Jim Telfer is backing Scotland's Ross Ford to take the vacant Lions hooker berth after Ireland's Jerry Flannery became the fifth player to be ruled out of the tour to South Africa.

Ian McGeechan is expected to name the replacements on Friday with Food in contention for Flannery's position alongside Ireland's Rory Best and England's Dylan Hartley.

And former Lions coach Telfer believes that, despite a poor patch in the Six Nations, 25-year-old Ford is now back to his best and the obvious choice to go to South Africa.

He said: "Some of the problems with Scotland's lineout in the Six Nations was not to do with Ross, but the lifters or jumpers and if they have watched Ross recently for Edinburgh then I think they'll take him, because like Mike he has shown his form again.

"South Africa are skilful and when you play in South Africa you have to have forwards who are not afraid to be in open play with the ball in their hands.

"Ross has far more rugby ability than any of the three picked first by the Lions, never mind Best.

"He carries the ball well in open spaces; he's quick and strong, and can break the best defences."