Bath’s Ben Spencer might be one of the most consistently overlooked players in English rugby — and Jeremy Guscott has had enough of it.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
Writing in his latest Rugby Paper column, the Lions legend expressed his disbelief at the continued omission of the 31-year-old scrum-half from Steve Borthwick's England squads.
Despite being one of the Premiership's most reliable No.9s, Spencer has remained firmly out in the cold, and Guscott believes it's a baffling blind spot.
"I would definitely pick Ben Spencer," Guscott wrote. "He is a world class scrum-half, but has inexplicably not been picked by England."
“He has to tour” – Guscott demands Feyi-Waboso Lions call-up (if fit)
The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia is inching closer — and Guscott has put forward a name he believes mustbe included, fitness permitting.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the explosive Exeter Chiefs wing, burst onto the international scene in 2024 and was even nominated for World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year. The 22-year-old's raw power and finishing ability turned heads everywhere.
However, since January, Feyi-Waboso has been sidelined with a string of frustrating injuries, leaving his Lions hopes hanging by a thread. Guscott, though, is adamant: if he's available, he should be on the plane.
"If Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is fit, he is a match-winning wing who cannot be ignored," he insisted.
Guscott’s final word: Give the outsiders a shot
With the Lions selectors set for a brutal few months of choices, Guscott also urged them to look beyond the usual suspects.
"I would also like to see some players on the outer fringes of Lions selection given a chance to tour," he wrote — adding weight to his Spencer and Feyi-Waboso endorsements.
The message is clear: forget reputation, pick on form — and don’t sleep on England’s hidden gems.
Dan Biggar names bold Lions XV – with big England omissions
The 112-cap fly-half, who steered Wales through some of their finest Six Nations and World Cup moments, appeared on Jim Hamilton's podcast this week and revealed his Lions dream team. Spoiler alert: there’s no room for the likes of Owen Farrell, Johnny Sexton, or even himself.
Here's how Biggar's team shaped up…
Front-row firepower: Porter, Sheehan & Furlong
1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
It's an all-Irish affair in the front row, with Biggar backing Leinster’s dominant trio to boss the scrum. Furlong remains the Rolls-Royce of tightheads, while Sheehan and Porter provide dynamism in the loose.
Big boys in the boiler room: Itoje & Beirne
4. Maro Itoje
5. Tadhg Beirne
England's Maro Itoje gets the nod despite some inconsistent recent form, with Biggar clearly still valuing his disruptive brilliance. He's paired with the ever-reliable Beirne – a turnover machine and Lions Test starter in 2021.
Breakdown beasts: Curry, Van Der Flier & Doris (c)
6. Tom Curry
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris (captain)
This back row is pure chaos – in the best possible way. England's Tom Curry returns to the fray, Ireland's Van der Flier adds World Player of the Year pedigree, and Doris, who's fast becoming a modern-day great, takes the armband. A fearless choice.
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