Pat on the back for absent Smith
Martin Johnson has paid tribute to Tom Smith for his service to the British Lions, describing the Scot as one of greatest props to have donned the famous red jersey.
Former Lions and England skipper Johnson, now retired from rugby, is surprised Smith did not make Sir Clive Woodward's squad for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand. Smith was hoping to bow out of an illustrious career by taking part in the Test series against the All Blacks.
World Cup winner Johnson toured South Africa and Australia with Smith and insists he enjoyed every minute playing alongside him.
Speaking yesterday while promoting children's charity NHC, the former Leicester skipper said: "He has a fantastic record playing for the Lions, I thought he probably would have made it. Tom has to go down as one of the greatest props in Lions history, he was fantastic in the two tours he played in.
"He is a tremendous footballer. Yes, there is an argument for taking him but there is another argument for someone else.
"People have to make these decisions so they will have their reasons for not taking Tom and taking someone else, there always is.
"But you never know, someone could get an injury and he could get a chance."
Johnson, who remains the only player to have captained the Lions on two separate tours, plans to travel to the southern hemisphere to watch the tour and is hopeful they will return to the British Isles victorious.
He added: "Winning in New Zealand is always very difficult, the odds are stacked against you. The All Blacks don't lose many Test series at home so you're making history if you do it. It's a proper historical thing, to go and win a series.
"I'll be fine watching it instead of playing. It's not my team, although I have been on three tours it's a completely new team. It's up to these guys to have a go, I will follow it just like everyone else.
"As a fan and as an observer I really want them to win and do well. I'm not thinking about me, I'm thinking about them and I want them to win."
