Three Problem Positions Andy Farrell Must Solve Before the Lions Roar in 2025

04/22/2025 07:01 AM

With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour looming large, Head Coach Andy Farrell has plenty to smile about – a wave of talent, depth in most positions, and a core of battle-hardened stars.

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But beneath the surface, there are still a few problem areas giving selectors sleepless nights. Let's break down the three biggest selection headaches for the red jersey juggernaut.

 Tighthead Troubles: Who packs down for the Lions?

Zander Fagerson's calf injury couldn't have come at a worse time. Glasgow boss Franco Smith offered little hope, stating the Scotland stalwart will be out for the "foreseeable future" – ominous wording for a player once tipped to anchor the Lions scrum.

Tadhg Furlong, normally a shoe-in, hasn't been his dominant self either. Injuries have blighted his campaign, restricting him to just seven appearances in all competitions. He's still got magic in those mitts, but the engine's clearly spluttering.

That leaves Will Stuart flying the flag. The England prop enjoyed an impressive Six Nations, but Farrell would be rolling the dice on depth – especially with no clear backup. Could Kyle Sinckler be the answer?

Exiled in Toulon, Sinckler has had moments of brilliance – slick handling, bursts of power – but question marks linger over his scrummaging and fitness. Omitted from Toulon's European quarter-final, he remains a wildcard.

 Number 8… mate?

On paper, Farrell has back-row options galore. In reality? A proper, world-class No.8 is a rare breed right now.

Caelan Doris leads the charge but brings baggage in the form of past concussion concerns. If he's not available or operating at 100%, Farrell's cupboard starts looking surprisingly bare.

Ben Earl has been England's go-to, but he's a flanker by trade – dynamic, yes, but not quite the bruiser you need at the base in Australia. A Lions XV with Earl at 8 feels… light. Powerful, mobile, but lacking that out-and-out back-row anchor. The drop-off behind Doris is real – and Farrell knows it.

 Centre of confusion

If there’s one area that could give Farrell full-blown selection vertigo, it's the midfield.

Henry Slade and Garry Ringrose? Both had a Six Nations to forget. Sione Tuipulotu, the favourite for the 12 jersey, missed the entire tournament through injury. Robbie Henshaw is constantly on the physio's table. Ollie Lawrence has tragically been ruled out of the tour with an ACL tear. And then there’s Owen Farrell – a name that splits opinion like Moses parting the sea. Deploying him in the midfield might have purists clutching their pearls.

Bundee Aki and Huw Jones are two of the few centres firing on all cylinders, but can they gel as a pair? That remains to be seen. Right now, the Lions' midfield options look more like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces than a ready-made combo.

Final word: Andy Farrell has plenty of stars in his Lions galaxy, but these three positions could easily make or break the tour. Injuries, form dips, and a lack of true specialists might just be the difference between a famous win or another tour of "what could've been."

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Antoine Dupont didn't hesitate when naming his toughest opponent so far

In a recent Q&A, Dupont shared the players he respects most, and the list includes some seriously tough competition. When asked about his toughest opponents, he didn't miss a beat: "There are lots of great players around these days. Beauden Barrett, Faf de Klerk, Owen Farrell to name a few."

Let's dive into why these three legends have earned Dupont's respect and what makes them so hard to beat.

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Beauden Barrett – The All Blacks’ Game-Changer

If anyone can make even Dupont sweat, it's Beauden Barrett. New Zealand's speedster isn't just lightning fast—his rugby IQ is next level. Whether he's running the show at fly-half or sweeping in at full-back, Barrett's ability to read the game and create opportunities is unmatched.

With over 100 international caps and two World Rugby Player of the Year awards, Barrett's legacy is already cemented. His breakneck pace, combined with silky offloads, make him a nightmare to defend. Dupont knows better than anyone how dangerous Barrett can be.

Game-changing ability? Through the roof. Usually found ghosting past defenders before anyone knows he's there.

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