09-05-2025
British and Irish Lions 2025: England heavy squad a bad sign for Wallabies
Zander Ferguson (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Will Stuart (England), Ellis Genge (England), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) . It's the depth here that should concern Wallabies fans. Furlong and Porter should start, with Genge and Stuart on the bench - or Farrell could even flip that around. Beware, the England pack that played against Australia last November have gone up a few gears since then, especially Genge and Stuart at scrum time.
Verdict: Advantage Lions Second rowers
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Ollie Chessum (England), Scott Cummings (Scotland), Maro Itoje (England, captain), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland) . Itoje has been outstanding for years, and the consensus up north is that captaincy brings out the best in him. The remainder offer a mix of power (McCarthy), lineout prowess (Ryan) and breakdown prowess (Beirne), although it would not be a surprise to see the latter played at No.6 at some point.
Verdict: Advantage Lions
Sione Tuipulotu was unveiled as a Lion. Credit: Getty Images
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland) . This is an area where the Wallabies shouldn't be beaten, given the presence of the Rob Valetini and the injury-enforced absence of Ireland No.8 Caelan Doris. Jack Conan is a capable replacement, but if you were picking holes the Lions look a bit same-same in this department with five natural open sides named. Depending on selection and fitness the Wallabies could even edge them here, although the freakish Pollock could quickly make that assessment look foolish.
Verdict: Advantage Wallabies Halfbacks
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Tomos Williams (Wales) . Mitchell missed England's Tests last November, and the drop-off in England's attacking threat was substantial. He was found out a bit on defence against Ireland in the Six Nations, but his running game is elite, and he could play a big role off the bench. Gibson-Park, one of seven 'Sanzar' Lions, is among the world's best.
Verdict: Advantage Lions
Finn Russell (Scotland), Fin Smith (England), Marcus Smith (England) . Farrell has left the door for his son Owen to join the squad at a later date, but it look like the No.10 jersey will be a shootout between Russell and Fin Smith. The latter was exceptional against Leinster last week and was also the architect of England's win against France in the Six Nations. But Russell could be a big issue for the Wallabies if the Lions pack gets on the front foot.
Verdict: Advantage Lions Midfielders
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Huw Jones (Scotland), Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Elliot Daly (England) . There are a few injury clouds over Tuipulotu, who hasn't played since January, and Jones, so there could yet be a bit of movement in this area. Even if they both are fit enough to make the plane the Wallabies look capable of matching the tourists. Len Ikitau, Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii and Hunter Paisami all have quality, with Suaalii certain to feature prominently in the Lions' defensive conversations.
Verdict: Draw
Tommy Freeman (England), Mack Hansen (Ireland), Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe (Ireland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) . The Wallabies should breathe a sign of relief that England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is injured, although Farrell could yet be leaving a spot open for him. He would add some electricity to the back three, although Lowe, van der Merwe and Freeman are certainly good enough to do some damage on their own.
Verdict: Advantage Lions
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