BUDGE Pountney hailed the remarkable record of Lions leader Alan Manning and then backed his skipper to lead from the front.

Bournemouth prop Manning will skipper Lions in their new era under Pountney after retaining the first-team captaincy following a summer of change.

Manning’s influence at Chapel Gate in recent years is underlined by the fact that he has featured in 92 consecutive league matches for the Dorset club.

The front-row hard man will play his 93rd game in a row in Lions’ National Two South season opener against Taunton on home territory today (2.30pm).

And former Scotland and Northampton star Pountney, who succeeded David Dunn as Lions’ director of rugby in June, has been quick to spot Manning’s qualities.

Pountney told the Daily Echo: “Alan is just a tough, uncompromising forward who doesn’t worry too much about pain.

“His positional strength in the scrummage is great and he is also great around the pitch for a tight-head prop. You can’t ask for much more.

“He leads from the front and doesn’t ask anybody to do anything that he couldn’t do himself. That is key for a skipper. He leads by example.

“He trains so hard and doesn’t give an inch. Mentally, he is a tough character so he is really key for us.”