Ugo Monye names under-the-radar Scotsman as player who should make British and Irish Lions squad
The British and Irish Lions squad to tour Australia will be named on Thursday, and Andy Farrell may have a few surprises up his sleeve that could mean good news for Scotland fans
Ugo Monye has backed one surprise Scot and an underrated Englishman to make this summer's British and Irish Lions tour. Andy Farrell is set to announce his touring squad for the trip to Australia on Thursday, with fans eagerly debating who should be included in the quadrennial trip.
Around this time in any Lions year, rugby enthusiasts far and wide are on the lookout for insider information on any surprise selections that might make the cut. There are typically at least one or two choices from left field that few anticipated, and this year is bound to be no different.
Ireland head coach Farrell, 49, will have had a good idea of most of his squad for some time now. However, former England winger Monye, who was top try-scorer on the Lions tour of South Africa in 2009, pointed out two dark horse selections whom he believes could make a last-minute dash onto the plane.
“I'll give you two: Tom Jordan from Scotland," he told the Daily Express. "He's brilliant. Really versatile. [He can play] 10, 12, 13, he can play 15. I wouldn't be surprised if he was there."
Former Harlequins winger Monye is correct in suggesting Jordan's adaptability could make him an invaluable asset in Australia. The remote location makes it particularly challenging to fly in injury replacements in a prompt manner, and someone of Jordan's calibre has the potential to fill in several different positions.
The Glasgow Warriors back has made a name for himself over the past couple of years and helped his club secure a United Rugby Championship title in 2024. The 26-year-old also made his Scotland debut last year, but Monye named a much more seasoned player as his other underdog selection.
"I'm not sure I can categorise this person as a bolter, but he's late into the conversation: George Ford," he added. "I think his late form over the last couple of months has been extraordinary. He's the closest thing to a player-coach as you'll find out there right now. Absolutely. We've got two young 10s that could tour. Sam Prendergast and Fin Smith could do with some experience.
"I think that's probably why Johnny Sexton's been brought in to the coaching staff. Finn Russell, we expect to go. But George Ford, I think he's a very, very strong candidate."
The debate within the England camp has largely focused on who among Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, and Paris-based Owen Farrell - the son of head coach Andy - will be selected for the Lions tour. This speculation has somewhat overshadowed Sale's standout, Ford, and some might argue he's currently second only to Northampton's Smith in terms of form within that group.
Oldham-born Ford, 32, has shone brightly for the Sharks following their shaky start this term, propelling them to third in the Premiership and close to securing a play-off spot. And it's exactly that kind of composure across a three-Test series down under that could prove worth his weight in gold.
Farrell - having previously toured with Scotland's Russell - might prefer a familiar face in Australia, while Ford could provide a more stable presence, albeit lacking the same flair. That said, there's a compelling case to be made he has earned his spot on the team, in what is likely to be his final chance to become a Lion.
Bath talisman Russell looks nailed on to be one of the fly-half options in the southern hemisphere after clinching a first-place finish in the Premiership. But he may not be the only Scot vying for a place in that backline, with Huw Jones, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham each in the running.
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