‘Phenomenal’ Hamish Watson backed for Lions call-up

Colin Newboult

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg believes that openside flanker and team-mate Hamish Watson has done more than enough to receive a Lions call-up.

Despite being in impressive form four years ago, the back-rower missed out on the New Zealand tour due to fierce competition in the position.

Once again, he faces a battle to get into the squad, with several players putting their hands up, but Watson was one of the best flankers in the 2021 Six Nations.

The 29-year has been nominated for the player of the tournament award and Hogg, who should also make the plane, insists that Watson has done enough to convince Lions head coach Warren Gatland.

“He’s been one of our best players for a number of years,” Hogg told the BBC. “But I think in this Six Nations he has really come into his own.

“He hardly missed a tackle. His work-rate is not only in games, during the week he really drives standards, he gets the best out of his body.

A real professional

“He’s a real professional and doesn’t take himself too seriously.

“He has been phenomenal for a number of years now and this Six Nations has put him up there with the best sevens, definitely in Britain if not the world.”

Watson was a key part of Scotland’s Six Nations campaign, where they secured landmark away victories over England and France.

It was only enough for fourth place, however, after they endured frustrating narrow home losses to Wales and Ireland, but Hogg sees an improvement and believes that it should lead to a greater Scottish contingent in the Lions squad.

“A result at Twickenham and in Paris are massive for us because I’m led to believe they’re looking at away records and the fact that we haven’t backed up what we said we were going to do in previous years,” he added.

“I’d like to think there will be more than two Scots. I’d love to see as many Scottish boys on that tour as possible.

“We’ve played some good rugby individually and collectively. It’s all in the hands of Gatland and the rest of the coaches, so fingers crossed.”