Billy’s sweeping statement

The British and Irish Lions would have whitewashed the All Blacks if Eddie Jones was in charge of the touring side.

That’s the view of England No 8 Billy Vunipola, who didn’t even make it to New Zealand for the drawn series in winter, after a shoulder injury forced him to withdraw from the squad.

Vunipola’s claim comes a day after Lions and Irish flanker Sean O’Brien said New Zealand-born Lions coach Warren Gatland cost the tourists the series after overtraining the side in the lead-up to the first and third tests.

‘‘I wasn’t there on tour but I guess if he [O’Brien] is saying it and the authority he said it with, he’s probably right,’’ Vunipola, who was replaced by James Haskell in the squad, told the BBC.

‘‘For me to sit here and say the Lions would have probably won is wrong. But personally, my opinion is that if Eddie Jones went as coach they would have won 3-0. He is that good.’’

Australian Jones was quick to rule himself out as the Lions’ potential coach when speculation around an appointment mounted last year.

‘‘I don’t know how he would have done it [beaten the All Blacks 3-0], but Eddie would have found a way,’’ Vunipola said.

Meanwhile, British and Irish Lions chief executive John Feehan has defended Gatland and Lions attack coach Rob Howley, who was also criticised by O’Brien.

Feehan maintains the Lions had the best possible coaching group, which was proven by what they achieved in New Zealand.

‘‘To draw a series with the All Blacks, who had not lost a test match at home for eight years, was a remarkable result, and Warren and the coaches deserve huge credit for that,’’ he said.