The Lions back-row Richard Hill would pick to beat the Springboks

Thursday, 10 June 2021 at 15:35

byRugby Rucker

Be it for Saracens, England or The British & Irish Lions, Richard Hill is recognised by his peers, coaches and media alike as one of the great flankers of the past 25 years.

The legendary flanker played 288 times for Saracens and 71 times for England making him one of the modern greats of the English game. He also played five Tests for the British and Irish Lions between 1997 and 2005.

“It was a massive honour and highlight of my life to go on one Lions Tour, let alone three, and to win a series,” Hill said of his time in the Lions shirt. “There are no regrets.

“With the benefit of hindsight there are always things you would perhaps do differently. But the Lions was an incredible experience and a privilege.”

Here, we look at the balanced back-row trio that Hill would likely play if he was in Warren Gatland's head coach position. Below is what former teammate Will Greenwood had to say about his picks.

BLINDSIDE-FLANKER: Tom Curry (England)

Current age 22 years 360 days
Major teams England Under-20s, Sale Sharks, England
Position Flanker

HE SAID: "Curry is non-negotiable – again – among England’s disappointing Six Nations; so physical, so dynamic, so powerful. An awesome player with an outrageous engine."

england star tom curry was left covered in blood against france 1085210

DID YOU KNOW? Curry is the twin brother of Sale Sharks flanker Ben Curry, son of Bishop Heber High School Head Teacher David Curry and nephew of former England hooker John Olver and cousin of former Northampton Saints and current Ealing Trailfinders fly-half Sam Olver.

OPENSIDE-FLANKER: Hamish Watson (Scotland)

Current age 29 years
Major teams Edinburgh, Scotland Under-20s, Scotland
Position Back-row

HE SAID: "Surrounded by giant players, he doesn’t take no for an answer. Such a tremendous ball-carrier, so physical, and a ferocious competitor. You just know he’ll be a great Lion."

DID YOU KNOW? At the start of his English professional career he moved to Oakham in Rutland and was at the Leicester Tigers Academy.

NUMBER 8: Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Current age 30 years 210 days
Major teams Bath Rugby, British and Irish Lions, Dragons, Welsh Probables, Wales
Position Back-row

HE SAID: "Very few arguments surround the consistently brilliant Faletau making the plane. He looks fit, healthy and can play any style, fitting in with all back-row combinations,"

DID YOU KNOW? As a young boy, his school friends struggled to pronounce his Tongan name, and so he picked up the nickname Toby. In recent years, he has requested that his rugby squad name be recorded more accurately as Taulupe