Jonathan Sexton is crucial to the Lions' prospects in Australia say Dewi Morris and Ieuan Evans

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton is currently the most important player to the British & Irish Lions' prospects of beating Australia in their Test series, according to former Lions Dewi Morris and Ieuan Evans.

Physical

Evans, who toured alongside Morris in the 1993 Lions, agreed Sexton - currently top fly-half in the Sky Sports Lions Index - is potentially a key player for the tourists and is concerned about the lack of competition at No10. The former Wales winger is also anxious to see Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris prove his fitness before the series against the Wallabies. "I would say Sexton as well. Warren Gatland likes his outsides halves to play on the gainline and I like his mix of the game, his stewardship," Evans said. "He is chippy as well and has that edge to play. He is physical in defence, has a big boot on him and I think that at the moment he is head and shoulders ahead of everybody else and that is too big a distance between him and the next cab on the rank. I would worry about that. "We need someone else to come through this Six Nations and actually put there marker down. "As regards the pack, I think there are a lot of runners and riders out there. It is very competitive out there. I think that one guy who strikes me as someone we would need out there if he is fit is another Irishman, Stephen Ferris. "But he literally needs to be wrapped in cotton wool. That is his problem; he is injure far too often. But he brings so much to bear. I think he could be such an influence on that tour if he is fit so he is another one for me."