5 Latest Lions Hopefuls includes returning England star and one-capped 'bolter'
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We are one week closer to Andy Farrell’s squad announcement, with the past weekend showcasing multiple hot prospects for the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour. The squad announcement will take place at London’s iconic O2 Arena in front of a packed venue of fans, with the countdown to May 8th continuing for the Lions tour hopefuls.
This past weekend brought about the quarter-final stage of the Investec Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup, with the playing fields of both competitions whittled down from eight to four remaining teams. Leinster, Northampton Saints, Bordeaux-Begles and Toulouse occupy the semi-finals of the top flight, whilst Lyon, Bath, Edinburgh and Racing 92 make up the final four of the Challenge Cup.
Amidst the action, multiple British & Irish Lions hopefuls staked their claims for a place upon the Summer trip to Australia with stand-out performances in their respective matches. In this article, we will review the five top candidates from the weekend, and assess their chances of making the cut, when Andy Farrell and his Lions selectors set to finalise their picks in a few short weeks time.
1. Henry Pollock (England and Northampton Saints)
The fiery back-row was at the focus of Saturday’s Champions Cup action, with plenty of pundits and fans alike having their say over Henry Pollock. The 20-year-old could be described as a ‘marmite player’, as you either love his confidence and in-your-face personality, or you’d rather see the young man taken down a peg or two by a seasoned veteran.
Pollock was brilliant this past weekend, as he crossed over for two tries in Northampton’s 51-16 win over Castres Olimpique. The back row showcased his ability to break contact as he wrapped up his brace, as he shrugged off a double tackle attempt on his way to the try-line. What followed Pollock’s tries divided the rugby fan base, as Pollock goaded the Castres defenders with a delayed dot down, and capped off his try with a basketball style celebration.
Whilst Pollock is pretty much nailed on for the upcoming England tour of Argentina and the United States, Andy Farrell could well throw a spanner into Steve Borthwick’s plans with a Lions tour call up. Now, there is an abundance of talent occupying the back-row ranks, yet Pollock has certainly crept onto the radar with his England debut in the final round of the 2025 Six Nations, and having been in tremendous form for Northampton Saints.
However, when you weigh up the fierce competition for places – with the likes of Tom and Ben Curry, Josh van der Flier, Jac Morgan, Jack Willis and Rory Darge to name just a few – all gunning for the plane to Australia, Pollock’s chances of making the tour drastically go down. We are giving Pollock an outsiders hope, with a 15% chance of being called up for the tour, in which he could well get a ‘bolters’ run-out in a mid-week match against a Super Rugby side.
2. Finn Russell (Scotland and Bath)
The Flying Scotsman of Somerset guided his club to the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge Cup this past weekend, as Bath handed their West Country rivals a humbling exit from the European stage. Bath pulled no punches against Gloucester with a 61-26 drubbing, and booked themselves a place in the final four of the secondary competition. Bath are out to complete a rare domestic treble this season, with the Challenge Cup and Premiership title in the sights after their prior Premiership Rugby Cup success.
Russell nailed eight out of 10 conversions in the one-sided win, with his play-making around the park on full display against Bath’s noisy neighbours. Whilst the blue, black and whites had the home-field advantage, Russell has now gone from silencing the Kingsholm Shed, to getting roars of support from the Rec, when he’s battled the Cherry and Whites this season.
On the Lions stage, Russell has emerged as a front-runner to the 10 jersey, with the bookies and pundits aligned in how the Scotsman can lead the attacking line in Australia. The fly half ranks look strong, yet unless the halfback sustains a season-ending injury between now and June, Russell could go ahead and check in for his flight to the land of the Wallabies. With a 90% chance of being on the tour, the conversation turns to what role the Scotland international will play amongst Andy Farrell’s tourists.
There is solid contention for the fly half ranks this Summer, with England’s Fin Smith, Marcus Smith and George Ford all presenting viable candidates. Ireland contribute two young guns in Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley to the fold, as well as the more experienced Ross Byrne. Wales stalwart Gareth Anscombe then enters the mix, with Russell’s fellow countryman Tom Jordan eager to prove himself on the Lions stage, as the versatile Glasgow man can cover both 10 and 12.
3. Andrew Smith (Ireland uncapped and Munster)
Whilst it was the end of the road for Munster’s run in the Champions Cup this past weekend, Andrew Smith certainly made a statement with a stand-out performance for the province. The 24-year-old is yet to make his debut for Ireland, yet his latest effort’s against Bordeaux-Begles have certainly garnered the attention of the international selectors.
Smith crossed over for a brace of tries against Bordeaux, in what was a difficult 47-29 loss for the Irish side to take. The wing was a breath of fresh air amidst a swirling dark sky, as it rained tries at the expense of Munster’s best defensive efforts. Smith signed for Munster from Irish riavls Connacht, ahead of the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship season, and was touted for success from his break-out with the Ireland U20s set-up. ‘
Smith has been unable to gain much traction at Thomond Park this season, with injury issues hindering his momentum as he contends for places in the Munster back-line. However, this latest performance in the Champions Cup could well have turned his season around, and should he not land a place upon the Lions tour, interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby would likely involve the outside back for the Summer fixtures against Portugal and Georgia.
With Scotland powerhouse Duhan van der Merwe reportedly out of contention for the Lions tour, the pecking order for the wings has shifted up a rung. Tommy Freeman and James Lowe look like the first choice Test match starters, with the likes of Darcy Graham, Elliot Daly and Josh Adams all putting their names in the ring for a trip ‘down under’. Smith comes in with a similar outsiders chance to that of Pollock, with the uncapped Irishman allotted a 10-15% chance of going on the Lions Tour, in what would be a reinforcement role amongst the training squad.
4. George Furbank (England and Northampton Saints)
Another England and Northampton Saints man who took a starring role this past weekend, George Furbank has ignited his late push for a place upon the 2025 Lions tour of Australia. The fullback made a triumphant return to the pitch at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, as the Saints marched passed Castres in their one-sided win in the Champions Cup. However, whilst Furbank was initially planned for a second half replacement appearance, the outside back was flung into action far sooner than expected.
Furbank had not played any rugby since December, as he broke his arm in a Champions Cup clash with the Vodacom Bulls of Pretoria. Furbank was flung into the fray after just three minutes this past weekend, as Saints wing George Hendy suffered a dislocated shoulder in a nasty collision that will keep the red-headed flyer out of action for a few weeks. Despite the unplanned introduction, Furbank settled back in to his surroundings and had two try assists under his belt before the half-time whistle.
The England fullback provided an unbelievable offload to assist Tommy Freeman’s opening try, just three minutes after he was subbed onto the pitch. Furbank then stubbed through a neat grubber kick into the Castres’ back-field, which hooker Curtis Langdon chased down for Northampton’s second score. Furbank has clearly not missed a beat in his four months out of action, and even bagged a try of his own as the Saints cruised out of Olimpique’s reach in the second half.
Furbank was then withdrawn from the pitch on the hour mark, with concern that he had re-injured his arm in the action of scoring. However, a positive post-match analysis from Phil Dowson has kept the Lions hopes alive, with Furbank set to compete against Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn, Wales’ Blair Murray and his own teammate Marcus Smith, to occupy one of the two available specialist fullback spots on the squad list.
Currently, we give Furbank a 55% chance of making the tour, with a strong run in to the end of the Premiership and Champions Cup only set to increases his hopes of making the team.
5. Grant Gilchrist (Scotland and Edinburgh)
The 34-year-old Edinburgh lock is a decorated stalwart of his club, and Grant Gilchrist could well be on his way to writing the next chapter of his career this Summer. A Lions tour call-up has always evaded Gilchrist, yet this year has all the makings of a long-awaited run with the immortal touring side as they head down to Australia.
Edinburgh booked their place in the EPCR Challenge Cup semi-finals this past weekend, with an impressive 34-28 win over the Vodacom Bulls. Gilchrist bagged a try early in the second half, as the last remaining South African side was eliminated from either level of the cross-continental competitions.
Gilchrist was a solid operator in the victory over the Pretorian franchise, with his classy commanding of the line-out keeping Edinburgh on the areal front-foot, as well as his never-say-die work rate which has garnered him the adulation of the Hive Stadium faithful following 12 years of service in the Scottish capital. Upon the Test match stage, Gilchrist was a pivotal cog in Gregor Townsend’s engine room, as he held down the five jersey for the duration of the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations.
Whilst Gilchrist is nailed on for Scotland’s Summer tour against the Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa at the very least, the lock could well edge his way onto the Lions tour after a career of tireless unsung work. We hand Gilchrist a 70% chance of making the tour, as he competes against England’s Ollie Chessum and his captain Maro Itoje, Adam Beard and Daffydd Jenkins from Wales, and Ireland’s immense options which include James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne and the versatile lock-back row talent of Ryan Baird.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Shock Switch: Stuart Lancaster's Son Ditches England to Join Six Nations Rivals
- Northampton Saints boss provides George Furbank injury update and explains why Castres 'targeted' Henry Pollock
- Duhan van der Merwe Among Four Major Doubts for Lions Tour in Devastating Blow
- Team of the Week: Champions & Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals
- Ospreys 18 – 20 Lyon: Player Ratings from heated match-up as Lyon reach Challenge Cup semi-finals
WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
- 2 x Return flight tickets from the UK to Australia
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 2nd Test in Melbourne
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 3rd Test in Sydney
- 4 x Night's accommodation in Melbourne with bed & breakfast (24-27 July)
- 7 x Night's accommodation in Sydney with bed & breakfast (28 July-3 Aug)
- 2 x Flight tickets Melbourne to Sydney including airport hotel group transfers
- 2 x Tickets to watch a private function with Lions legends
- Additional events to be announced
The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.
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