SAM Simmonds' ‘big engine and speed' should ensure he takes a front seat when the Lions roll into action in South Africa.
Former England and Lions star Lawrence Dallaglio is convinced the Exeter Chiefs forward is tailor made to thrive on the dry, flat and hard pitches.
Eddie Jones may have ignored the seven-cap 26-year-old's talent since 2018, but Dallaglio insists Gatland's made the right call.
Three-times Lions tourist Dallaglio told TRP: “Simmonds is the current European player of the year who plays for the English and European champions. He has every single accolade there is in the club game.
“He is the in-form No.8 in European rugby right now despite not playing in the Six Nations. It's not a complete surprise Gats has picked him. Eddie Jones feels he is surplus to requirements but Warren has looked at the playing conditions in South Africa with the flat hard tracks. You need people with big engines, speed and lots of energy. Sam is definitely very quick with good feet.
“He is certainly not as big as some of the No.8s but you don't need to be if you are quick with good foot work. I am delighted for him. Having played No.8 I've not just felt he should be in the England team but also the Lions. Fortunately, Gats has agreed.”
Dallaglio says Gatland has got the balance right and agrees with his decision to omit big names for on or off field reasons.
He added: “It's a great squad. Gats only finalised his coaching staff over the last few weeks which would have had an impact on selection. There would have been consideration about form, style of rugby the Lions want to play, and the quality of the opposition. Also the nature of the tour which will be totally different from the past.
“Players will only see the inside of hotels and stadia so they need to create the right environment when they're together.
“He has not picked players who might be 50-50 in terms of injuries. Ireland's Garry Ringrose, Johnny Sexton and James Ryan have all had big injury issues coming into the last few weeks. Same reason with Manu Tuilagi and Sam Underhill.
“Billy Vunipola is desperately out of form. He picked him on the last tour but he has not produced any decent performances since the World Cup.
“Warren has mainly picked players who are playing now, in form and have the right balance of power and skill you need to take on South Africa in their own back yard.
“I didn't expect so many debutants, 19 out of 37, and Elliot Daly can count himself lucky. He is one of the players picked on credit in the bank. Maybe Jamie George will feel he has some credit in the bank too.”
■ By GARY FITZGERALD