Marcus Smith called into Lions squad as injury cover

England's Marcus Smith (centre) tackled by Canada's Lucas Rumball (left) and Reegan O'Gorman. While Smith was in action at Twickenham Stadium, Warren Gatland announced he was joining the Lions squad in South Africa. Picture: Andrew Matthews

Warren Gatland has called in rookie fly-half Marcus Smith to his British & Irish Lions squad as injury cover for Achilles tendon victim Finn Russell.

In a surprise move, even to the 20-year-old Smith, the Lions head coach dropped the surprise news into a pre-match television interview before Saturday’s tour game against the Cell C Sharks in Pretoria while the fly-half was playing for England against Canada in only his second Test cap at Twickenham on Saturday afternoon.