Lawrence Dallaglio names his Lions back-row to dominate the Springboks

The now BT Sport commentator and pundit, who went on three Lions tours, became one of the most decorated and successful English players of all time.

Emerging as a raw talent in the back row during England's victory at the 1993 Sevens World Cup at Murrayfield, Dallaglio went on to secure 85 England caps and cement his place as a hero of English rugby.

DID YOU KNOW? Although he's known to us all as Lawrence Dallaglio, his full name is Lorenzo Bruno Nero Dallaglio

“I wouldn’t discount someone like Aaron Wainwright coming back into the reckoning at some point,” said Dallaglio in naming Courtney Lawes, his starting six.

“I do see the seven jersey being a straight shoot-out between Tom Curry, who will go toe-to-toe with Justin Tipuric.

“Maybe a fit-again Ellis Jenkins, who knows, could also stake a claim along with the likes of Hamish Watson.

“But Curry for me is one that Gatland has already name-checked.”

Dallaglio feels that although Faletau is the ‘man in possession’ having started all three Tests against the All Blacks, the Wales No.8 is in for a battle royal with Billy Vunipola.

“Faletau even though he’s had a lack of minutes on the pitch, he’s a lightly run horse in terms of using that parlance,” he said.

“Vunipola obviously has got the pedigree to play there and if there were two or three big games between now and the Lions tour, I would like to see Billy stand up and be counted in those matches and come through as the number one choice.”