“I don’t think any 10 really lit it up this weekend.”
Sam Warburton and John Barclay were in the BBC studios to select their Lions sides after the first round of the Six Nations.
Welshman Warburton is a two-time Lions captain – in 2013 and 2017 – and regarded as one of the best players of his generation. Barclay was an integral part of his Scotland’s team for over a decade and captained them as well.
Their Lions selections were based on the first round of the 2025 Championship.
Barclay opted for seven Irish, with Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley, and James Lowe.
However, while Warburton also went for seven Irish, his selection had a couple of changes.
He chose England’s Ellis Genge at loosehead prop over Porter, citing his ball carrying as a factor.
But he went for Bundee Aki at centre, with the Connacht man looking back to his best after an under-par Autumn Nations Series.
At out-half he went against the consensus, opting for Sam Prendergast at No 10.
The 21-year-old had a shaky day with the boot in the first half against England, before Jack Crowley steered Ireland home with a much more polished kicking performance.
On Prendergast, Warburton said: “He did have some nice kick options, some nice passes which unlocked the back line, but I don’t think any 10 really lit it up this weekend.”
