Finn Russell has singled out star wing Louis Rees-Zammit as the danger man that could elevate the British & Irish Lions to a series victory over the Springboks.

Russell and Rees-Zammit have both been included in Warren Gatland’s 37-man squad for the Lions’ eight-match tour of South Africa, which includes a highly anticipated three-Test series against the world champion Springboks.

During his special guest appearance on a RugbyPass podcast, Russell said he is looking forward to playing alongside Rees-Zammit, who had an influential role in Wales’ Six Nations title success earlier this year.

‘Rees-Zammit, I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s like and playing with him. He’s electric on the wing,’ Russell told RugbyPass.

‘I like hitting a few cross-field kicks for the wingers, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with them but also the work he can do off the ball, whether it’s working inside 10, working round to the outside.’

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Russell, who will be competing with Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar for the Lions No 10 jersey, believes rookies like Rees-Zammit – affectionately known as ‘Rees Lightning’ – and the Lions’ South African import, Duhan van der Merwe, will be key to the composite side beating the Boks at home.

‘These things will make a big difference in the midweek games and Test matches. When you have options like Rees-Zammit and Duhan inside and outside who are such threatening runners, South Africa will have to take those threats seriously.’

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