Lawrence Dallaglio today challenged the Lions to make rugby history.
Warren Gatland’s squad begin their 10-match tour against the Barbarians in Hong Kong on Saturday before moving to Australia for a three-Test series.
The Lions have only won two of their last nine series with Dallaglio part of the last triumphant squad, in South Africa in 1997. The former England captain is now calling on Gatland’s men to grab the opportunity.
He said: “The history of the Lions shows how tough it is to win and there are a lot of very good players who have toured and not been part of a winning series.
“It is one thing being picked for the Lions, it is another to be part of a Test-series winning squad. You want to etch your name in the history books as being part of a squad that won a Test series.”
There has been considerable debate over the squad with men such as England captain Chris Robshaw and World Cup-winner Jonny Wilkinson left out.
However, Dallaglio is confident the Lions selectors have chosen the right players.
“This is the best squad they could have picked,” he said. “It represents the best of what we have in British and Irish rugby.”
Although the Baa-baas were rolled over 40-12 by a young England side at Twickenham on Sunday, Dallaglio expects them to put in a better showing. And he warns the weather will be a factor with the Hong Kong Observatory predicting temperatures of 33°C.
He said: “Both squads are in good shape and I don’t imagine they will really struggle in the match but it’s true they are not used to the humidity that will be a factor at kick off here in Hong Kong. They will take a lot more water on board during the game and it will be hard work because it will be very warm.
“Any team captained by Sergio Parisse will front up against the Lions and they will want to do themselves justice. This is being billed as a warm-up game but this is the first match of the Lions tour and for those players who are wearing the red jersey, it is a chance to put down a marker.”
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Lawrence Dallaglio was speaking on behalf of Land Rover which is launching the all-new Range Rover Sport in Hong Kong. For more details visit newrangeroversport.com
