JAMIE GEORGE can be the secret weapon for the Lions against the All Blacks.
The Saracens hooker has made a record 17 appearances off the bench for England and is still yet to make his full debut.
But 2009 tourist Lee Mears, who played under current boss Warren Gatland, reckons super-sub George can give the Lions bite from the off – having been a frustrated back-up to England skipper Dylan Hartley.
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Bath stalwart Mears said: “Jamie has been brilliant all year and is very intelligent so it could come down to if Warren Gatland needs the leadership of Dylan Hartley or the skill set of George playing at pace as a footballer.
“But Jamie has played so many big games for Sarries and I would love to see him on that tour. You don’t want to take three similar guys though as you need a plan A. B and even C.
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“And Jamie is in the in-form hooker. Hartley hardly played all year at Northampton and then came in for the Six Nations for England.
“But he’s made it, played in all the games and won the championship as captain playing a big part.”
With Red Rose forwards coach Steve Borthwick one of Gatland’s assistants and ex England scrum specialist Graham Rowntree also part of the backroom staff England’s packs have an advantage with home-grown coaches.
The pair both know Hartley well and Borthwick has worked with George since coming in with Eddie Jones at the end of 2015.
One big-name hooker is bound to miss out altogether, though, when Gatland names his Lions squad for New Zealand on April 19.
Ken Owens at Wales had a storming Six Nations and Ireland captain Rory Best was a possibility to skipper the side before the tournament, but not now.
Mears said: “Rory Best has been on a tour before, but he didn’t do that well away from home in the Six Nations.
"And that is what the Lions is all about - operating outside of your country's environment - so there are questions over him. And in Wales Ken Owen has cemented himself, but is perhaps not a Lions starter.
"That said, I would take Jamie George, Dylan Hartley and Rory Best."
Controversial Hartley's Kiwi background is also another factor in his favour when weighed top against his form.
The Northampton Saints bad boy, 31 tomorrow, was born and raised in Roturua on the north island and knows the culture inside out - but he could also be painted as a deserter from the proud Southern Hemisphere nation.
Mears added: "It will be interesting seeing what Gatland's thought process are.
"The one thing about Dylan is that he knows how to handle that pressure.
"People have been after him before and I think he will be fine."
On 8 April Mears’ former club Bath Rugby will face Leicester Tigers at Twickenham for The Clash and he announced that tickets in the Upper Tier at Twickenham Stadium will directly benefit the Club’s National Charity Partner, Help for Heroes, and Bath Rugby Foundation.
The fixture is one of the oldest rivalries in rugby with one point currently separating the two teams in the table, and this year sees Bath become the first non-London based club to host a regular league game at Twickenham.
A portion of profits from each £15 upper tier charity ticket will contribute directly to the hugely vital work that both Help for Heroes and Bath Rugby Foundation do and will be an opportunity to see Lions hopefuls go head to head for their clubs.
Mears, whose heart condition prematurely ended his career in 2013, said: “The proceeds generated at The Clash will be invaluable in supporting these two charities, so we can’t thank Bath enough for their involvement at the forthcoming fixture at Twickenham and look forward to a great spectacle.”
- To book your seat at the home of England Rugby and help rebuild lives, visit bathrugby.com/charity
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