The
British and Irish Lions
The team has been announced but
Owen Farrell
has been left out of the group that will travel to Australia, with former
England
teammate
Maro Itoje
selected as captain.
Farrell has been omitted from a fourth tour after he was not included in a 38-player roster selected by Lions head coach.
Andy Farrell
, her father. Following a campaign marred by injuries, Farrell was overlooked for selection among three fly-halves, alongside Scotland’s
Finn Russell
along with their compatriots Fin and
Marcus Smith
preferred.
Itoje was named captain
following an injury to Ireland's player
Caelan Doris
, while
English young gun Henry Pollock is included
The winger, who earned his first cap for England in March, scored two tries against Wales in Cardiff. Despite being just 20 years old, he has quickly established himself as a standout player.
Live coverage of the British and Irish Lions team reveal
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The British and Irish Lions team for their upcoming tour of Australia has been announced by head coach Andy Farrell.
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Farrell omits his own son Owen Farrell and Ireland's number 10, Sam Prendergast, from an interesting fly-half selection.
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England's Maro Itoje has been named as the Lions captain.
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Complete roster of Lions forwards for the 2025 tour
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Complete roster of backs for the 2025 Lions tour
Schedule for the British and Irish Lions Tour
17:02
,
Luke Baker
With the roster for the inaugural squad now revealed, excitement builds for the 2025 Lions tour Down Under.
Here's the complete match schedule for the tournament.
Could you please provide the complete timetable?
Unless otherwise specified, all games begin at 11 am BST.
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Friday 20 June - Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium) - 8pm BST
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Saturday 28 June - Lions v Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
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Wednesday, July 2nd - Lions versus Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
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Saturday, July 5 - Lions versus NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
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Wednesday, July 9 – Lions versus ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
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Saturday, July 12 - Lions vs Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
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Saturday 19 July - Lions versus Australia, First Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
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Tuesday 22 July - Lions versus Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne ( Marvel Stadium )
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Saturday 26 July - Lions vs Australia, Second Test, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
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Saturday, August 2, Lions vs Australia, Third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
Jac Morgan discovers he's a Lion
16:42
,
Luke Baker
Jac Morgan was among only two Welsh players (in addition to Tomos Williams) selected for the team.
The Ospreys flanker learned about it while airborne above South Africa.
The Northampton Saints revel in their foursome of Lions players.
16:21
,
Luke Baker
The best moments of Lions squad announcement day are seeing how the players selected found out.
Luckily, in the social media age, camera phones are ever present to capture it.
The Northampton Saints quartet of Henry Pollock, Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith all found out together
Tomos Williams: This accomplishment doesn't leave much room for reaching greater heights.
16:02
,
Luke Baker
Tomos Williams, listed among the three halfbacks, addressed the audience via Zoom during the event at the O2.
The man from Wales admitted feeling emotional about being chosen for the Lions team.
“I must confess I couldn’t help but cry,” Williams stated. “Over the past two days, I've been extremely emotionally fragile. Thankful for my parents, my partner Laura, and everybody who supported me.”
“The top of the mountain. You cannot get much higher than this achievement. I’ll get a bit of stick for this, no doubt.”
The attributes that qualify Maro Itoje as the perfect leader for the British and Irish Lions
15:46
,
Luke Baker
Sitting in the pleasant late afternoon sun of Girona, Maro Itoje skillfully dodged the queries he anticipated would be thrown his way. In October, during England’s preparatory training camp for the Autumn Nations Series in Catalonia, thoughts turned towards an upcoming British and Irish Lions campaign.
Lounging comfortably on the terrace amidst luxurious settings, he addressed every query one at a time, demonstrating the thoughtful and meticulous approach characteristic of him as a speaker. Despite being pressed for details regarding his recollections of previous visits and aspirations for leadership, Itoje artfully conveyed much without divulging too much information.
“It’s a dream for every British and Irish player to sport that red jersey,” Itoje confessed, although he didn’t provide further details on the matter.
The Independent
’s best efforts. “The most important thing is performance and I’ve got to make sure I am performing at a level that befits that jersey.”
Check out Harry Latham-Coyle’s complete article on the newly appointed Lions captain.
The attributes that qualify Maro Itoje as the perfect leader for the British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions team list announced
15:31
,
Harry Latham-Coyle at The O2 Arena
We were curious if Andy Farrell’s roster might include anything truly surprising, but this seems like a very strong 38-player lineup, offering few real shocks for the gathered fans. It makes one wonder how the last-minute injury to Caelan Doris will affect things, particularly regarding who will lead as captain and which combinations he'll choose among the forward pack locks and flankers, where there appear to be fewer loose forwards available compared to earlier suggestions.
One can truly empathize with England's hooker, Jamie George, who would have made an outstanding addition to the tour party but unfortunately missed out. Similarly, Ireland's center, Robbie Henshaw, finds himself on the sidelines due to his recent decline in performance. Additionally, Farrell opted to include only one player based in France, Blair Kinghorn, possibly because Marcus Smith’s versatility in covering position 15 proved advantageous when Frenchman Kinghorn was unavailable.
Biggest back omissions
15:23
,
Luke Baker
Therefore, what of those at the rear? The discussion regarding the most notable individuals who did not make the cut starts here.
Owen Farrell
and
Sam Prendergast
However, we've addressed the fly-half decision further down.
Elsewhere, two-time Lion
Robbie Henshaw
suffers due to some mediocre performances from Ireland and Leinster, even though he has versatility. It seems Elliot Daly is favored for the possible '23' position.
Ben White
passed over for the role of scrum-half in favor of Tomos Williams and Alex Mitchell being chosen ahead of Jamison Gibson-Park, while theScotland star was not included
Darcy Graham
missed out on being part of the back three despite his efforts.
Biggest forward omissions
15:17
,
Luke Baker
Let’s go over some of the names that were overlooked, beginning with the forwards.
Former England captain
Jamie George
It was likely the most significant position, with Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ronan Kelleher emerging as top choices at hooker behind expected starting player Dan Sheehan. This situation also opens up the possibility for a new mid-week captain.
Wales’s
Dewi Lake
Also overlooked for the role of hooker, just like his fellow compatriots.
Dafydd Jenkins
at lock and
Taulupe Faletau
in the back row.
Ireland prop
Finlay Bealham
and lock-flanker hybrid
Ryan Baird
were not chosen, and neither was the star player from Toulouse
Jack Willis
, who may have had to miss the first few games of the tour if his club side reached the Top 14 final.
Sadly, it appears
Caelan Doris
His injury kept him out of the competition, as the Ireland captain was not included, while an absurdly talented back row also left players like him sidelined.
Ben Curry
,
Jamie Ritchie
and
Rory Darge
will be remaining at home. Really tough stuff
Ben Earl: The past few weeks have been extremely challenging.
15:04
,
Luke Baker
Several chosen athletes join viaZoom to share their insights. Notably, Mack Hansen strolls along a picturesque Galwegian beach and mentions he had been swimming!
At the same time, England forward Ben Earl shares his thoughts on being chosen. His face lights up with a grin as wide as a Cheshire cat!
It’s been an excruciating few weeks," confesses Earl. "To have everything culminate today is incredible. It’s the finest piece of news I've received throughout my career. I’m absolutely thrilled.
It has been both difficult and drawn out. I feel completely swamped yet incredibly eager to start.
Complete Lions team roster - grouped by position
15:02
,
Luke Baker
Below is the complete team listed out according to their positions.
The team comprises 38 individuals including 15 Irish people, 13 English people, eight Scottish people, and only two from Wales.
Props
Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Ellis Genge (England)
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
Will Stuart (England)
Hookers
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Locks
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland
Ollie Chessum (England)
Scott Cummings (Scotland)
Maro Itoje (England, captain)
Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
James Ryan (Ireland)
Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland)
Tom Curry (England)
Ben Earl (England)
Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Jac Morgan (Wales)
Henry Pollock (England)
Scrum halves
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (England)
Tomos Williams (Wales)
Fly halves
Marcus Smith (England)
Fin Smith (England)
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Centres
Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Huw Jones (Scotland)
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Back three
Elliot Daly (England)
Tommy Freeman (England)
Mack Hansen (Ireland)
Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
James Lowe (Ireland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
No Prendergast, no Farrell – Lions opt for daring choice at number 10
14:51
,
Luke Baker
There's plenty to analyze from that announcement. Let's begin with the fly-half position.
All the pre-selection talk was around whether Owen Farrell, son of head coach Andy, would be included and the answer is no. He’s struggled with injury at Racing 92 this year, having stepped back from England duty.
Sam Prendergast, Ireland’s number 10 starter, won’t be participating either; his absence might be attributed to the fact that he was overshadowed by competing fly-half Finn Smith during Northampton Saints’ victory over Leinster this past weekend.
Smith is among the trio of number tens selected by Andy Farrell, which includes his England teammate Marcus Smith—despite Smith's recent poor performance at Harlequins—and Scotland’s standout player, Finn Russell. Additionally, Blair Kinghorn, who primarily plays as a fullback, could step into the position of ten if required. This selection brings together an intriguing group of fly-halves.
Who is Henry Pollock? The player who earned a single cap and was chosen for the British and Irish Lions.
14:47
,
Luke Baker
Henry Pollock’s recent performance has made him a typical last-minute addition to the Lions squad, securing his spot on the tour despite being an unexpected choice.
The England and Northampton Saints back row is a superstar in the making. Read all about his journey here:
Who is Henry Pollock? The English player with a single international appearance who was chosen for the Lions.
Owen Farrell left out of British and Irish Lions squad as Maro Itoje named captain
14:41
,
Luke Baker
Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell’s ex-England teammate, will lead the touring party as captain after being selected for the British and Irish Lions squad heading to Australia, while Farrell did not make the cut.
Farrell has been omitted from selection for a fourth tour as he was not included in a preliminary squad of 38 players selected by the Lions head coach, who happens to be his father, Andy Farrell.
The player, who is 33 years old, hasn’t participated in international rugby matches since the 2023 World Cup. He took a hiatus from representing England last year prior to signing with Racing 92 in France, which rendered him unavailable for national team duties.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s complete account of the team selection here:
Maro Itoje has been appointed captain as Owen Farrell misses out on selection for the British and Irish Lions squad.
British and Irish Lions players who play as backs
14:39
,
Luke Baker
Here’s the complete list of backs heading out for the tour. Owen Farrell and Sam Prendergast won’t be going, but Marcus Smith will be part of the squad.
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Bundee Aki (Ireland)
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Elliot Daly (England)
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Tommy Freeman (England)
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Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
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Mack Hansen (Ireland)
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Huw Jones (Scotland)
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Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
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Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
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James Lowe (Ireland)
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Alex Mitchell (England)
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Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
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Finn Russell (Scotland)
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Fin Smith (England)
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Marcus Smith (England)
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Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
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Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
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Tomos Williams (Wales)
No Owen Farrell
14:36
,
Luke Baker
As Ieuan Evans moves through the backline, Owen Farrell isn’t present! He doesn’t make the cut.
Directly towards the rear areas
14:36
,
Luke Baker
Here we go with the backs now
Henry Pollock receives the loudest cheer.
14:35
,
Luke Baker
Amazing! There’s plenty to break down here. Primarily, the loudest cheer from the audience in the venue was for Henry Pollock.
Lions forwards named
14:35
,
Luke Baker
Here’s the complete list of forwards. As expected, Caelan Doris is not included due to his injury.
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Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
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Ollie Chessum (England)
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Jack Conan (Ireland)
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Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
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Scott Cummings (Scotland)
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Tom Curry (England)
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Ben Earl (England)
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Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
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Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
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Ellis Genge (England)
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Maro Itoje (England) - LEADER
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Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
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Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
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Jac Morgan (Wales)
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Henry Pollock (England)
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Andrew Porter (Ireland)
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James Ryan (Ireland)
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Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
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Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
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Will Stuart (England)
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Josh van der Flier ( Ireland )
It's time
14:31
,
Luke Baker
Here we go. Ieuan Evans is set to reveal the Lions forwards next, listed alphabetically, with the first one coming up shortly.
Itoje shares when he learned of his captaincy appointment
14:23
,
Luke Baker
After the announcement, Maro Itoje is interviewed onstage. He shares that he learned of his selection on Tuesday when he got a call from an Irish phone number, which he assumed belonged to Farrell since he hadn’t saved his contact details.
The Wigan brogue on the other end of the line when he answered confirmed it!
Itoje seemingly a popular choice if the crowd in the O2 are anything to go by. A “ooooh Maro Itoje” chant rings round the arena
Itoje and Farrell react to captaincy selection
14:19
,
Luke Baker
Quotes from Maro Itoje and Andy Farrell following Itoje’s appointment as captain.
Farrell said:
I'd like to extend my congratulations to Maro for his appointment as the captain of the British and Irish Lions.
This is a significant honor for Maro, his family, and all those who have backed him during his journey from Saracens to England—and onwards to the Lions in both 2017 and 2021.
As someone who has visited twice before, Maro completely grasps what the Lions stand for and the importance of the captain’s role in guiding the team to win the upcoming Test Series this summer.
Itoje said:
“It feels amazing to be named Lions captain.
"I’m deeply honoured, humbled and I will do my best to do the role justice. I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead, it’s going to be a great tour.
I'm aware that the desire among the players is incredibly strong; everybody yearns to become a Lion, and I am eagerly anticipating playing my part.
Maro Itoje appointed as Lions team leader
14:16
,
Luke Baker
Here we have it. Just as anticipated, the English team captain
Maro Itoje has been appointed as the captain for the 2025 British and Irish Lions team.
The competition seemed to be neck-and-neck between Itoje and Ireland’s Caelan Doris until Doris suffered an untimely shoulder injury, which created more opportunities for Itoje.
Richly deserving, as soon as Andy Farrell calls out Itoje’s name, he receives an enthusiastic roar from the audience at the O2.
Captain set to be announced
14:11
,
Luke Baker
First up, we'll discover who will wear the Lions captaincy badge. It’s anticipated to be Maro Itoje.
Andy Farrell says a Lions captain needs to be a beacon for his teammates
Here come Farrell and Evans
14:07
,
Luke Baker
Head coach Andy Farrell and the renowned commentator, as well as chairman of the Lions, Ieuan Evans, have taken their places on the stage.
Farrell mentions he doesn’t feel anxious since all the pressure is now on Evans, who has taken over the responsibility of announcing the names; Farrell believes his part is complete!
Evans goes on to share memories of his own Lions selection journey and amuses the audience when he mentions that his initial tour pick was communicated via telegram, eliciting laughter.
It’s your standard corporate fare and you know what, I don’t mind it.
Squad naming imminent
14:03
,
Luke Baker
Right, live coverage has started on Sky Sports and the Lions YouTube channel. Lee McKenzie and Ugo Monye on hosting duties on the O2 stage. Safe hands.
This is exciting stuff
Who will make up the team?
14:01
,
Luke Baker
Last chance to review the lineup forecasted by our Rugby Reporter, Harry Latham-Coyle.
How accurate (or inaccurate) will his judgment turn out to be...?
British & Irish Lions 2025: Forecasting the Team for an Australian Tour
How does the process for team naming work?
13:56
,
Luke Baker
We think the Lions team captain will be the sole player present at the O2 today, while the remaining players who were under consideration are expected to stay back and observe from their homes.
The team will be listed in alphabetical order divided into two groups, separated by the forwards and backs. The role of announcing the names falls to the Lions chairman and ex-three-time touring player, Ieuan Evans.
This might result in an exceptionally tense wait for the identity of the third scrum-half to be disclosed, as it’s believed that Ben White and Tomos Williams are most likely competing for this position, with one of them expected to be announced last.
How many people from Wales will be chosen?
13:53
,
Luke Baker
Given their poor performance recently, we don't anticipate many Welsh players making it into Andy Farrell’s team.
How many will attend? Three? Four? Or just one? It'll be intriguing to see.
You might argue that there are around five or six genuine Welsh options available, unless Farrell decides to go with an unexpected choice such as Blair Murray in the back three, or perhaps surprises us by selecting either Adam Beard or Will Rowlands in the second row.
Hooker Dewi Lake, forward Nicky Smith, lock Dafydd Jenkins, back-row players Jac Morgan and Taulupe Faletau, along with scrum-half Tomos Williams, are the individuals who stand a real chance. I would consider Morgan nearly certain, followed closely by Williams; Lake also has good prospects. The rest—Smith, Jenkins, and Faletau—are possibilities worth considering.
British and Irish Lions squad announcement
13:52
,
Harry Latham-Coyle at The O2 Arena
A ten-minute heads-up! John Fogarty and Aled Walters, the two genuine personalities within the coaching team, have been tasked with getting the audience riled up. It seems like this group is quite spirited, perhaps even well lubricated. As expected from an Irish scrummaging instructor and a Welsh specialist in power and condition training, their banter entertains without having much substance. Afterward, along with the home side, they exit as we prepare for imminent live broadcasting. Notably, Lions CEO Ben Calveley had earlier shared his thoughts too.
Elliot Daly to be selected?
13:35
,
Luke Baker
Reports are suggesting that Elliot Daly will be included in Andy Farrell’s squad, which will be announced in about 25 minutes’ time.
The multi-talented English player participated in tours in 2017 and 2021, featuring in five Test matches, which gives him extensive experience.
Although he made an impact when on the field for England during the Six Nations, such a move would be considered surprising if it actually happens.
Announcement of the British and Irish Lions team roster
13:29
,
Harry Latham-Coyle at The O2 Arena
Good afternoon from within the Indigo venue at the O2, where the live show is about to begin—an unpromising start as host Ugo Monye’s microphone isn’t functioning. The crowd, undeterred despite paying steep prices for drinks, belts out a tipsy version of "Jerusalem." Although attendees have paid quite a bit for their tickets, they seem determined to make the most of the evening.
The Wallabies are climbing up the ranks...
13:25
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
A year back, concerns loomed about an extremely uneven Lions series due to the Australian team struggling following Eddie Jones' unsuccessful second term. However, under experienced mentor Joe Schmidt—who will remain until mid-next year before transitioning leadership to Les Kiss—the national side has regained its rhythm. The promising November tour offered grounds for hope as they gear up for what promises to be a significant upcoming year.
With a World Cup in the country also firmly on the horizon, let us hope that the Wallabies can provide a real challenge to the touring party come July.
What happened last time?
13:20
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
The 2021 British and Irish Lions tour won’t go down in history as cherished, taking place amidst strict COVID-19 protocols where spectators were absent, leaving both supporters and athletes disappointed. The team’s confinement within South African hotel rooms didn't help matters either. Adding insult to injury was an unpleasant dispute sparked by leaked footage from South Africans' coach Rassie Erasmus, who faced considerable sanctions for lambasting referee Nic Berry. Ultimately, South Africa claimed victory with a scoreline of 2-1 following gruelling Test matches.
British and Irish Lions - roster of recent team leaders
13:10
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Should Maro Itoje be named as the Lions captain today, he would become the first Englishman to hold that position since Martin Johnson back in 2001. Below is a list of the most recent captains for the test side:
2021 & 2013 Alun Wyn Jones (Lion #761, Wales) v South Africa & Australia
In 2017 and 2013, Sam Warburton (Wear Number 800 for Lions, representing Wales) faced off against both New Zealand and Australia.
2017 Peter O'Mahony (Lion No. 832, Ireland) versus New Zealand
2009 Paul O'Connell (Lion No. 738, Ireland) versus South Africa
In 2005, Gareth Thomas (Lion #747, Wales) faced off against New Zealand.
In 2005, Brian O'Driscoll (Lion #697, Ireland) faced off against New Zealand.
In 2005, Michael Owen (Lion #726, Wales) faced off against Argentina.
How Richard Wigglesworth Got an Unexpected Call for British and Irish Lions Coaching Role
12:25
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Given it is barely two years since he concluded his own coaching career - and plenty of England fans were calling for his head early in the Six Nations - the rapid rise of Richard Wigglesworth also merits mention. The England attack coach and former scrum half and Andy Farrell go way back - but his coaching qualities are clear.
How Richard Wigglesworth earned surprise British and Irish Lions coaching call
Collaborative British and Irish Lions coaching team offers intriguing selection hints
11:45
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Certainly, Andy Farrell wasn’t the only one making significant choices yesterday. The British and Irish Lions head coach revealed a cooperative coaching staff several months back, which still provided some fascinating hints regarding player selections.
The collaborative Lions coaching staff provides fascinating tips for team selections.
The five main queries for Andy Farrell before the British and Irish Lions team reveal.
11:00
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
One of the five major questions we have for the British and Irish Lions coach before today's events revolves around the changes at the back. Discover the other four queries below:
The five crucial queries for Farrell before the British and Irish Lions team reveal
Who is Henry Pollock? How did England’s promising youngster surge into consideration for the Lions team?
10:45
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Caelan Doris’s injury brings additional attention to the back-row choices available to Andy Farrell, and there are quite a few options! Among these contenders, Henry Pollock stands out as an exciting new talent who keeps impressing on rugby’s grandest platforms.
Who is Henry Pollock? How did England’s promising youngster surge into consideration for the Lions team?
After undergoing shoulder surgery, Caelan Doris might have to sit out.
10:20
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Andy Farrell faces several significant injury concerns, with one of the most notable being Caelan Doris – who was potentially in line for the captain role. The Irish forward may not make the trip due to undergoing shoulder surgery. While Maro Itoje appears to be the probable choice as team leader regardless, this outcome is indeed disappointing for Doris, considering his exceptional talent.
Caelan Doris scheduled for surgery on his shoulder amid British and Irish Lions injury concern
Maro Itoje on the Lions, leadership, and politics: 'I'll find my way back to No 10 eventually'
10:00
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Maro Itoje is an intriguing individual and remarkably captivating to be around. Last October, I had the opportunity to sit down with the English forward to discuss his thoughts on the Lions, leadership, and even a potential career in politics.
Maro Itoje on politics: 'I'll find my way back to No 10 eventually'
Maro Itoje set to be named as British and Irish Lions captain
09:30
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
While most of the players are in the dark over their selection status, the British and Irish Lions captain is now fully aware of his place. Maro Itoje is set to be unveiled as the 2025 skipper after an outstanding Six Nations as leader of England.
British & Irish Lions 2025: Forecasting the Team for an Australian Tour
08:30
,
Harry Latham-Coyle
Choosing a Lions team is an entirely thankless task, with the number of available players being far greater than what can be accommodated within the limited roster size, inevitably leading to several deserving athletes being left out. Nonetheless, I've attempted to assume the role of Andy Farrell and forecast the potential 38-man squad he might select...
British & Irish Lions 2025: Forecasting the Team for an Australian Tour
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