Our experts pick their Lions Test squad: Who makes the team after Argentina defeat?

Andy Farrell demanded an improvement from his British and Irish Lions when they arrive in Australia after they slipped to a 28-24 defeat by Argentina in Dublin.
The Lions lost their opening tour match for the first time since 1971 after their second-half fightback was overturned when Santiago Cordero finished the match-winning try in the 59th minute.
Now the Lions head Down Under before facing the Western Force next Saturday and Farrell is seeking an immediate response to the error-strewn display seen at a sold-out Aviva Stadium.
Based on what we saw on Friday night, we have asked our team of rugby experts who they would pick in their Lions starting XVs, and who they would have on the bench...
Ellis Genge appears to have squeezed ahead of Andrew Porter in the battle to be the starting loosehead, courtesy of his destructive display against Argentina's scrum. Fin Smith was too sporadic as an influence to displace Finn Russell as the go-to 10, while his namesake Marcus was too exposed at full-back to usurp Blair Kinghorn, surely the Test 15 once he returns from his Top 14 duties with Toulouse. The early replacement of Jac Morgan did little to resolve the ferocious back-row competition, but Josh van der Flier is well placed to be unleashed against the Wallabies as arguably the Lions' most effective out-and-out openside.
Ellis Genge powers through as the Lions take the lead ‼️🦁 pic.twitter.com/YofKEVKxb7
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) June 20, 2025
I am placing my faith in the dextrous hands of the Scottish playmakers. If Finn Russell is your starting fly half – and he is mine – then it makes sense to surround him with as many familiar weapons as possible from the perfectly balanced midfield partnership of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones to the extra playmaking ability of Blair Kinghorn. At this point it feels the back row is the area where most spots are up for grabs but Ollie Chessum's lineout ability certainly feels like a big calling card. Ellis Genge was the other big winner from the Argentina game and for the time being has leapt ahead of Andrew Porter.
One game down and already some players will be wondering if they have harmed their chances of making the Test side after the defeat by Argentina. It is early days and the Leinster and Bath contingent will come into the side to face Western Force, but what Friday night seemed to confirm is that the Lions need another ball-player in the backline, and Garry Ringrose will have a key role in bolstering the defence in the 13 channel and beyond. Ellis Genge was the big winner in Dublin, and on current form edges the loosehead berth. The 10 jersey is going to be a tussle between Fin and Finn (Smith and Russell), but I sense that Smith will emerge as Andy Farrell's play-maker.
'Tentative' was the word Andy Farrell used after the Argentina loss and he was right. So this selection brings a bit more oomph to the Lions; a proper strike-running back division with astute half-backs. Up front, the two English props are the front-runners but behind them, bar captain Maro Itoje, spots are up for grabs. The Lions lacked a bit of ballast and brutishness against Los Pumas and Joe McCarthy and Ollie Chessum bring that in spades. Tom Curry was busy in Dublin but Jack Conan is at No 8 to bring yet more robustness in the ball carry.
It is difficult to consider the Test matches without having seen the whole squad in action, but I like the balance of this 23. Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne are interchangeable, really. The former might just be handy if the Wallabies unleash Will Skelton. Ollie Chessum slipping to the back row should reinforce the line-out and I would need to rely on Garry Ringrose covering wing – and maybe Tommy Freeman being able to move to full-back – in case of an injury in the back three. With that in mind, Marcus Smith's versatility could see him edge ahead of Fin Smith.

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