The British & Irish Lions Squad
Forwards: (21)
- Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
- Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
- Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
- Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
- Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
- Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
- Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
- Maro Itoje (Saracens/England)(capt)
- Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
- Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
- Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
- Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
- Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Backs: (17)
- Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
- Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)
- Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
- Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
- James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
- Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
- Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
- Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
- Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
- Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
Here is Nathan’s piece in full:
[ Lions Tour 2025: Caelan Doris ‘devastated’ to miss out through injuryOpens in new window ]
That’s all from me for this evening, thanks for following, goodbye!
Live reaction from Nathan Johns from Andy Farrell.
On Caelan Doris:
Andy Farrell has said that Caelan Doris is “devastated” to miss out on a place in the British and Irish Lions squad after injury ruled him out of this summer’s tour.
“I have [spoken to him]. You can imagine he’s devastated. He would have definitely been in the mix, he’s such an experienced player and leader.”
“It’s devastating for people like that. “It’s always a constant in every single tour. Sport can be cruel sometimes. Caelan will be back bigger and stronger.”
On Sam Prendergast:
“Sam is competing with Finn and Fin, I think those two guys are able to take the team forward but there’s no doubt that Sam is 100 per cent in our thoughts going forward.”
On Johnny Sexton’s role:
“He’s bringing himself, that’s what he’s bringing. All the stuff that goes with that. His remit his role and responsibility, the bigger picture is kicking side of things.
“Along with Neil Jenkins, who’s been fantastic at that on all the tours he’s been on, it’s not just being about the kicking. We lean on that experience, that knowledge, why wouldn’t we take that?”
Here is Gerry Thornley‘s take:
“As reflects these past four seasons, Ireland has the most numerous playing representation on a British & Irish Lions tour for the first time ever, with 15 players being included in the 38-man squad for his summer’s tour to Australia. This eclipses the 14 Irish players who were named in the original Lions squad for the 2009 tour.
“England provide 13 players, including the captain Maro Itoje, with eight from Scotland and just two from Wales - their lowest total ever and a far cry from the 15 Welsh players named in the initial squad for the last expedition to Australia a dozen years ago, or their tallies of 12 and 10 in the last two original squads.
“Allowing for the ill-timed shoulder injury which has ruled out Caelan Doris, virtually all of Ireland’s frontline candidates have been included, with the exceptions of Sam Prendergast and Robbie Henshaw, who misses out on a third tour. By contrast, the former will assuredly have more opportunities.
“Some members of the media and former players across the water might grumble at their lesser contingent of 13 given England beat Ireland last season at Twickenham and finished above Ireland in this year’s Six Nations.
“However Ireland hold a 3-1 record over England in this four-year Lions cycle as well as winning two titles, including a Grand Slam, and had the standout achievements on summer tours by the four home countries in winning a series in New Zealand and drawing another in South Africa.”
Andrew Porter was one of 12 Leinster players included in the squad:
Andy Farrell said after picking a 38-man squad “there are a couple of slots open for us” in the future and his son Owen would be in that bracket when explaining his squad decisions.
Nathan Johns at the live press conference in London that Andy Farrell said Caelan Doris was “in the mix” to be selected for as Lions captain due to his leadership qualities. He said “sport can be cruel”. An unfortunate situation for Doris.
Hi there, David Gorman here for some post-squad announcement reaction from the Lions. None of the four Irish Times writers predicted Mack Hansen to make the squad and he almost seemed unaware himself when he was rung up on the coverage going for a walk, presumably in the west of Ireland somewhere. Check out his interview.
“I was just heading for a swim. I’m lost for words for the first time in my life I’d say, which is good for Faz to hear. It’s an incredible…I don’t know what to say, honestly.
“This has been sprung on me. Bundee was meant to do it but he’s minding the kids,” he said.
I am going to hand you over to David Gorman shortly who will bring you further reaction from the O2 Arena. He’s much better at counting than I am.
It’s the highest ever Irish representation beating the 14 for the Paul O’Connell captained 2009 Tour.
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named Maro Itoje as captain of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Men’s Tour to Australia, 2025.Itoje will skipper the 38-man squad in his third Tour. For the very first time, The Lions squad was unveiled in front of more than 2,000 fans at indigo at The O2 in London.The squad features 26 first time tourists, while nine players will participate in their second Lions Tour. Tadhg Furlong and Elliot Daly have also been selected for a third Lions Tour.Northampton Saints back row Henry Pollock is the youngest member of the touring party at just 20 years of age.
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell, said: “I want to congratulate Maro on being named captain of The British & Irish Lions.“This is a great honour for Maro, his family and everyone who has supported him throughout his career from Saracens to England - and on to The Lions in 2017 and 2021.“As a two-time tourist, Maro fully understands what The Lions is all about and also the role of the captain in helping the group achieve its goal of winning a Test Series this summer.”
Speaking about the squad, Farrell added: “Since we met as a coaching unit for the very first time six weeks ago we have been discussing more than 75 players of interest.“But the key job is getting that squad balance right as we prepare for a long and demanding tour that finishes with a Three Test Series against the Wallabies.“I am very excited about working with this group and believe they have the capacity to achieve something special and add to the Lions legacy.”England captain Itoje, was the youngest player on the 2017 tour of New Zealand.He has featured in all six of The Lions’ last Test matches and was voted as the Lions’ Player of the Series in South Africa, 2021.
The 2025 Lions Tour Captain Itoje said: “It feels amazing to be named Lions captain. I’m deeply honoured, humbled and I will do my best to do the role justice.“I am very much looking forward to the challenge ahead, it’s going to be a great Tour. I know the appetite amongst the players is extremely high, everyone is hungry to be a Lion and I can’t wait to play my role.”The Lions will face Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin, Ireland on Friday, June 20 before heading down under.The Tour includes fixtures against Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, ANZAC Invitational XV, First Nations & Pasifika XV and three Tests against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies.
The British & Irish Lions Chair and Tour Manager Ieuan Evans, MBE said: “It was my great privilege and thrill to announce the players selected by Andy Farrell and his coaching group for the 2025 Australia Tour.“I wish all the players and our new captain Maro Itoje the very best of luck. These are very special days and I am sure all the players will continue to show the qualities of a Lion for the final few weeks of the season before flying to Australia.“There is no higher honour in our sport than being selected for a Lions tour and this fantastic group will come together to represent the very best of our four Unions and seek to achieve greatness with a series win over the Wallabies.”
Right, 38-man squad. 15 Irish players. Ronan Kelleher, Mack Hansen and James Ryan all make it.
Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Tomos Williams.
Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Zander Fagerson, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje (capt), Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, P Schoemann, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier.
FORWARDS FIRST............here we go.
That’s what you call filler material. This feels interminable.
Farrell talking about the 2013 tour to Australia the last time the Lions were the Wizards in Oz.
Players will be announced alphabetically. Itoje the 46th Lions captain. No we are not naming the squad yet. We have gone back to Nelly the street artist for a reveal. We are now looking at Itoje photographs of him carrying BIL around as the youngest member of a previous Tour.
Unusually for Sky we’re going to take a break and then back with the LIONS SQUAD
Lions’ former captains dinner last night. Itoje announced then. Itoje: “Last night was amazing. It is a brotherhood, a unique club.”
Maro Itoje walks on stage carrying BIL, the Lions’ lion mascot, which on tour will be looked after by the youngest member of the touring party in between games.
Itoje: “I found out on Tuesday. I got a call from an Irish number. I don’t have many Irish people calling me. (I thought it was Leinster: disclaimer I made that bit up).
THE LIONS CAPTAIN IS ENGLAND’S MARO ITOJE
Alun-Wyn Jones is the man who will hand over the captaincy from the last Tour. Here’s hoping we are getting closer to naming his successor.
Sky Sports are wringing every last ounce of schmaltz.
Paul O’Connell: “To captain the Lions that’s the ultimate.” It’s a collage of former captains taking a line each as they explain what it means to be a Lions’ captain.
Lions captain is a beacon, a leader, he cares for people, how he allows others to be a leader; it takes a special person. Look I’m not responsible for this. I’m just keeping you in the same suspense.
What makes the Lions so special? Andy Farrell: “It’s impossible to put into words.” Right let’s get on with naming the squad so. NO....we’re talking about sea of red, the supporters, the bond between players etc.
Ieuan Evans is nervous. And he’s got cue cards.
Street artist Nelly has been commissioned to paint a mural of the squad in East London. Andy Farrell is on stage.
Oh, great we’ve got a bit of “bants” first.
Heeeeeeerrrrrrrreeeee’s Andy.
Five minute warning.
Just listening to the hype train ahead the official squad announcement.
So one last retro snippet.
The first time that Flower of Scotland got an airing at a rugby Test was during the 1974 Lions tour to South Africa when some Scottish supporters belted out th4e anthem. Scot, Billy Steele, encouraged his teammates to join in the singing but it would be 16-years before the song, written by Roy Williamson in 1965, was officially adopted by the Scotland rugby team ahead of a Grand Slam win over England.
It’s like Christmas morning for Lions’ fans.
About 40-minutes to the confirmation of the squad. in the meantime........ a few words from the main man.
A bit of mood music
TALES FROM THE PAST 2
Arguably the toughest Lion of all was Newtownards finest Blair “Paddy” Mayne, a man who has every claim to being the hardest-drinking, free-swinging firebrand in the long history of the Lions. Mayne was an Ireland international secondrow, one-time university heavyweight boxing champion, and an original and decorated member of the SAS during World War 2.
He toured with the Lions in 1938, when his great running gag, the centre Harry McKibbin said, was to burst into his team-mates’ rooms in the middle of the night, knocking the doors off the hinges, and then systematically smash up all furniture, Keith Moon-style. “Until,” McKibbin said, “all the chairs and tables and things were just so much bits of kindling around us in the room while we were still in bed.”
The management despaired of Mayne, who used to run around with the Welsh hooker Bunner Travers. The two of them dressed up as sailors and snuck off to the Durban docks just so they could pick fights with the local longshoremen. When they got to Ellis Park, they found that the stands were being erected by a team of convicts from the local prison who were sleeping in a compound underneath the scaffolding.
Blair and Bunner befriended one of them, and asked him what he had done to merit a prison sentence. “Stealing chickens,” he said. “And I’ve been given a seven-year stretch.” Full of sympathy for their new companion, who they nicknamed “Rooster”, Blair and Bunner returned that night with a pair of bolt cutters and some spare clothes. They sprung Rooster, and set him free. When he was caught the next day, it turned out the jacket he was wearing still had Mayne’s name stitched inside the collar.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2009 Wasps and England centre Riki Flutey became the third New Zealand-born player to tour with the Lions.
Back in 1904, Pat McEvedy and Arthur O’Brien were among five Guy’s Hospital players picked to tour Australia and New Zealand with a British Isles team as it referred to. It was a return to home for the pair who came to England from their native New Zealand.
McEvedy, who was born in Taumutu, went on a second tour of his homeland in 1908 and actually became president of both the Wellington Union and the New Zealand Rugby Union in later life.
O’Brien, who was born in Westport in Ireland, also became a Test player against the country in which he was born.
Flutey, who played against the Lions in 2005 as a replacement for Wellington, was born in Wairarapa and became only the second player at that time to play for and against the British and Irish tourists.
The first player to achieve that feat was Limerick man Tom Reid, who played for Garryowen, Munster and won 13 caps for Ireland. The secondrow cum number eight played for the 1955 Lions, including in two Tests, before emigrating to Canada, where he played for Eastern Canada against the 1959 Lions tourists.
Tales of Yesteryear Part 2
The first British & Irish journalists to travel with the touring Lions, did so to South Africa in 1955, Viv Jenkins of the Sunday Times and Bryn Thomas for the Western Mail. The Lions won the first Test 23-22 against the Springboks before 95,000 people at Ellis Park. Thomas wrote: “From the first whistle to last the match produced an atmosphere of intense excitement with swift moving play of exceptionally high standard. Such a match comes but once in a generation.
As a postscript, Dobson, 35 was tragically killed by Nyasaland in the summer of 1916 by a charging rhinoceros.
Tales of Yesteryear Part 1
Denys Dobson became the first British & Irish player to be sent off while playing for a British Isles touring team as it was called then in a 17-3 victory over Northern Districts on July 6th, 1904.
Referee Harry Dolan awarded the home side a freekick to which Dobson took umbrage and was alleged to have let loose verbally. Dolan sent Dobson from the pitch the touring captain Darkie Bedell-Sivright led his team off the pitch in protest.
They returned to the pitch 20-minutes later. The New South Wales conducted a post game review. The inquiry exonerated Dobson in that “the indecent expression reported by the referee was not used by Mr Dobson,” downgrading the initial report from “indecent language” to using an “improper expression.”
Who would be in your Lions squad?
On the basis it’s a rugby blog, we will deviate briefly to bring you the teams and details of Friday night’s URC clash between Munster and Ulster at Thomond Park. Two strong teams with Peter O’Mahony and Iain Henderson back after their respective injury issues.
Munster v Ulster
Thomond Park, Limerick – KO 19.35
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU, 44th league game)
AR 1: Andrew Cole (IRFU) AR 2: Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)
TMO: Keith David (WRU)
Live on: RTÉ, Premier Sports, SuperSport, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Munster: Thaakir Abrahams; Calvin Nash, Tom Farrell, Alex Nankivell, Diarmuid Kilgallen; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Michael Milne, Niall Scannell, Stephen Archer; Jean Kleyn, Tadhg Beirne (CAPT); Peter O’Mahony, John Hodnett, Gavin Coombes. Replacements: Lee Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Fineen Wycherley, Tom Ahern, Conor Murray, Seán O’Brien, Alex Kendellen
Ulster: Michael Lowry, Rob Baloucoune, Jude Postlethwaite, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson; Iain Henderson (CAPT), Cormac Izuchukwu; Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, James McNabney. Replacements: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, David McCann, Dave Shanahan, Stewart Moore, Werner Kok.
Sexton said: “I am hugely excited to continue the next chapter in my coaching journey with the British and Irish Lions and I would like to thank Andy for this incredible opportunity.
“It promises to be an exciting tour to Australia, and I know from experience the challenges that await us. Playing for the Lions was a huge ambition of mine during my playing career and my memories of those Tours to Australia and New Zealand will stay with me forever. I would like to thank the IRFU and David (Humphreys) for supporting me with this opportunity.”
Goodman said: “When Andy phoned up, I was silent for about 30 seconds, and he even asked if I was still there. I was shocked. . .excited – all the emotions. It was pretty special calling my family back home in New Zealand.
“And it’s been exciting to meet some new faces in John and Richard and there is that continuity, too, with the guys I have worked with over the last period. It is an exciting mix and there will be a different dynamic of a big Tour. The key is making sure everyone is connected and they have great craic off the field too.”
Wigglesworth said: “I am absolutely delighted to be part of the Lions. Proud is probably an understatement to how I am feeling right now. I never got to play with Andy, but he was my coach at Saracens and England so I know his calibre and I am thoroughly looking forward to working with him.
“When I got the call, I was in the back garden with my five-year-old daughter on dad duties and I had to quieten her down whilst I took it.”
More from the assistant coaches
Easterby said: “It’s incredible to be part of the Lions coaching team and this is a very proud day for me and my family. To Tour as a player and now as a coach, knowing the group of players that we have the potential of working with, is something that I can’t wait to get stuck into. A Lions Tour also gives you the opportunity to work with people you haven’t before.”
Fogarty said: “I didn’t believe Andy when he called me. This is a dream come true, and I am so proud and thankful to Andy and everyone at the Lions. “It’s a massive challenge and there is a huge opportunity to do something really special. I can’t wait to get going.”
Farrell will have six assistant coaches including four from the Ireland set-up Andrew Goodman, Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Johnny Sexton along with Scotland’s John Dalziel and England’s Richard Wigglesworth.
Dalziel said: “It’s a huge honour and I am massively thankful for the opportunity. It’s a real pinch yourself moment. Even from our first meeting as coaches you could feel the energy in the room and it is hugely exciting to work with these guys.
“To get the chance to also work with players from other Unions that you see from afar will be a great challenge. And what a start we have to the Tour with the game against Argentina in Dublin – one of the form teams in the world right now. It will be a huge occasion with the Lions’ very first game in Ireland.”
Ireland’s last Lions tour captain was Paul O’Connell who will act as interim head coach of the national team for their two Test tour of Georgia and Portugal during the summer. The Limerick man was captain of the 2009 tour to South Africa under Scotland’s Ian McGeechan. The Lions lost the first two Tests in heartbreaking fashion but despite an injury crisis won the third, losing the series against the Springboks 2-1.
The last Irishman to captain the Lions was Peter O’Mahony who did so in the first Test against New Zealand in 2017 when the tour captain Sam Warburton was named amongst the replacements.
The British & Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour to Australia is set to be announced at 2pm.
Lions chair Ieuan Evans will reveal head coach Andy Farrell’s selection as part of a live event being held at the O2 Arena in London.
Follow along for live updates of the squad announcement, as well as reaction and analysis from our writers.
Top reads
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- Lions squad: All you need to know ahead of the squad announcement
- Andy Farrell faces Owen question as selection debates pile up
- Listen to the latest episode of The Counter Ruck podcast
Hello and welcome to the Irish Times blog for the announcement of the Lions touring party for the series in Australia during the summer. Head coach Andy Farrell will confirm the squad at a live event in London at 2.0pm. John O’Sullivan here and I will keep you up to date on events at the O2 Arena in London. The television coverage starts a 1.30pm. I’d stay tuned here though because there’s a lot of faff involved in the preamble and we are much more entertaining.
On a parochial note, how many Irish players will get the nod? Gordon D’Arcy plumped for 10 Gerry Thornley and Nathan Johns, 13 each. I misread the assignment and thought we had to try and predict how many Farrell would take and opted for 14. IT reminds me to pay more attention in school in the future.
Caelan Doris’s shoulder injury sustained against the Northampton Saints has a four-to-six-month recovery after he underwent surgery. The Leinster and Ireland number eight would have been a shoo-in for the touring party and in all probability at captain. That honour is no likely to go England secondrow Maro Itoje and few would quibble in the absence of the Irishman.
