Shane Williams backs Elliot Daly to secure spot with British and Irish Lions

Daly has become a key figure for Eddie Jones' side during this year's Six Nations and scored the match-winning try in Wales last Saturday

Daly has been tipped as one for the future (Getty)

England's Elliot Daly should be handed his British and Irish Lions debut for the tour of New Zealand, according to veteran wing Shane Williams.

Daly, the 24-year-old back, has become a key figure for Eddie Jones' side during the RBS 6 Nations, and scored the match-winning try in Wales last Saturday.

And Williams believes Daly's impressive performances in England's opening game against France - during which he also converted a long-range penalty - and the victory in Cardiff should make him a shoo-in for Warren Gatland's starting line-up this summer.

"There is a lot of time between now and the Lions tour, but you have to go by form and at the current time Daly is playing exceptionally well for England," Williams, Wales' record try scorer who also made four Lions Test appearances, told Press Association Sport.

"Daly is playing with form, confidence and in a very good England side. If I had to pick a back three it would be Stuart Hogg at 15, Liam Williams and Daly on current form.

"We are very blessed in that position, and with time things may change, but at the moment it would be Daly and Liam Williams for me."

Daly scored in the closing minutes at the Principality Stadium as England secured a 21-16 victory over their rivals.

Wales controlled large spells of the match with 22-year-old forward Ross Moriaty leading their charge.


 Elliot Daly crashes over to hand England victory against Wales last weekend 
 (REUTERS)

The Gloucester player, however, was replaced by Taulupe Faletau after just 13 minutes of the second half.

"As a spectator it looked like he was fine," Williams added. "There were no injuries and as the game went on he looked stronger. It was a strange decision.

"It would be very harsh, and Ross can feel hard done by, if he does not get selected in the next game because of his performance against England.

"He was superb, brought aggression to the game and made it difficult for the big runners to get over the gain line.

"He had his best game in a Welsh shirt against great opposition. He is still a young man, and has a lot to learn but he will only get better. If he keeps playing like he did on Saturday then it is going to be very difficult for him not to get selected and rightly so."


 Williams went on three Lions tours during his career 
 (AFP/Getty images)

England's last-gasp victory leaves them on course to complete back-to-back Grand Slams.

But Williams believes Jones' record-breaking side could yet come unstuck on their final match day in Ireland.

"England are playing with confidence and will only get stronger as the tournament goes on," Williams, who was speaking on behalf of IGO Adventures, said.

"They still have got some tough games. The Scotland game is not going to be easy and the final day they have to travel to Dublin. You can never write Ireland off, especially in Dublin, as England have found out in the past.

"They are the favourites to win the Six Nations because of the results so far but the Grand Slam is a big ask and it is not a foregone conclusion."

Shane Williams will be participating in IGO Adventures' NW05 Moroccan Challenge this October.

PA