All Black legend Dan Carter has picked Owen Farrell to start ahead of Johnny Sexton for the Lions when they play New Zealand in the test series this summer.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the Racing Metro fly-half said: "Owen Farrell's been in fantastic form for a year or two and he would be my pick at fly-half. He's worked out a good partnership with George Ford for England.
"Warren Gatland's been pretty open that selection will come down to form and the Six Nations is the perfect platform. But you could question the fact Farrell's been playing 12 for England. That might work against him," he added.
The Lion's celebrate after the 3rd test match in 2013. Iamge: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
The pair dueled for the starting berth during the 2013 series win in Australia with the Irishman getting the nod.
The kicking duties during the successful series were handed to Welsh full-back Leigh Halfpenny and Sexton was able to fully concentrate on game management.
Farrell steered his club Saracens to a successful double last year with the English side winning both the Aviva premiership and the European Champions Cup.
Sexton played a pivotal part as Ireland beat New Zealand in Chicago a couple of months ago.
Ireland entertain England in the final match of the 2017 6 Nations in March and whoever preforms better in that match could go a long way to deciding the starting berth in the summer's test series.
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