Three England legends pick their British & Irish Lions XV

Today at 10:07 AM

With six months until the British & Irish Lions squad announcement, the rugby world is buzzing with speculation.

The I asked former England internationals David Flatman, Ben Kay, and Chris Ashton to pick their starting XV for next summer's tour of Australia. Here's who made the cut:

Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Front Row:
Flatman opts for an all-Irish trio. "Andrew Porter's engine is unbelievable," he explains. "He's got size, power, and aggression, but he runs like he's got three lungs." Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan complete the front row, with a wildcard option being England's 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour. "A genuine one and three option," Flatman notes.

Second Row:
Kay highlights Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy but adds, "Itoje has to play well to get in. He's been good, but not back to his very best." Tadhg Beirne also remains in the mix, depending on back-row combinations.

Back Row:
Ireland's Caelan Doris is a unanimous pick at No. 8 and a captaincy contender. The flankers sparked debate, but Sam Underhill edged it for his defensive dominance. "Who'd you rather run into? I'd rather run into a taxi than Sam Underhill," says Flatman.

Half-Backs:
Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell are favored. Ashton, however, praises Alex Mitchell: "He sees opportunities others don't. England have really missed him."

Centres and Back Three:
Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu at 12 and Huw Jones at 13 narrowly beat Bundee Aki and Ollie Lawrence. The back three features Hugo Keenan, Darcy Graham, and Duhan van der Merwe.

With strong Irish and Scottish representation, Flatman concludes: "It's an embarrassment of riches – Andy Farrell will have a headache, but it's the good kind."

Full Lions XV:

1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Joe McCarthy, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Caelan Doris (c), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 10. Finn Russell, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 13. Huw Jones, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 15. Hugo Keenan.

How the British & Irish Lions XV would look right now, zero Welshmen included

As the Autumn Nations Series unfolds, we assess how the British & Irish Lions would line up based on current form, with key players from England, Ireland, and Scotland leading the charge as they prepare for the upcoming challenge in Australia.

Fullback

Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Keenan's consistency under the high ball and his sharp counter-attacking ability make him the perfect fit for the British & Irish Lions’ fullback spot. After his excellent performances this autumn, it's hard to look beyond the Irishman for a starting role in the upcoming Lions tour to Australia.

Right Wing

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)
Despite being relatively new on the scene, Feyi-Waboso has made waves this autumn with his pace and attacking flair. His try-scoring instincts make him an exciting prospect for the Lions as they look for a cutting edge on the wing.

Centre

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Ringrose is in excellent form this autumn, showing off his vision, defensive solidity, and dynamic attacking capabilities. He's a perfect fit for the Lions' centre spot, offering leadership and experience in the midfield.

Inside Centre

Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Tuipulotu's robust ball-carrying and defensive prowess make him the ideal partner for Ringrose in the centres. His ability to break the gainline and make those powerful runs could be the key to unlocking opposition defences on tour.

Left Wing

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Van der Merwe has shown his usual strength and finishing ability during the autumn internationals. His power and ability to shrug off tackles could prove crucial for the Lions as they look to dominate in Australia.

Fly-Half

Marcus Smith (England)
Smith has been a standout for England, showcasing his playmaking flair and ability to control the game from fly-half. He brings the attacking vision the Lions need in Australia, with an added sense of unpredictability.

Scrum-Half

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
The Irish scrum-half has been in electric form, displaying speed, accuracy, and intelligence. His quick service and sharp decision-making make him the ideal candidate to guide the Lions’ attack in the Southern Hemisphere.

Loosehead Prop

Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Porter has been a dominant force in the scrum, and his all-around work ethic makes him one of the best looseheads in the northern hemisphere. Expect him to anchor the Lions’ front row with power and precision.

Hooker

Jamie George (England)
George continues to impress with his lineout accuracy and leadership. His work at the breakdown and his ability to control the pace of the game make him an indispensable figure in the Lions’ pack. Plus, his experience on previous tours to New Zealand and South Africa will be invaluable.

Tighthead Prop

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
One of the best in the world, Furlong's scrummaging and carrying ability make him the cornerstone of the Lions’ forward pack. His technical skill is unrivalled, and his form this autumn has only reaffirmed his place as a starter.

Lock

Maro Itoje (England)
Itoje's dynamic work at the lineout and his physicality in open play make him a must-pick for the Lions. His presence in the engine room would give the Lions a physical and mental edge in Australia.

Lock

Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
McCarthy has shown tremendous potential this autumn, displaying both physicality and technical accuracy. His combination of strength and mobility gives the Lions a second-row option who can excel at the set-piece and in open play.

Blindside Flanker

Chandler Cunningham-South (England)
Cunningham-South has impressed with his work rate, ball carrying, and defensive capabilities. His versatile skill set makes him a standout player in the back row and an ideal choice for the Lions’ blindside.

Openside Flanker

Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Van der Flier has been everywhere this autumn, showing his tireless work rate and tackling ability. A strong performer at the breakdown, he would be vital for the Lions to slow down Australia's ball and disrupt their attack.

Number Eight

Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Doris has been in exceptional form, blending power with finesse in attack and defence. His ability to carry the ball and link play would make him an ideal choice as the Lions’ number eight on tour.

QUIZ: Can You Name The Top 10 Springboks Of All-time?

The post Three England legends pick their British & Irish Lions XV appeared first on Ruck.