The British and Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour of Australia has been revealed.
Coach Andy Farrell named a 38-player squad at the O2 Arena in London, with Maro Itoje crowned Lions captain for 2025.
The biggest ovation was for the English rookie Henry Pollock, who was the revelation of the tour, given that he only made his Test debut for England in March, but there were other striking players included.
The complete team of 38 men is as follows:
- British & Irish Lions Calendar for the Tour of Australia
The moment Maro Itoje was named Lions captain
British and Irish Lions squad announcement: How it happened
PILAR
Ellis Genge, England
BIO: Genge is a powerful, loose-headed prop known for his aggressive ball carrying. He made his England debut in 2016 and has won 50 international caps.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Will Stuart, England
BIO: Stuart was one of England’s standout players in the Six Nations, meaning he was always a strong contender to be picked by Farrell.
At club level, he has been crucial for a Bath team chasing Premiership and European silverware this season, and will bring experience, with 50 international caps already, although this will be his first Lions tour.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Andrew Porter, Ireland
BIO: Porter has a high chance of entering Farrell’s starting XV, as he has served Ireland well in recent years. However, it will be between him and Genge for the number 1 jersey.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
Tadhg Furlong, Ireland
BIO: There’s no doubting Furlong’s class, although a recurring calf injury has hampered his season ahead of the Lions tour. He is one of the few surviving names from the 2017 squad, this being his third tour.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2017, 2021
Pierre Schoeman, Scotland
BIO: One of three Scottish forwards, Schoeman made his international debut in 2021 and has won 40 international caps since then. A reliable pillar, he will be looking to challenge Genge and Porter for the number 1 jersey. Farrell has spoken about the competition for places in the squad, and the prop will be one of the most contested.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Zander Fagerson, Scotland
BIO: Fagerson has been a mainstay for Scotland since his debut in 2016. He is another returning member from the 2021 South Africa tour, although he did not make any appearances in any of the three Tests.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
HOOKERS
Dan Sheehan, Ireland
BIO: Sheehan had a strong Six Nations and has scored tries in club rugby this season. He brings physical presence at hooker and will compete with Luke Cown-Dickie for a starting spot.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Ronan Kelleher, Ireland
BIO: Kelleher was a late addition to the 2021 squad after having been part of the pre-tour training camp in Jersey as informal cover, and will make another appearance this time. Like his compatriots, his relationship with Farrell as part of the Ireland setup will be a feather in his cap.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
Luke Cowan-Dickie, England
BIO: Cowan-Dickie will bring valuable experience to the front row, having won 49 international matches and having been part of two World Cup squads. He also toured with the Lions to South Africa in 2021, so he knows the trials and tribulations that come with a long trip.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
REAR ROWS AND LOCKS
Maro Itoje, England
BIO: Itoje will be only the second Englishman to captain the Lions in the professional era, following Martin Johnson, who led the tourists in 1997 and 2001. His experience as an international captain has been impressive so far, leading England in the Six Nations earlier this year.He was between Itoje and Ireland’s Caelan Doris to be selected as captain, but the latter’s shoulder surgery left that decision without a doubt.
Itoje is already a two-time Lion, having played against the All Blacks in 2017 and South Africa in 2021.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2017, 2021
Tadhg Beirne, Ireland
BIO: Beirne has a lot of credit in the bank for being so consistent in recent years. He will face a battle with Ollie Chessum over whether he will start, but he was never in doubt for selection for this tour. He participated in all three Tests on his first Lions tour in 2021.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
Ben Earl, England
BIO: A powerful number 8 who can also play center, Earl will embark on his first tour with the Lions like many in this team, although he has been a regular starter for England for five years.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Tom Curry, England
BIO: Curry was arguably England’s most influential player in the Six Nations and looks set to add to the three Test starts he earned in South Africa in 2021. His versatility to play on both sides of the scrum will also aid Farrell.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
Jac Morgan, Wales
BIO: Wales captain Morgan was one of the bright spots in a historically poor team during the Six Nations, especially with an energetic performance against England. Farrell has many options for this part of the package, and Morgan only adds to that. This is his debut tour.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Ollie Chessum, England
BIO: At 24, this is Chessum’s debut Lions tour, and he could still earn a starting spot if he impresses in the tour matches in Australia. He enjoyed an excellent Six Nations with England and is renowned for his presence in the lineout. However, he is one of several starting options.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Jack Conan, Ireland
BIO: Ireland’s number 8 will return for another Lions tour after being a standout player in 2021. Farrell has long been an admirer of his work rate and ball carrying, and he will have the opportunity to test those skills against the Wallabies this summer.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
Josh van der Flier, Ireland
BIO: Van Der Flier has been so consistent for Ireland in the number 7 jersey and it’s no surprise he’s made the tour. The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, Van Der Flier has won 73 international caps for Ireland and has been impressive in most of them.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
James Ryan, Ireland
BIO: Another versatile player who is well known to Farrell, Ryan brings a huge physical presence to the pack. He has been a mainstay in Farrell’s Ireland team during their recent successes and could be in line to start alongside Maro Itoje in the second row.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Scott Cummings, Scotland
BIO: First called up to the Scotland squad in 2017, Cummings has had to be patient throughout his international career. He made his debut in a 2019 World Cup warm-up match and has won 42 caps. Despite missing the Six Nations through injury, he finally receives his Lions call-up this year.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Henry Pollock, England
BIO: At just 20 years old, he is the youngest and least experienced member of this Lions tour. Incredibly, he only has half a cap of international rugby for England to his name: a great performance in the second half against a Welsh team already defeated in the Six Nations.However, the highly-rated talent put in a huge performance for Northampton Saints against Leinster in what he later described as the “toughest game of my life”.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Joe McCarthy, Ireland
BIO: At 24 years old, McCarthy is one of the youngest forwards, but he has made a big impact since he came on the scene in 2022. He has 19 international caps and has already played in a World Cup and won two Six Nations titles, including the Grand Slam in 2023.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
SCRUM MEDIA
Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland
BIO: He is the most prominent scrum-half in the group and seems a sure bet to start against Australia. He has been a fantastic servant to Farrell with Ireland in recent years, earning a place in the 2024 World Rugby Dream Team. He was also named Player of the Match twice in this year’s Six Nations.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Alex Mitchell, England
BIO: Mitchell has aided his case for a starting position by helping Northampton Saints reach the Champions Cup final. With 23 England caps, he has the game to add dynamism to this Lions squad, although it will be a tough ask to surpass Gibson-Park.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Tomos Williams, Wales
BIO: Williams is one of the two Welsh players selected by Farrell. He impressed in the Six Nations in difficult circumstances given the team’s 17-match losing streak. He is an outside option to get a Test start, but his aim will be to put in an excellent display in the warm-up matches.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
FLY-HALVES
Finn Russell, Scotland
BIO: Russell has the magic to create something special for the Lions this summer, although he is not a sure starter as one might expect. He didn’t set the world on fire during the Six Nations, although he doesn’t have any major contenders for his place.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2017, 2021
Fin Smith, England
BIO: A pup among the Lions squad, Smith made a name for himself during the Six Nations in which he made his England debut, notably leading England to victories over Scotland and France. It was a great achievement for the 22-year-old and earned him a place in Farrell’s squad.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Marcus Smith, England
BIO: Smith was used at both fly-half and fullback during the Six Nations, although he impressed more in the latter. It remains to be seen where he might be used on the tour, but perhaps it was that versatility and dynamism that made Farrell choose him. This will be his second tour with the Lions.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
CENTERS
Bundee Aki, Ireland
BIO: Aki has been as much a part of Ireland’s success under Farrell as anyone, a factor that put him in good stead ahead of the tour of Australia. He started the final Test in 2021 against South Africa and will be hoping to add to that total Down Under.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
Huw Jones, Scotland
BIO: Jones stepped in for the absent Sione Tuipulotu for Scotland during the Six Nations and marshaled the midfield well. He is a strong contender to start this summer. This is his debut Lions tour.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Garry Ringrose, Ireland
BIO: Ringrose scored tries against England and Italy in this year’s Six Nations and has been a regular starter for Farrell’s Ireland in recent years. He will be hoping to impress Down Under and win the team battle in the center.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Sione Tuipulotu, Scotland
BIO: Tuipulotu missed this year’s Six Nations with a pectoral muscle injury. When fit, he would be a fantastic starting option for Farrell, although his fitness remains to be seen. Glasgow Warriors coach Franco Smith previously said he would “absolutely” be back for the end of the season.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
EXTREMES
James Lowe, Ireland
BIO: The Irish winger will likely be one of the first names on Farrell’s team sheet. Lowe is in good form this season, and his kicking game will also offer the Lions a great deal against the Wallabies. This will be his debut tour.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland
BIO: Farrell was not deterred by an ankle injury that has already seen him miss six weeks of action. The Scottish winger is one of the most entertaining in world rugby when he runs with the ball, although it remains to be seen if he will get a starting position.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2021
Mack Hansen, Ireland
BIO: Hansen was a crucial part of the Irish teams coached by Farrell that lifted the 2023 and 2024 Six Nations, so it’s no surprise that he has been included. He adds to a talented room of wingers to face Australia.
PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Elliot Daly, England
BIO: Daly has the most experience among the backs selected by Farrell, having participated in the two previous Lions tours. He brings versatility and long-range kicking that will benefit the team, and is no stranger to delivering in big moments, as he did by scoring England’s last-gasp try to beat France earlier this year.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: 2017, 2024
Tommy Freeman, England
BIO: Freeman will be hoping his debut tour is one to remember as he looks to build on an excellent year so far. He was one of England’s standout players in the Six Nations, where he scored a try in all five of his starts.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
FULLBACKS
Blair Kinghorn, Scotland
BIO: Scotland’s fullback is the clear choice to win the number 15 jersey. His place in the Lions was in doubt because his rugby club Toulouse limited his availability for warm-up matches, but Farrell overlooked that and included him in his squad.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
Hugo Keenan, Ireland
BIO: Keenan has been a reliable option for Farrell with his consistent performances for Ireland, and will put pressure on Kinghorn for a place if the Scottish fullback is not at his best on the tour.PREVIOUS LIONS SELECTIONS: None
