Former British & Irish Lion John Bentley is optimistic the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Richard Hill can make a positive impact in New Zealand despite having had huge chunks of their season cut short by injury.
England winger Bentley was a central figure in the Lions’ triumphant 1997 tour of South Africa and reckons the players who have had lengthy lay-offs could even be at an advantage over the other players in the squad.
"As long as they have the ability and facility to prove their fitness before they go away on tour then it might even work out to their advantage," former union and league international Bentley said.
"The likes of Wilkinson and Hill can play a bit of rugby towards the end of the season and determine their fitness, and in some ways that will give them an edge both mentally and physically because they will have had a break."
