Jeremy Guscott reveals the England snub he ‘would definitely pick’ for the Lions and the star who ‘cannot be ignored’
Bath and England scrum-half Ben Spencer and an insert of Lions legend Jeremy Guscott.
British and Irish Lions legend Jeremy Guscott has pinpointed the “inexplicable” England snub that he would select for the tour to Australia.
The three-time tourist has also picked out the Englishman “who cannot be ignored” ahead of Andy Farrell’s squad announcement on May 8.
Guscott’s shock Lions selection
In his latest Rugby Paper column, Guscott wrote that he cannot understand why Bath star Ben Spencer is overlooked by England head coach Steve Borthwick, adding that he would select the scrum-half.
Additionally, he believes that if Exeter Chiefs and England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is fit in time for the British and Irish Lions tour, he has to be selected.
Last year, the 22-year-old speedster set the international scene alight with his performances earning him a nomination for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Award.
However, he has suffered back-to-back injury setbacks which meant that he has been sidelined since January, the latest of which may rule him out of the tour entirely.
“I would also like to see some players on the outer fringes of Lions selection given a chance to tour,” he wrote.
“I would definitely pick Ben Spencer, is a world class scrum-half, but has inexplicably not been picked by England, and if Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is fit, he is a match-winning wing who cannot be ignored.
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Ignoring Premiership form
The former midfielder adds that Farrell will be weighting international form over that of club rugby with Premiership and Investec Champions Cup performances mattering less.
Northampton Saints are the only Premiership club to have progressed to the Champions Cup semi-finals after defeating Castres. The other clubs didn’t reach the quarter-finals with Saracens, Harlequins, Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers bowing out in the round of 16.
“There may be some questions raised over England’s Lions contingent after the heavy losses suffered by Premiership clubs in the European Cup round of 16 last weekend,” he continued.
“What it showed is that the French Top 14 teams have not changed in defence – it’s proper, you chase, you think about it, there’s pride in it – because you’ve got promotion and relegation.
“On the other hand, without relegation the Premiership has become looser in defence, because there is not much fear of the consequences.
“My belief is that English players will be selected by Andy Farrell on the basis of how the best players in England performed in the autumn Tests and in the Six Nations. International form is always the main yardstick in Lions selection, not Premiership form.”
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