I don’t think anyone saw Bundee Aki gate-crashing the Lions squad especially as we thought that if everyone had been fit and ready at centre then Manu Tuilagi’s ramrod-straight confrontational running would have made him one of the first backs on Warren Gatland’s list.
Tuilagi has yet to play for Sale after his Achilles injury, and is likely to be short of game time by the time the squad preparation begins – although Gatland has made it clear Manu will be called if he is up and running and his Lions midfield is depleted by injury.
Aki can play 12 or 13, and is a direct runner and hard-hit...