Only four England players make the cut in the BBC's Lions XV
12/29/2024 03:31 AM
With the Autumn Nations Series now wrapped up, attention turns toward the British & Irish Lions, who will tour Australia in 2025.
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Traditionally, the year leading up to a Lions tour sparks speculation about potential selections, and this year is no different.
Using Opta's unique performance index, which objectively scores players based on key metrics, the BBC has compiled a data-driven Lions XV.
The side reflects standout performances throughout the Autumn Nations Series, with seven Scottish players leading the charge. England and Ireland each contribute four players, while Wales miss out entirely after a lacklustre campaign.
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Full Lions XV Based on Data
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
- Jamie George (England)
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
- Maro Itoje (England)
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
- Matt Fagerson (Scotland)
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
- Caelan Doris (Ireland)
- Ben Spencer (England)
- Marcus Smith (England)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Huw Jones (Scotland)
- Darcy Graham (Scotland)
- Tom Jordan (Scotland)
Breaking Down the XV
Front Row (1-3)
Pierre Schoeman showcased incredible work rate with 36 tackles without a single miss, adding significant defensive value.
Jamie George was pinpoint at the lineout, finding his target 97% of the time, while his ball-carrying abilities saw him make 67 metres, second only to Peato Mauvaka among front-rowers.
Zander Fagerson dominated the ruck area with 32.5 hits per 80 minutes and was part of a Scotland scrum that won seven penalties on their feed, tied for the most among props.
Second Row (4-5)
Maro Itoje was a defensive stalwart, leading all players in turnovers (5) while contributing 27.3 attacking rucks per game.
Tadhg Beirne added versatility, excelling in the lineout with 11 takes and ranking top three among Irish players for tackles, turnovers, and rucks.
Back Row (6-8)
Matt Fagerson earned plaudits for his industrious performance, featuring prominently in Scotland's defensive and ruck efforts.
Josh van der Flier, the 2022 World Player of the Year, hit a staggering 101 rucks and made 45 tackles in just 203 minutes of action.
Caelan Doris was Ireland's go-to carrier with 36 runs, adding 43 tackles to round out his all-action displays.
Halfbacks (9-10)
Ben Spencer stood out for England with his dynamic play, topping all British and Irish scrum-halves in line breaks per game (1.3).
Marcus Smith, often at full-back, contributed 53 points and excelled tactically with two 50-22 kicks and seven line break assists.
Centres (12-13)
Bundee Aki was a game-breaker, averaging 2.1 line breaks per 80 minutes, second only to Darcy Graham.
Huw Jones combined creativity and scoring, being the only player to tally multiple tries and assists, alongside leading the way in non-half-back line break assists.
Back Three (11, 14, 15)
Duhan van der Merwe led all players with 22 defenders beaten and edged out teammate Darcy Graham to become Scotland's all-time top try scorer.
Darcy Graham, fresh off an injury layoff, crossed for five tries and averaged the most line breaks (2.1) per game.
Tom Jordan, typically a fly-half, made an impressive debut series at full-back, leading all Lions-eligible players with 104 metres gained per game.
England's Standout Performers
- Maro Itoje: A defensive lynchpin with unmatched ruck and turnover stats.
- Jamie George: His reliability in the set-piece and scoring ability (two tries) underline his importance.
- Ben Spencer: Dynamic at the breakdown, Spencer also showcased a solid kicking game, retaining possession on four occasions.
- Marcus Smith: The most prolific point scorer of the series, Smith's vision and versatility were key assets.
England's contributions to the data-driven XV highlight a mix of consistency and individual brilliance, proving their potential to form the spine of the Lions squad next summer.
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Pundit Arena’s WORST LIONS PLAYERS:
5 – Stuart Hogg
PA: “ 2013 and 2017 went badly for the Scot. The Lions stuck by Hogg for the second Test in 2021 but was shaky under the high-ball and had no chance to shine in attack .”
RUCK: Just doesn’t seem to work out for Hoggy in the Lions with the harder he tries the tougher it gets
VERDICT: Justified
Embed from Getty Images4 – Andy Titterrell
PA: “Choosing to select an enormous 44-man squad, Clive Woodward made several left field selections. None more so than a Sale Sharks hooker with only two caps for England. His technical and physical skills were not good enough for the Lions.”
RUCK: He shouldn’t have been near that squad
VERDICT: Justified
3 – Tom Court
“Whilst not selected for the Test team, the London Irish man must be considered one of the strangest call-ups in Lions history, joining the squad while on holiday with his family in 2013. He made no real impact to the trip but held up the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels.”
2 – Billy Twelvetrees
PA: “Another bizarre call-up on the 2013 tour, the inside centre was brought in due to the glut of injuries sustained in the midfield. Now stranded in the international wilderness, one must assume he was fetched due to the convenience of him playing for England in Argentina.”
RUCK: It may be easy to forget, but Twelvetrees was one of the most exciting talents in Europe when he was called up. He’d impressed for England in his four caps, and looked set for a bright international future. This pick feels more deemed on the use of hindsight.
VERDICT: Bit harsh
1 – Stuart Barnes
“First capped in 1984, he only represented England ten times, frequently criticised for his inability to convert his magnificent form for Bath onto the international stage.
“Ultimately after a torrid tour, losing six of 13 matches played, Barnes served as a perfect microcosm for its inadequate results in 1993, just not good enough.”
RUCK: I wasn’t born
Verdict: Up to you
Can you name the entire British & Irish Lions squad from their tour of New Zealand in 2005?
The British & Irish Lions’ tour of New Zealand in 2005 remains one of the most talked-about campaigns in rugby history.
Despite facing a formidable All Blacks side, the squad was packed with legendary talent representing England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
From unforgettable tries to moments of controversy, this tour had it all—and it's time to see just how much you remember!
Can you recall every player who pulled on the famous red jersey during that iconic tour? Dive into this quiz to test your Lions knowledge and relive a piece of rugby history!
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