British Lions: Jonny Wilkinson bid, Stuart Hogg

Stuart Hoggs biggest problem with the tour so far is looking after the British and Irish Lions mascot. Picture: Getty

Wilkinson was crowned European player of the year on Sunday, less than 24 hours after steering Toulon to victory over Clermont Auvergne in the final of the Heineken Cup. The 33-year-old was asked to tour by Gatland before the 37-strong squad was announced on 30 April, but he rejected the opportunity due to his commitments at Toulon and fading fitness.

While Gatland confirmed that Wilkinson remains an option if either Jonathan Sexton or Owen Farrell are injured, he insists the fly-half’s most recent heroics have failed to convince him another approach is necessary “We’ve been through the conversation that we had with Jonny and nothing’s changed on that,” the Kiwi said. “If we picked up an injury on tour then maybe there’s a conversation to be had. Jonny’s a good player, but we’ve had the conversation about him.”

Wilkinson himself has vowed to do everything he can to be fit and ready to answer an injury SOS from the British and Irish Lions if the call was to come this summer. Toulon play Toulouse in the French Top 14 semi-final on Friday, with the final on the same day as the Lions play the Barbarians in Hong Kong. There is the added complication of Wilkinson’s own fitness, with the 33-year-old admitting that the physicality of a long season is beginning to take its toll.

Sexton and Farrell are the only front-line fly-halves on tour but Wilkinson agreed to be  on standby in case of injury. “I appreciate that everyone needs to be together (on the flight) and I certainly can’t guarantee that,” Wilkinson said.

“I’ve been asked if I’ll be an  injury replacement. I’ve said ‘quite happily. Let me get to the end of the season and see if I’m not the one who needs replacing, rather than the one who goes out there’.

“I can’t guarantee the state I’ll be in. The body is getting to the state where I’m trying to stay (at this level). I’m happy to give it all I’ve got. If I can physically front up to being there if there is an injury, then great. If not, then they’re not losing much.”

Sexton, who is chasing his own European and league double with Leinster after winning the Amlin Challenge Cup and reaching the RaboDirect Pro12 final, has said he would relish the opportunity to work with Wilkinson. A Lions tourist to Australia in 2001 and New Zealand in 2005, Wilkinson recognises the value of older heads in the touring party.

He also remembers that 2001 tour, though, when the Lions were beaten 2-1 in the Test series, as “the experience of a lifetime” – and he believes now is the time for Sexton and Farrell to shine.

“There are guys showing the way forward and the Lions is like that,” Wilkinson said. “It’s been said that it will be a step backwards if they take me and as a proud sportsman you always disagree with that because you always believe you can add something. In 2001 there were older guys like Scott Quinnell, Keith Wood, so there is room for everyone. I was 21 years old, along with Brian O’Driscoll and Iain Balshaw, and it was the experience of a lifetime.” Gatland expects Leinster duo O’Driscoll and Sean O’Brien to be on board Monday’s flight to Hong Kong, where the tour opens against the Barbarians on 1 June.

O’Driscoll should play in this weekend’s RaboDirect PRO 12 final against Ulster after making progress in his recovery from the back spasm that ruled him out of Friday’s victory over Stade Francais. O’Brien played in the Amlin Challenge Cup final against the French club only to pick up a knee injury that will sideline him for two weeks.

“Sean has been looked at by the medics and hopefully he’ll spend this week with us,” said Gatland, who was speaking at the Lions’ week-long training camp just outside Dublin. “He has a bit of bone bruising, but it was more positive than first thought. Brian is hoping to be fit to play this weekend. He’s on his feet again.”

Gatland will be an anxious spectator of Leinster’s clash with Ulster and Leicester’s Aviva Premiership final against Northampton, also on Saturday, hoping that further injury is avoided. “We’ve been quite lucky so far. Fingers crossed that after the two finals the boys will turn up on Sunday and fly out on Monday,” he said.

Australia coach Robbie Deans named his preliminary squad for the Test series on Sunday, with the omission of fly-half Quade Cooper the biggest talking point. Six more players will be called up on 11 June and Gatland expects Cooper, who last year described the Wallabies as a “toxic environment”, to be among them. “I presume he’ll be added later on, but I don’t take too much of a look at the politics down there,” he said. “We watch the Super 15 games pretty  closely, assessing the form of the players and how some of the teams have been going.”

Captain Sam Warburton revealed that the characters in the Lions squad had yet to emerge. “Speaking to some of the players, they say it’s been a bit quieter than past tours in terms of characters – the sort of people you look out for on a DVD,” he said. “But it’s been great, a very hard working group, and it’s been very enjoyable.”

Mane man Stuart Hogg has mascot trouble

STUART Hogg’s annual battle with hay fever is being exacerbated by his role as custodian of the British and Irish Lions’ mascot.

Hogg, one of three Scots in the 37-strong squad that will depart for Hong Kong and Australia on Monday, has revealed that the mane of the fluffy toy is irritating his condition. As the youngest member of the party, it is the 20-year-old full-back’s responsibility to look after the mascot on tour, but he may be forced to discuss the role with head coach Warren Gatland.

“The hay fever’s a nightmare. It always comes up at the start of summer – my eyes start to puff up,” he said. “Holding that lion in my hands is bit of a nightmare because of it’s long mane – it gets a little bit itchy. Maybe I’ll speak with the gaffer and see what he says about that.”

Hogg, who will provide fly-half cover for Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell, insists being in charge of the mascot is fraught with danger. “It’s bit of a nightmare but being the youngest it’s bit of a tradition to take it,” he said. “I was speaking to Leigh Halfpenny about it – he did it in 2009 and he said the lion was pretty small. This time it’s massive. When you’re packing your bag for training you pack your shorts and gumshield etc, but I have to bring the lion as well.

“I’m pretty concerned that I’ll forget my boots one day. I’d rather forget the lion, to be fair. It’s a big responsibility because sometimes I struggle to look after myself, so to look after something else is tough. It’s already been hidden. I’ve been tempted to leave it in my room, but there are fines in place and I don’t want to be out of pocket.”