Townsend: Saracens five will be rejuvenated by Lions selections

LIONS attack coach Gregor Townsend insists the Saracens contingent in the squad for South Africa will be rejuvenated by their spell in the Championship.

Townsend has been down this road before, he played one campaign in the second tier for Northampton in 1995-96 and claims it gave him a new lease of life.

The former Scotland and Lions fly-half was in the stands for Sarries 50-15 win away at Doncaster last month and five of the former European champions' squad are on the plane to South Africa.

Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly, Jamie George and Mako Vunipola are all included with Billy Vunipola the only big gun to miss out.

And Townsend believes a season mixing it with the likes of Ealing and Nottingham will give the quintet a new lease of life.

He said: “I'm a big believer in what Saracens are going through now can be good for the players. I played a season in the Championship with Northampton and it did wonders for the confidence of the players.

“As a backline player to get the ball in my hands was great.

“These are players who have played in huge games for England, for Saracens and the Lions so they know how to perform at the highest level. To get this match fitness and confidence I believe is a good thing.”

Townsend, who toured South Africa as a Lions player in 1997, added: “South Africa have some exceptional players but their game will be based on winning the physicality battle. It's something we can't let them control.”