Ugo Monye backs Sam Prendergast to make British & Irish Lions squad as one of five fly-halves he’d select

Ugo Monye has backed Sam Prendergast and George Ford as two of five fly-halves to be selected in the British and Irish Lions squad tomorrow afternoon.

Head coach Andy Farrell is set to name a 37-man touring squad to Australia at the O2 arena, before the tour gets underway against Argentina in Dublin.

Monye, who made two appearances for the Lions in the 2009 tour to South Africa, has backed four specialist fly-halves, alongside Marcus Smith as a back-three player, to make the squad.

He said: “I’d love to know how many times Andy Farrell’s squad has changed over the last few months!”

“But I’d take Fin Smith, Finn Russell, Sam Prendergast and George Ford. I would have Marcus Smith in the squad, but as a back-three player.”

Much has been made of Sam Prendergast’s potential selection after Leinster were dumped out of the Champions Cup by Northampton Saints last weekend.

However, Monye has still backed the 22-year-old’s inclusion in the squad.

George Ford

As for George Ford, the Sale Sharks operator has been in sensational form in the Premiership and despite only featuring sporadically for England during the Six Nations, Monye believes his on-field leadership could be key for the Lions.

“George Ford is the closest thing you’d get to a player-coach on the pitch,” the former England international said.

Jack Willis

Away from fly-half, there is serious contention over back row selection with a multitude of players across the four nations in fine form.

One of those is Toulouse’s Jack Willis, who has been plying his trade in France since Wasps‘ demise in 2022.

Monye believes that despite not featuring at the test level for a number of years, Willis must be a part of Andy Farrell’s plans.

He said: “It comes down to a simple question – is Jack Willis one of the best players in Britain and Ireland? I think yes.”

“There are things that count against him, particularly with the Top 14 schedule, but the things that count for him are his qualities – he is insanely good.

“He’s become a better player by playing at Toulouse.”

“They’re always in big matches, and being able to repeatedly perform well when the expectations are high helps a significant amount.”

Bolters

Bolter is the word on the lips of many when Lions selection comes around, and Monye threw Scotland’s Tom Jordan into the mix as a potential bolter, due to his versatility.

He said: “Tom Jordan is my bolter – he can play 10, 12, 15 and probably do a job on the wing because he’s such a versatile player.”

“I love what he’s about. Versatility is so important, especially when you’re on tour.

“You have that relentless nature where you’re playing twice a week for six weeks, so you’ll need players who can play in a couple of different positions.

“It only helps your chances of being selected.”

Another bolter that Monye highlighted as an outside shot for selection is Sale Sharks winger Tom Roebuck who started, and scored, in England’s record Six Nations win against Wales.

Monye said: “I really, really rate him. He’s a serious operator. He’s strong, quick, he’s unreal in the air, which is a great point of difference.

“I love his temperament, he’s not phased or overawed by anything. If he was picked, I’d be thrilled for him, he’s had a fabulous season.”

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