Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole select their 2025 Lions XV
03/24/2025 06:22 AM
England icons Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs, and Dan Cole reveal their dream Lions squad for the upcoming tour.
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When it comes to Lions pedigree, the For The Love Of Rugby panel knows their stuff. Between them, Watson, Youngs, and Cole boast a wealth of Lions experience, and their combined insight has delivered a balanced, hard-hitting, and electric squad that mixes power with pace.
Here's who made the cut:
Front Row Powerhouses
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Porter's versatility and scrummaging prowess make him a cornerstone in the front row. The Irish prop featured in the 2021 Lions tour and has built a reputation as a dominant force at loosehead.
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
The explosive Leinster hooker is a try-scoring machine and brings dynamism to the set-piece. With his ability to carry and offload, Sheehan is set to follow in the footsteps of iconic Lions hookers.
3. Will Stuart (England)
Stuart's solid scrummaging and growing international experience for England make him an obvious pick at tighthead. He's a rock in the front row who thrives under pressure.
Second Row Brutes
4. Maro Itoje (England) – Captain
A Lions veteran with an unrelenting work rate, Itoje is the heartbeat of this squad. His leadership, physicality, and game intelligence make him the perfect choice to captain the side.
5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Beirne's ability to dominate in the lineout and disrupt opposition breakdowns makes him an invaluable asset. His versatility to shift between lock and back row adds depth to the squad.
WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:
HE 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.
Back Row Balance
6. Tom Curry (England)
Curry's tireless work rate and destructive tackling have been hallmarks of his game. He's a breakdown menace and a defensive rock who thrives in high-pressure situations.
7. Jac Morgan (Wales)
Morgan has risen through the ranks with his relentless aggression and sharp rugby IQ. His breakdown mastery and ball-carrying power make him a perfect fit on the openside.
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
A standout for Ireland in recent seasons, Doris' dynamism, tackling, and carrying ability make him the ideal choice to anchor the back row.
Half-Back Wizardry
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Gibson-Park's tempo, vision, and quick service give him the edge at scrum-half. His ability to spark attacking opportunities makes him a dangerous threat in open play.
10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
The magician at fly-half, Russell's flair, creativity, and pinpoint kicking make him a game-changer. His unpredictability keeps defences guessing and adds an attacking spark.
Electric Backline
11. James Lowe (Ireland)
Lowe's lethal finishing, powerful carries, and defensive awareness make him an easy pick on the wing. He's a proven performer on the big stage.
12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Aki's physicality, defensive solidity, and ability to break the gain line bring balance to the midfield. He's a reliable presence with an eye for a gap.
13. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Tuipulotu's blend of power and skill makes him a nightmare for defenders. His ability to offload and create space is a key weapon in the midfield.
14. Tommy Freeman (England)
Freeman's versatility and finishing ability make him an exciting choice on the wing. His speed and footwork add a dynamic edge to the back three.
15. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Kinghorn's all-around game, booming boot, and attacking prowess make him a reliable presence at fullback. His ability to slot in at fly-half adds tactical flexibility.
Impact from the Bench
16. Jamie George (England) – An experienced Lions hooker who offers reliability and leadership.
17. Ellis Genge (England) – A wrecking ball who thrives in the loose and brings a physical edge.
18. Finlay Bealham (Ireland) – Solid in the scrum and impactful around the park.
19. Ollie Chessum (England) – Versatile, hard-hitting, and ready to make an impact.
20. Ben Earl (England) – Dynamic and explosive with a knack for making game-changing plays.
21. Tomos Williams (Wales) – Quick, intelligent, and able to up the tempo late on.
22. Marcus Smith (England) – A flair-filled playmaker who can unlock defences off the bench.
23. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – A powerhouse winger with a nose for the try line.
2025 British & Irish Lions Squad: Bookies' Predictions for the Tour
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia fast approaching, the bookmakers have released their early odds on who will make the squad.
While a lot can change between now and the final selection, these odds give a strong indication of who the bookies believe will be donning the famous red jersey next summer.
The bolded players in our proposed Lions squad represent the starting XV, according to current odds.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) – 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
- Fin Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Fin Smith (England) – 8/15
- Sam Prendergast (Ireland) – 8/11
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