After breaking an ankle against Cardiff playing for Glasgow in September 2022, Darge used his rehabilitation to bulk up physically.
That extra power has taken his game to new heights and, after his starring role in Scotland’s victory over Italy, Darge is firmly in the conversation for a coveted back-row berth for the Lions.
“He’s an athlete, that guy,” said former Wales and Lions captain Warburton.
“He got injured and it probably could be a bit of a blessing because it’s just given him an extra few kilograms of body weight.
“It doesn’t sound much but in contact that helps you dominate massively at an international level.
“Darge has bulked up that little bit and he looks like a Lions player.”
Lions head coach Andy Farrell is hardly short on quality back-row options and Darge will need some more big performances in this Six Nations to advance his case, starting against Ireland on Sunday.
“There’s a bucket load of competition there,” said Brown.
“You’ve got Wales’ Jack Morgan, you’ve got obviously the Currie brothers for England, Ireland’s Josh van der Flier.
“Darge is so good, at six or seven. He is good at set-piece. He is just a beast.
“I think he’s someone that you put into a Lions environment, then you’ll actually just see how good he is because every single time he’s been asked to go and step up to a new challenge, he’s done it.
“He would be in my Lions squad.”
