Gavin Hastings, the former British & Irish Lions captain, is confident that Jonny Wilkinson will yet be convinced to pull on a red shirt for this summer's tour to Australia.
Wilkinson, the World Cup-winning former England fly-half, has been in impressive form with European champions Toulon this season, but declined an initial approach from Warren Gatland, the Lions head coach, to join the touring party, citing club commitments and concerns about straining his weary body.
Yet Wilkinson remains on standby should he be required and with just two No.10s in the 37-man squad –Ireland's Jonathan Sexton and England's Owen Farrell – Hastings anticipates the 33-year-old will be a late arrival in Australia in time for the first Test in Brisbane on June 22.
"I think it's likely," said the former Scotland captain, speaking at an event in which Unibet launched its Summer of Sport advertising campaign which features Hastings, Ian Botham and Goran Ivanisevic. "If Sexton and Farrell can do well and they play well and they're able to keep fit, perhaps the prospect of Jonny coming out will recede. The shorter the time that Jonny has in Australia, the better the chances are for the Lions.
"I'm not convinced his body will want to be training every single day. The way he is, so intense and thorough in his preparation, he doesn't need to play in any provincial matches. What matters is the Lions winning two out of three Tests. If ever there was an occasion made for Jonny, it would be coming out the week before the first Test and having a role to play."
Now European player of the year, Wilkinson's memorable World Cup-winning drop goal came in Sydney almost 10 years ago and Hastings is also quite aware what it is like to savour success Down Under. The 1993 Lions captain – who was key in the 1989 series win in Australia – also swatted away the perception that the Lions is now an outdated concept, particularly as winning a Test series has proven elusive for 16 years, the last coming in South Africa in 1997.
"It would be a massive thing to give up," said Hastings. "If the players recognise the significance of being a Lion, then in many respects they will drive the agenda and make sure the Lions continue.
"As long as the Lions are very, very competitive and the Test series goes down to the wire, I think we will see the Lions continuing for the foreseeable future."
Gavin Hastings is an official Unibet ambassador. Visit Unibet's new website at www.unibet.co.uk for the latest offers and free bets on this summer's biggest sporting events.
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