physical Springboks.

As Simmonds’ club coach Rob Baxter said this week: “If you get Sam on the ball in any kind of space, or not that much space, that ability to get you over the gainline and moving forward quickly is second to none in the Premiership at the moment.

“He’s not a soak-up tackler, he’s a guy who gets off the line and stops people – and what his speed allows him to do is make tackles that no other forward makes. He’s the guy you [want to] get on the ball, the receiver at line-outs, and a strike runner in the backline – as a runner or a decoy.”

What they said: "Although he didn't get much game time, Wade was referred to as a fantastic 'tourist' and perhaps will most be remembered for the camera panning to his teammates during a warm up match with him giggling away as he combed his hair."

What we think: The one-cap England wide-man was called up to play in the Brumbies game but stole the show for his hair-combing off the field, not his rugby. An abundance of speed and can finish but looked very raw and didn’t relish defensive duties.

What they said: "Titterrell wasn't ready to come up against behemoth's like Mealamu and co; he really struggled against the bigger packs. He went on to play five times internationally and now he's part of the Wasps dressing room; a really solid career that doesn't get the praise that it deserves despite the time period."

What we think: Choosing to select an enormous 44-man squad, Clive Woodward made several left field selections. None more so than a Sale Sharks hooker with only two caps for England. His technical and physical skills were not good enough for the Lions.

What they said: "Court actually thought he was being pranked by some senior squad members with the call up! It might have come as a shock to see a man, currently on holiday over in Australia, suddenly get pushed into one of the most exciting Lion's tours of recent memory."

What we think: “Whilst not selected for the Test team, the London Irish man must be considered one of the strangest call-ups in Lions history, joining the squad while on holiday with his family in 2013. He made no real impact to the trip but held up the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels.”

What they said: "With 19 caps under his belt and in the interest of versatility, you can sort of understand why he was introduced into the fray."

What we think:  It may be easy to forget, but Twelvetrees was one of the most exciting talents in Europe when he was called up. He’d impressed for England in his four caps, and looked set for a bright international future. This pick feels more deemed on the use of hindsight.

What they said: "Wait, wait, wait, hear me out! You might be wondering, 'why would a 30 cap international lock, who's just won the Six Nations be a weird pick for the Lions?' Well the answer is simple, Joe Launchbury."

What we think: If it was purely based on form and pedigree, the likes of England captain Dylan Hartley and lock Joe Launchbury would have been on their way to Auckland from Buenos Aires.  Brian O'Driscoll famously said of Hill, "I don't even know who he is,".