There is no greater battle for a British & Irish Lions starting place than the one George North faces on the wing, that’s according to former Lion Jason Robinson.

The Northampton Saints star played a leading role in the successful 2013 tour of Australia, scoring a try in each of the two victorious matches as he helped lead the Lions to a first series win since 1997.

But the 25-year-old is far from guaranteed the 11 or 14 jersey when the first Test comes around on June 24, with head coach Warren Gatland holding a plethora of options and combinations at his disposal.

Robinson is someone who knows just what it means to tour, travelling in 2001 and also to New Zealand four years later, with a World Cup victory with England a notable high between the two.

And the former winger and full-back believes North’s influence in tour matches could be pivotal, potentially the difference between whether or not he has a place in the team.

“The wing is probably one of the best opportunities for players to stake their claim for a shirt,” said Land Rover ambassador Robinson.

“When you look at the players in that position, I don’t think any one player has been unbelievably good this season.

“George has had a lot of injury problems and concussions earlier in the season, but come on strongly at the back end of campaign.

“But when you look at the other wingers – the Liam Williams’, Anthony Watson’s, and Tommy Seymour’s – I think everyone has an equal opportunity.

“I really think the places on the wings for the Test team are open at the moment, and what happens between the first game next week and the first Test will be the key to nailing the spot.

“No-one has nailed the spot 100 per cent yet and that makes it interesting, because those players now all have the chance to earn it, with none of them really killing it over six months on the wings.

“Every opportunity they get now, those players will want to prove they should be the one starting, and it’s not going to be easy.”

Land Rover ambassador Jason Robinson was speaking at this season’s Premiership Rugby Final where he met hundreds of youngsters from the national grassroots rugby initiative, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

Land Rover is committed to championing grassroots rugby and is continuing its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign through programmes like the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.

The Premiership season was to also end on a happy note for Northampton Saints, coming from behind to beat Stade Francais and reach next season’s European Champions Cup – rugby’s premier domestic competition.

Saints finished bottom of their pool with just two wins last season, though 42-year-old Robinson knows just how pivotal it is to keep facing Europe’s elite.

“Saints didn’t start the season off particularly well, but they came back and guys like Louis Picamoles had a massive influence on that team,” added Robinson, who made 159 appearances for Sale Sharks having converted from rugby league.

“They’ve somehow managed to get themselves into the Champions Cup; they’ve done it the hard way but fair play to them, it’s better late than never.

"A very narrow win over Stade was enough and they are there now which is of huge importance to the club.”

Jason Robinson is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover is Official Vehicle Partner of Premiership Rugby and has a heritage in supporting rugby at all levels; from grassroots to elite. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal