I'm happy to stick at No.7 - Underhill

DESPITE the presence of multiple hybrid back-rowers in the Lions’ squad, England international Sam Underhill is happy to remain one of a declining breed - an out-and-out seven.

- By JON NEWCOMBE

The tough-tackling Bath star played a handful of games at blindside early on in his career at the Ospreys and has only ever worn the No.8 jersey once, so the idea of being a six-and-a-half or a flanker that can anchor the scrum is largely alien to him.

“Seven sort of feels like it fits best, it’s my preferred position. Players have certain skillsets and at the moment my skillset suits seven,” he said.

“It’s where I’ve got the most experience, but I am always open to doing what you need to do in order to stay relevant and competitive.”

“We have all seen how the game can change — the law interpretations change and the styles of play change — and as those things change the positional demands tend to move with them. Good coaches and good teams stay ahead of those, and so do good players,

“If they ever ban lineouts I might revisit six or go into the second row, but the way I look at it is, what’s your skillset and what do we need each position to have skillset-wise?”

Underhill’s only foray at No.8 in 2021 was over not long before it started, the 28-year-old being subbed off 20 minutes into a 40-20 Boxing Day derby defeat to Gloucester after failing an HIA.