"17 Months To Go" - Predicting Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions Squad to Tour Australia in 2025

Thursday, 11 January 2024 at 16:37

byRugby Rucker

It was announced today Andy Farrell is the new head coach of the British & Irish Lions, after Warren Gatland's stepped down from the role last year. Farrell will be at the helm for the Lions' upcoming tour to Australia, as the iconic 'Sea of Red' heads down under in 2025.

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In 17 months time, the British & Irish Lions will face Argentina for a warm-up test in Ireland's Aviva Stadium. There is plenty of time for Farrell to make his picks, and whittle down his squad-list for the following journey over to Australia.

Andy Farrell, Head Coach of Ireland is interviewed during the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Media Launch at County Hall, Lambeth, London on Monday 23rd January 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.

However, following the news of Farrell's appointment to the Lions, we've decided to dust off the old crystal ball and predict how the Lions will line up against the Wallabies. We have compiled a squad list of 42 players, which matches the same amount as the side which battled the Springboks behind closed doors in 2021. These picks are of course subject to injuries and contractural availabilities, as it is understood that only internationally eligible players can run out in the famous red jersey.

So, here are RUCK's predictions for Andy Farrell's 2025 British & Irish Lions squad, that will tour Australia from June of 2025.

PROPS

Ellis Genge, Captain of England during the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

1. Ellis Genge (England and Bristol Bears)

2. Andrew Porter (Ireland and Leinster)

3. Pierre Schoeman (Scotland and Edinburgh)

4. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland and Leinster)

5. Zander Fagerson (Scotland and Glasgow Warriors)

6. Finlay Bealham (Ireland and Connacht)

HOOKERS

Jamie George of England during the Summer Nations Series Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 12 Aug 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

7. Jamie George (England and Saracens)

8. Dan Sheehan (Ireland and Leinster)

9. Ryan Elias (Scarlets and Wales)

LOCKS

Munster player Tadhg Beirne during the European Champions Cup Match between Wasps and Munster at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on December 12th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK

10. Maro Itoje (England and Saracens)

11. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland and Munster)

12. James Ryan (Ireland and Leinster)

13. Grant Gilchrist (Scotland and Edinburgh)

14. Daffyd Jenkins (Wales and Exeter Chiefs)

15. Ollie Chessum (England and Leicester Tigers)

BACK ROW

Will Chudley of Bath Rugby looks to tackle Josh van der Flier of Leinster Rugby during the Heineken Champions Cup match between Bath Rugby and Leinster Rugby on 8 December at Recreation Ground, Bath. - PHOTO: Steve Haag/PPAUK

16. Hamish Watson (Scotland and Edinburgh)

17. Peter O'Mahony (Ireland and Munster)

18. Josh Van Der Flier (Ireland and Leinster)

19. Jac Morgan (Wales and Ospreys)

20. Jack Dempsey (Scotland and Glasgow Warriors)

21. Caelan Doris (Ireland and Leinster)

UTILITY FORWARDS

Ben Earl of Saracens sprints with the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Saracens and Leicester Tigers at StoneX Stadium, London on Saturday 4th November 2023 (PHOTO: George Beck/PPAUK)

22. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland and Edinburgh)

23. Ben Earl (England and Saracens)

SCRUM HALVES

Conor Murray of Ireland looks to clear the ball as Maro Itoje of England looks to block during the Autumn Nations Cup match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on November 21 2020. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

24. Conor Murray (Ireland and Munster)

25. Alex Mitchell (England and Northampton Saints)

26. Ali Price (Scotland and Edinburgh)

FLY HALVES

Owen Farrell, Captain of England kicking during the Six Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 4th 2023. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

27. Owen Farrell (England and Saracens)

28. Finn Russell (Scotland and Bath Rugby)

29. Marcus Smith (England and Harlequins)

CENTRES

30. Bundee Aki (Ireland and Connacht)

31. Manu Tuilagi (England and Sale Sharks)

32. Garry Ringrose (Ireland and Leinster)

33. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland and Leinster)

34. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland and Glasgow Warriors)

BACK THREE

Louis Rees-Zammit of Gloucester Rugby slips the tackle of Cadan Murley of Harlequins during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Gloucester Rugby and Harlequins at Kingsholm on 17 February. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

35. Hugo Keenan (Ireland and Leinster)

36. Darcy Graham (Scotland and Edinburgh)

37. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales and Gloucester Rugby)

38. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland and Edinburgh)

39. James Lowe (Ireland and Leinster)

40. Freddie Steward (England and Leicester Tigers)

UTILITY BACKS

Elliot Daly of England slips the tackle of Gareth Thomas of Wales during the Summer Nations Series Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 12 Aug 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

41. Elliot Daly (England and Saracens)

42. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland and Toulouse)

British and Irish Lions