Smith backs Murray for Lions role

Smith played six Tests in Lions colours

Retiring prop Tom Smith has backed Northampton team-mate Euan Murray for a major role on this summer's British and Irish Lions trip to South Africa.

Smith, who will quit the game after the European Challenge Cup final against Bourgoin later this month, toured twice with the Lions in 1997 and 2001.

And he told BBC Radio Northampton: "Euan's had a really good season.

"(The Lions) is a different environment and you need a bit of luck, but I'd back him for the number three shirt."

He continued: "Players won't experience the same dynamic anywhere else. For a start, there are so many supporters on a Lions tour - some of the games are like home matches!

"But it's an opportunity that only comes along every four years and it is very special."

Ian McGeechan's 37-man squad kicks off the tour against a Royal XV in Rustenberg on 30 May, the first of six warm-up games before the first Test in Durban on 20 June.

Smith, meanwhile, criticised Sir Clive Woodward, who was in charge of the last Lions expedition to New Zealand in 2005, when the All Blacks triumphed in all three Tests.

"To be honest I don't think he really understood what the Lions is all about," Smith added.

"You have to give players a chance to make it into the Test side. On that trip were there about 50 players and some were battling just to get on the field."