Rugby Union: Rowntree explains Stevens pick

2May 2013

British and Irish Lions coach Graham Rowntree has backed prop Matt Stevens to make a major impact on the upcoming tour of Australia.

Saracens front-rower Stevens was named in the 37-man squad on Tuesday, despite having called time on his England career last year. With the Lions 4/6 with bet365 to win the three-Test series Down Under, Rowntree believes that Stevens has the all-round game needed to be a success against the Wallabies. "It's crucial that we have good set-piece specialists who are good in the loose as well," Rowntree said. "That's a big ask for a modern day prop. Matt's been scrummaging well for his club, settled at tighthead, but he has a high work-rate and we need guys that are able to carry and, more importantly, defend. "We don't want Will Genia and Quade Cooper running at people and those guys not being able to make tackles."