‘Sexton is still ahead of improving Russell for Lions’

IRELAND’S Jonny Sexton remains in pole position for the Lions fly-half starting jersey against New Zealand this summer, according to Brian Ashton.

Former England boss Ashton favours Sexton’s experience over fastimproving Scotland star Finn Russell, with Ireland colleague Conor Murray joining him at half-back.

Ashton told TRP: “Russell’s brought a real X-factor to the Scotland team and is a very mischievous player in the manner of his club coach, Gregor Townsend. He’s shown more composure this season and has cut out daft mistakes, but I thought Sexton, below, was outstanding against France considering he hadn’t played Test rugby for a while.

“He didn’t miss a heartbeat and Ireland looked threatening with him at 10. Sexton brings other things in terms of experience and game-management, so I’d probably go with Sexton and Murray as half-backs, with Owen Farrell at 12. “Conor Murray’s in terrific form, although I do like Wales’ Rhys Webb because he’s one of those old-fashioned, pain-in-the-backside scrum-halves I hated playing against.” Ashton also reckons that Scotland’s Stuart Hogg has done enough to nail down the Lions’ No.15 jersey, while he would select maverick Ireland wing Simon Zebo.

He explained: “It’s difficult to look past Hogg at full-back. I know people have voiced concerns that defensively he might not be as good as others, but to beat New Zealand you’re going to have to score three or four tries in a game.

“You need that attacking mindset and Hogg gives you that, while on one wing I’d go for Zebo because he offers all sorts of unpredictability.

“Somewhere you’re going to have to have three players who can do that.

“Jonathan Joseph is another at 13 because New Zealand will probably try to make the game unpredictable and you need people who can counter it.

“Joseph’s another Xfactor player in midfield and, if he’s on song, George North gives you a physical, attacking threat on the other wing, although with the way Scotland have been playing, Tommy Seymour looks a quality player.”