Stuart Lancaster has hailed the ten England players selected by Warren Gatland to tour with the British & Irish Lions this summer, claiming all make a huge impact in Australia.
While skipper Chris Robshaw, who led England to a second place finish in this year’s RBS 6 Nations and the now retired Jonny Wilkinson were overlooked by Gatland for the tour; Lancaster was still pleased with the number of his players selected.
Backs Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens) and Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), and forwards Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers) and Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) have been named in the 37-man squad for the tour to Hong Kong and Australia which includes three Tests against the Wallabies.
Obviously England coaches Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree will also be involved in the Lions touring party heading Down Under.
Lancaster said: “Being selected by the British & Irish Lions is a major honour and I know the England players named in the squad today will do the jersey proud.
“I’m sure they will contribute a great deal to the tour and coming into a new environment with the best players from Ireland, Scotland and Wales will only enhance their development as players and people.
“Taking on Australia away from home in three Tests is a great challenge but one I know they will relish. Everyone involved in England Rugby will be cheering them on.”
The 10-match tour opens against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1 with Tests against Australia on June 22 (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane), June 29 (Etihad Stadium, Melbourne) and July 6 (ANZ Stadium, Sydney).
England players selected for British & Irish Lions tour:
Backs: Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
