Brian O'Driscoll reveals 'standout' Welshman for Lions selection and tips one-cap star as potential bolter

Lions great Brian O'Driscoll has hailed Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams as one of the 'standout' players ahead of the tour of Australia next summer.

Andy Farrell will take over the Lions coaching reigns from Warren Gatland as they take on the Wallabies next year, with few tipping many Welshmen to tour after a tricky 2024.

However, O'Driscoll - who toured four times with the best of British and Irish rugby, captaining them in 2005 - believes the in-form Gloucester half-back is one member of Gatland's squad who will travel down under. And Williams' team-mate at Kingsholm might just be an outside bet, too.

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"I think Tomos Williams, no doubt, is going to be vying for the number nine jersey with (Jamison) Gibson-Park," said TNT Sports pundit O'Driscoll. "They're the two standout nines.

"Alex Mitchell has the potential to come in and disrupt that a little bit but I would say it's those two for me. I've always been a big Tomos Williams fan, right from when he broke on the scene.

"I thought he was going to be the Lions scrum-half in 2021. But for a few injuries, I think he would have gone. Lots of potential, really good player, just reads the game so well.

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"Someone like him feels like he'll go. Max Llewellyn is going well at Gloucester. Jac Morgan too. The thing with these autumn games and Six Nations is there are outliers that exist there.

"A couple of good performances, and some luck with injuries in key positions, and you can find your way in from obscurity. From not being a front-liners with your national team to being in, there'll always be one that people feel maybe is a little lucky to be playing international rugby.

"Then they get their chance, go well and then they're catapulted into a Lions team. Then you've got people asking 'how the hell did that happen?' You've always, as a player, got to feel that capacity. Believe in yourself, take your opportunity. This is the best year to take it."

Former Ireland captain O'Driscoll also offered his thoughts on Wales ahead of their autumn campaign, with Gatland's side currently without a Test victory in 2024.

"They know they're in a difficult spot," added O'Driscoll. "There isn't huge expectation for the next year.

"I think this is a building block phase. In a perfect world, you pick up some results. But a lot of it is about blooding players and bringing through the next generation that will be involved in the World Cup.

"If you have to take a bit of short-term pain in doing that, but also ideally picking off one or two big wins, that's what Gats would be hopeful for. The difficulties they've had have been well publicised.

"But getting gametime experience against the better teams, the more you do that, the more the team generates belief and know-how. They've got a fighting chance being put together by Gats. Patience is key."

Every match of 2024 Autumn Nations Series is exclusively live on TNT Sports and discovery+ Watch The Autumn Nations Rugby Show, free-to-air on Quest every Thursday at 10pm from Oct 31st