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Tadgh Beirne (Munster Rugby): Was pretty much nailed on as a starting lock with Itoje and if not, a shoe in at 6. Played at 6 for the Lions in the warm up games in 2021 but has been a lineout master for Ireland and no doubt a key part of Faz’s set piece.
Tadgh Beirne (Munster Rugby): Was pretty much nailed on as a starting lock with Itoje and if not, a shoe in at 6. Played at 6 for the Lions in the warm up games in 2021 but has been a lineout master for Ireland and no doubt a key part of Faz’s set piece.
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers): Muscle and work ethic!!! So pleased for Chess who has shown he really does have that dawg in him both sides of the ball. Had time away with injury and came back looking better than ever for Leicester. Can cover the row and 6 so a very good bench option for the tests.
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby): To be honest, I think Conan is very under appreciated and probably just over shadowed by Doris at Leinster and Ireland. Was a starting Test 8 for the Lions and will no doubt be a focal point and ball carrier for this tour.
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks): Talking about dawg. Mr low chopping tackler himself. LCD put himself not only back in the England frame but was a starter in the Six Nations and no doubt will be pushing for at least the 16 shirt in the tests.
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors): Missed the Six Nations and a fair chunk of time in the URC but there is no doubt, Cummings adds a lot of value to the engine room. An absolute tackle machine and solid set piece operator. I’m sure he will be turning heads in the warm up games.
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks): Not much else to say about Tom other than, when he is fit, he is no doubt one of the best flankers in the world. Put’s his head where others wouldn’t dream of and doesn’t back down from anyone ever. Surely a nailed on starter.
Ben Earl (Saracens): Consistently one of England and Saracen’s best forwards week after the week and no doubt will bring all his whooping and holla’ing on the pitch down under. Looking like a back up 8 option along with an openside, very sure we’ll be talking about him during and after.
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors): Was a concern due to carrying an injury in the Champions Cup back in April, a bit of a short area for the Lions, Zander has proven he can pack down with the best and hold his own. Will want to still see him get some game time
Tadgh Furlong (Leinster Rugby): Only 8 matches this season and under 400 minutes across those, Andy Farrell clearly holds Furlong in high regard and as he should. A proven test player at the highest standard both set piece and around the park. Bets on a Furlong 50-22?
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears): Was surely never in doubt, when your backs against the wall and you look across a huddle, not many more men would you rather have your back than the baby rhino. Australia’s scrum hasn’t been the best in the last few years but no doubt Gengey will be up for the battle come Summer.
Maro Itoje (C) (Saracens): What else is there to say about this man. Club Captain, Country Captain, and now British and Irish Lions Captain. Played EVERY minute for England this season and you will have to drag him off that pitch in Australia. No better man to lead.
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby): Not going to lie, bit of a shock call for me. George, Lake and a few of the Scottish lads have all put their hands up, but Faz knows Kelleher and turned to him when his main man wasn’t available. In Faz we trust.
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby): Big Faz picks BIG JOE!!!! Another one that can be just as lethal at 6 as he can at lock. Will not back down from running it straight down the throat of the Wallabies but between him, Beirne and Itoje, just a few pens will be given away no doubt.
Jac Morgan (Ospreys): MR WALES! If there was anyone who deserved to be in the team despite his countries results, it was the top tackler, top rucker, and just absolute work horse than is Jac Morgan. If he goes well in the warm up games, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Welshman become a Test Lion.
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints): THE ONE TO WATCH! One England A cap, 2 U20 caps, and a SINGLE England Cap, but Henry Pollock is going on a British and Irish Lions Tour. And you can’t say he doesn’t deserve it. The pressure will be on and the biggest target is already on his front net alone his back, but I am 100% backing him to step up and thrive.
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby): The only surprise with Porter recently was not starting for Leinster last week. I think Porter was unanimously in every squad online and for sure will be fighting for a test start throughout the tour.
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby): Not necessarily out of favour, but definitely not the nailed on starter he used to be in either Blue of Leinster or the Green of Ireland. Farrell knows exactly what he gets from James Ryan and that on a tour will go a long way.
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby): Schoeman has shown he can scrum against anyone and will do what he needs to around the pitch too. Not only in the tests, but will also help sharpen the set piece in training too.
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby): Yh, I mean, a very much nailed on starter by most if not all at hooker and especially his performances this season even after an injury. An incredible athlete out in the channels and darts as good as anyone at the Ally Pally.
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby): If you said at the beginning of the season, Will Stuart would be in for a Lion Test start, me and many would’ve laughed, but what an incredible season Stuart has had for both Bath and England.
Josh Van der Flier (Leinster Rugby): After the weekend’s loss against Saints, and a less than perfect Six Nations, JVDF has been victim of his own success with how good we’ve seen him play in the past. No doubt, still a class act and expect to see him be a machine on the pitch down under.