A number of English players current outside of Eddie Jones' thinking have been contacted by Lions head coach Warren Gatland.
That's according to a report in the Telegraph, who say four players that were not involved in the recent Six Nations campaign have been sounded out by Gatland, who will reveal his 36-man squad on Thursday.
The most striking is Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith, the 22-year-old mercurial playmaker who has been in scintillating form for his club side this season.
Smith has been involved in a handful of camps but never been capped by his country. His selection would make him the first uncapped player to tour with the Lions since Will Greenwood in 1997.
It would, however, represent a huge shock with Dan Biggar, Johnny Sexton, Owen Farrell and Finn Russell all available as fly-half options.
Another player earmarked by the Telegraph is Danny Care. The 84-cap scrum-half last featured for his country in 2018 but has been in impressive form alongside Smith at Quins, who have scored more points than any other Premiership club so far this season.
With No.9 the most up-for-grabs jersey in the Lions' squad, Bath scrum-half Ben Spencer is also said to have received a message from Gatland.
No scrum-half grabbed the Six Nations by the scruff of the neck, which could lead to Gatland looking outside current international setups to find his man.
Finally, and perhaps least surprising of all, is the news that Exeter No.8 Sam Simmonds is on Gatland's long-list. The popular back-rower's repeated omission from England's squad has sparked outrage among fans and pundits.
But it seems Gatland is considering him alongside Wales international Taulupe Faletau, who is sure to be nailed on as the first-choice pick at No.8.
