Elliot Daly claims he has persuaded Stuart Hogg to support England at the Euros

Stuart Hogg during a British and Irish Lions training session at St Peter's College in Johannesburg. Picture: David Rogers/AFP via Getty Images

Elliot Daly claims he has persuaded Stuart Hogg to support England at the Euros but the Saracens back admits he still has a bit of work to do on Finn Russell.

The football has provided a welcome distraction for the Lions who have been confined to their team hotel in Johannesburg due to Covid restrictions.

Daly, who will make his first start of the South Africa tour against the Sharks on Wednesday, hopes to be able to catch some of England’s semi-final against Denmark which is due to kick-off shortly after the rugby finishes.

The centre was impressed by Gareth Southgate’s side’s quarter-final win over Ukraine but his claim that the Lions players are all backing England has yet to be corroborated.

Elliot Daly claims all the Lions players are backing England at the Euros. Picture: David Rogers

“We all sat down and watched the second half after the game on the weekend,” said Daly.

“I think everyone was supporting England, to be fair – which was good. Some of the Scottish lads were sitting on the fence – Finn Russell was sitting on the fence – but I think we persuaded Hoggy to be an Englishman for a bit.

“It’s all going well, hopefully we get another win and have our first final for a while.”

Warren Gatland, the Lions coach, is hoping England’s success will rub off on the Lions and has sent good luck wishes to Southgate.

“It’s fantastic that they’ve got a semi-final, and from our point of view it will be great if they get to the final and win it,” said Gatland. “Just because it is a different sport doesn’t mean we don’t follow them and support them. So, to Gareth and the team, we just wish them all the best.”

Gatland thought Daly made an “outstanding” impact from the bench in the win over the Sigma Lions on Saturday and believes outside centre is the versatile England back’s most dangerous position.

“We know he can cover the wing and full-back, but as he gets a little bit older and gets more experienced I think that (centre) is definitely a position for him for the future,” said the Lions coach.

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