Brian O'Driscoll picks Henry Pollock in his British & Irish Lions XV

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 at 22:30

byRugby Rucker

They’ve gone from teenage sweethearts to one of England rugby’s power couples.

Brian O’Driscoll has unveiled his starting XV for the opening Lions Test against Australia – and it’s packed with Irish talent, a few English bolters, and a sprinkling of Scottish flair.

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Speaking to

The Daily Telegraph, the Lions legend stressed that his team is based on current form, with the first Test in Brisbane set for July 19.

“This is based on current form – as if the first Test were tomorrow,” O’Driscoll explained.

“There are always 50/50 calls and one or two contentious picks, but I don’t see someone like Henry Pollock as a bolter anymore – he was a shoo-in for me.”

The Irish icon also teased the usual Lions twist: the unlikely hero.

“Someone who sneaks into the squad or isn’t even selected today will end up starring in a Test. It alwayshappens.”

? O’Driscoll’s Lions XV – Based on Form

15. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
The Scotsman’s booming boot and aerial prowess get the nod at the back.

14. Tommy Freeman (England)
Flying under the radar no more, Freeman’s red-hot Premiership form earns his spot.

13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Silky, smart and solid – a classic O’Driscoll-style 13.

12. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
The midfield wrecking ball brings balance and bite to the backline.

11. James Lowe (Ireland)
O’Driscoll stays loyal to Lowe’s left boot and attacking spark.

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
The ultimate maverick. Form over structure. Magic over mechanics.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Tempo king. Sharp passes. Big-game temperament.

? Pack full of power and poise

1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Scrummaging brute and work-rate machine.

2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Explosive in the loose – the modern-day hooker prototype.

3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Underrated rock at tighthead – gets his flowers here.

4. Maro Itoje (England, captain)
The heartbeat of the Lions pack. O’Driscoll gives him the armband.

5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Jackal master. Line-out threat. Has to start.

6. Tom Curry (England)
Fresh from injury and back with a bang – the Curry engine returns.

7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
World Player of the Year pedigree. No-brainer selection.

8. Henry Pollock (England)
Still a very young man but already a Test talent. O’Driscoll calls him “a shoo-in.”

British & Irish Lions WAG's

Here's a look at some of the partners of the England, Irish and Scottish stars likely to be packing their passports — and maybe a Lions bucket hat or two...

Scotland:

Nika van der Merwe – Married to the Big Man (Duhan van der Merwe)

Nika and powerhouse wing Duhan van der Merwe tied the knot in sunny South Africa back in January 2023. She turned heads in a chic fitted gown with a thigh-high split, topped off with a glam studded cape — a wedding as bold as Duhan’s sidestep.

Emma Canning – Heptathlete and Super Mum (Finn Russell)

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Emma and magician-in-boots Finn Russell, but the pair are back stronger than ever and now proud parents to two daughters: Charlie and Skye.

Emma knows the pressure of elite sport first-hand — she’s a heptathlete, battling across seven gruelling events. Now she balances it all with family life and Finn’s erratic brilliance.

Annabel Jones – Puppy Love and Ibiza Vibes (Huw Jones)

Huw Jones and Annabel said "I do" in Ibiza back in July 2022 after meeting in Glasgow. Huw’s not afraid to show his romantic side, often calling Annabel his “everything.”

When an injury sidelined him during the 2019 Six Nations, she bought him a fluffy Maltese poodle named Louis — his furry lockdown lifesaver.

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Dina Celina – Nutrition Queen and Future Mrs Kinghorn (Blair Kinghorn)

Blair Kinghorn popped the question to nutritionist Dina during a dreamy weekend at Gleneagles in 2023 — wedding bells will ring this August after the tour wraps.

The couple made an appearance in Six Nations: Full Contact on Netflix, with viewers spotting Blair stepping in at fly-half when Finn Russell was sidelined. Dina’s backstage support? Rock solid.

Ireland:

Ellen Ringrose – The Childhood Sweetheart (Garry Ringrose)

Garry Ringrose and Ellen Beirne tied the knot in June 2023 at the dreamy Virginia Park Lodge in Cavan.

Speaking to EVOKE, the Irish centre couldn’t stop gushing: “Ellen is the best... she’s a huge support, especially in the not-so-good times.” Childhood sweethearts to power couple status achieved.

Katherine Egan – Medicine, Hockey, and Sheehan’s No.1 (Dan Sheehan)

Dan Sheehan’s long-term girlfriend Katherine Egan is as accomplished as they come. A hockey player for UCD and a Medicine student — she’s got brains, brawn, and ambition to spare.
She’s even studied in the U.S., proving she’s just as at home overseas as Dan might be on tour.

Sophie de Patoul – Castle Wedding Royalty (Josh van der Flier)

Josh van der Flier married his Belgian/Irish partner Sophie in a fairytale 2022 wedding at Luttrellstown Castle.

The flanker popped the question in July 2021, and Sophie’s been in the crowd (and the camera shots) at many big Ireland games ever since.

Harriet Beirne – Welsh Beauty with an Irish Base (Tadhg Beirne)

Tadhg met Harriet on a night out in Cardiff back in 2018, and after a bit of long distance, the couple settled down in Ireland.

They tied the knot at Kilkea Castle in 2022, and just bought a new home together, with Harriet teasing “exciting and most likely stressful times ahead” in 2025. Big year incoming!

Kayla Aki – Mum of Four and Bundee’s Rock (Bundee Aki)

Bundee Aki and wife Kayla have one of the most established relationships in the Ireland camp. Married in 2018, the couple share four children: daughters Armani-Jade, Adrianna, and Ailbhe (born at home in 2022), and son Andronikas.

England:

Beth Dolling – Singer, Model, and Marcus’s No.1 Fan (Marcus Smith)

Fly-half Marcus Smith is dating Beth Dolling, a 25-year-old singer and model who’s worked with major brands like PrettyLittleThing and built up a sizeable social following.

She’s often snapped in glammed-up couples’ pics with Marcus, and one heartfelt post said it all: “No matter what, watching you do what you love doing makes me so proud.”

They’ve been Instagram official since June 2021, and with Beth’s fashion flair, expect some serious style moments down under.

Mimi Fall – The Future Mrs Itoje (Maro Itoje)

Mimi Fall is officially engaged to Lions veteran Maro Itoje after a jaw-dropping proposal during a holiday to Nigeria and Ghana. Mimi shared the news with a snap of her rock and the caption: “Mrs I to be.”

A professional model herself, Mimi’s been teasing fans with glimpses of the engagement party – though the wedding date remains on hold thanks to Maro’s jam-packed Lions schedule. Priorities, eh?

Ashleigh Inwood – Five Years Strong with Freeman (Tommy Freeman)

Northampton flier Tommy Freeman has been dating Ashleigh Inwood for over five years. They now share a home near Northampton and a future that looks just as promising as Tommy’s England career.

Freeman recently posted a loved-up tribute: “Five years. Forever grateful for your support.”
But don’t worry — there’s still room in his heart for Fin Smith. Tommy joked to MailOnline: “Our girlfriends aren’t happy because they think we like each other more than them!”

Nancy Neath – Design Star with an Eye for Decor (Will Stuart)

Prop Will Stuart’s girlfriend Nancy Neath is a creative talent in her own right, running a successful table and floral design business that’s got serious aesthetic game.

The couple moved in together in 2023, though not without hiccups. Will revealed: “My girlfriend chose a new mattress — it’s too soft. I’ve ended up on the floor a few times tucked in a duvet.” Rugby tackles are rough, but love is tougher.

Michelle Daly – From School Romance to Family Life (Elliot Daly)

Elliot Daly married longtime love Michelle in 2021 after years together and one perfectly timed proposal. The pair have now welcomed a daughter, Orla, born in July 2024.

Elliot summed it up sweetly on their anniversary: “One month ago today, I got to marry my soulmate. 10 years of knowing each other, 4 years engaged, and now finally married. My Wife.”