The Breakdown | How the 2025 British & Irish Lions may line up in Australia
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Andy Farrell has tricky decisions ahead but expect plenty of Ireland forwards and Scotland backs when the series begins. The Lions are stronger in certain areas than others and much hinges, in every sense, on Ireland’s front row. No one would quibble hugely if an all-Irish triumvirate of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong pack down for the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on 19 July – but what if all three are not fully firing? The talented, athletic Sheehan is just back from a long-term lay off and injury forced Porter to withdraw from the last Lions tour to South Africa prior to the squad’s departure. The admirable Furlong, meanwhile, has already been hammering away on Test rugby’s frontline for a decade. It underlines the importance of strength in depth, with the Australian scrum much improved. Both Scotland props, Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson, will fancy making the plane, as will the Wales hooker Dewi Lake (current injury permitting) and, depending on England’s Six Nations form, either Jamie George or Theo Dan. Ellis Genge and Nicky Smith are probably contesting the last loosehead vacancy with Ireland’s Finlay Bealham, born in Australia, as the third tighthead.
![[Robert Kitson]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2017/10/09/Robert-Kitson,-L.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The 2025 squad will not be stuffed full of returning Lions. It may even be that Furlong and Maro Itoje are the only starting forwards from 2021 to retain their Test places, making the latter’s experience even more important. Again the Six Nations will be instructive but, at this distance, Ireland’s Joe McCarthy and James Ryan are the two main frontrunners to partner Itoje. A decent lineout presence will be essential, with the ex-England lock Geoff Parling now shaping Australia’s strategy in that area, and McCarthy’s impact could be key. The other option involves moving the excellent Tadhg Beirne up from the back-row where Farrell will be keen to start him or opting for Wales’ hard-working Dafydd Jenkins. Either way another mobile and versatile lineout forward will be required with Ireland’s talented Ryan Baird looking to edge out Ollie Chessum, and the evergreen Courtney Lawes.
