Nik Simon

3 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Nik Simon

1.30pm, Thursday, May 8th was a time that had been marked in most rugby players’ calendars for months. Reminders had been sent to tune into the TV, perch nervously on the edge of the sofa and watch Andy Farrell name his Lions squad live on air. In that career defining moment, as every contender held their breath, Will Stuart was pottering around in his back garden, cutting up panels of wood. Pencil behind his ear, measuring tape at the ready, his biggest focus was on how to avoid splinters.

3 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Nik Simon

It was in the town of Oadby where Geoff Parling first struck up his love affair with Leicester Tigers. The year was 2009 and Parling, who was a fresh-faced lock for Newcastle at the time, had been invited down by the club's then director of rugby Richard Cockerill. The conversation between player and coach was as simple as this.

4 weeks ago | dailymail.co.uk | Chris Foy |Dan Biggar |Nik Simon |Alex Bywater

The Lions selection battle has only just begun. After Andy Farrell named a squad of 38 (or should that be 40?) to tour Australia this summer on Thursday, the next step is picking a starting team. The three-Test series against the Wallabies begins on July 19 in Brisbane, so who should start at Lang Park and lead the Lions to glory Down Under? Australia have won only one series against the Lions in the last 95 years, coming out on top 2-1 in 2001.

1 month ago | msn.com | Nik Simon

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1 month ago | dailymail.co.uk | Nik Simon

Henry Pollock, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith have been named in Andy Farrell’s squad for this summer’s Lions tour of Australia. The young English contingent are some of the biggest calls in the 38-man party, which does not include Owen Farrell, Jamie George or Sam Prendergast. However, Farrell later left the door open for his son to make the squad by revealing that two spots had been held for players who can prove their form and fitness over the coming weeks.