I’d go for Hardy at No.9, says Robshaw

FORMER England captain Chris Robshaw has picked his British and Irish Lions XV – with some surprising inclusions.

Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy is his selection at nine, despite the youngster making just one start in the Six Nations, while Taulupe Faletau is shifted to blindside flanker to accommodate Exeter No. 8 Sam Simmonds.

Joe Marler is also picked at loosehead prop, even though he was not involved in the Six Nations, while Scotland maverick Finn Russell gets the nod at flyhalf, with Owen Farrell shifted to 12.

Hardy and Faletau aren’t the only Welsh inclusions, with captain Alun Wyn Jones, Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams also selected.

Explaining his decisions on the RugbyPass Offload podcast alongside Christina Mahon and Jamie Roberts , Robshaw said: “One I’m not sure with, I’m going to go Alun Wyn Jones at five.

“I’m going to make him captain as well. The way he led Wales in the Six Nations, the games he’s played, the leader he is.”

He adds: “Faletau at six. Big carrier, good in the lineout. I’m going Tom Curry at seven. He is England’s best player at the moment and potentially the first name on England’s team sheet.”

Of the decision to move Faletau from his No. 8 spot, Robshaw explains: “This is where I’m going to bring in Sam Simmonds. On a hard pitch down in South Africa. That’ll suit him.

“Nine I was a little bit unsure but I’m going to go with the Welsh lad Hardy. The game against England he was pretty good. Finn Russell at 10. The player he is and the stuff he can do is pretty special.

“I’m going to go Rees-Zammit on the wing. Dangerous, quick, scores tries.”

Overlooking Stuart Hogg at full-back, Robshaw explains: “I’ve always liked Liam Williams. He’s aggressive, he’s tough, he’s abrasive the way he plays, but most importantly he’s composed under a high ball.”

Robshaw won 66 caps for his country, but never got to experience a Lions tour – missing out on selection in 2013 despite being the England skipper at the time. ROBSHAW’S LIONS XV: Liam Williams; Anthony Watson, Robbie Henshaw, Owen Farrell, Louis Rees-Zammit; Finn Russell, Kieran Hardy; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Taulupe Faletau, Tom Curry, Sam Simmonds.