Tour veteran backs Dallaglio and Hill for Lions

Lawrence Dallaglio is tipped for a return to Auckland.

LONDON - Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill should be picked for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, former Wales captain Ieuan Evans says.

Former England captain Dallaglio retired from test rugby last year, and Hill has only just returned from a serious knee injury.

However, Evans, who toured three times with the Lions between 1989 and 1997, says the pair should be in the 44-man squad.

"Dallaglio and Hill are not gambles," Evans told the BBC on Wednesday. "If they can contribute to the team and it doesn't undermine the squad then I don't see why they shouldn't go."

Lions coach Clive Woodward will name his squad on Monday night NZ time.

The 31-year-old Hill, who had been out of action since suffering a serious knee injury last October, played the first half of a lower-tier game between his club Saracens and Gloucester on Monday.

"I feel fine," Hill said. "The next step for me is waiting to see is there is any reaction after the game, and that is not just a case of in the knee, but my body in general."

Evans's comments echoed those of former Ireland skipper Keith Wood, who said last week that Dallaglio should be in Woodward's squad.

"Lawrence has been consistently the best number eight around," Wood said. "On a long tour you can depend on him and you know what he will bring. That for me is a pointer to selection."

The Lions will play three tests on the June 4-July 9 tour.

- REUTERS