Courtney Lawes confirms his plan to return to International rugby

Thursday, 27 March 2025 at 18:57

byRugby Rucker

Former England captain Courtney Lawes isn’t ready to close the door on a potential third British and Irish Lions tour, admitting that while his chances may be “slim,” he’s “pretty confident” that he could force his way into the starting XV if given the opportunity.

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Lawes remains in the mix despite French move

Andy Farrell, who will lead the Lions to Australia next year, hasn’t ruled out selecting players based in France, leaving the door slightly ajar for Lawes.

“We’re open-minded about all of that,” Farrell said. “As we start to whittle it down, the dynamics become a little bit different. We don’t know whether we’re going to have sufficient players in certain positions where we’re able to get on a plane and somebody could join us for game three, etc.”

“Abso-bloody-lutely!” – Lawes eager for Lions return

Lawes, now plying his trade with Brive after ending a 16-year stint with Northampton Saints, made his intentions clear during a conversation with former England scrum-half Danny Care on the

Hits Different podcast. When asked if he’d be open to another Lions call-up, the 35-year-old didn’t hesitate.

“Of course I would, abso-bloody-lutely,” Lawes declared. “It’s a slim chance, but if I can get on that tour, I’m pretty confident I can work my way onto that team. That’s all I want.”

A legend with unfinished business

With 105 England caps and a reputation for his physicality, versatility, and leadership, Lawes was a key figure in the Lions’ 2017 series draw against New Zealand and the 2021 tour to South Africa. The towering forward, renowned for his bone-crunching tackles and lineout prowess, remains hopeful that he can add another chapter to his illustrious career by donning the famous red jersey once more.

Can Lawes make history with a third tour?

Whether Farrell is willing to take a chance on Lawes remains to be seen, but the veteran flanker isn’t giving up hope just yet. If selected, Lawes would join an elite group of players who have toured with the Lions three times—a fitting accolade for a player whose commitment and resilience have been hallmarks of his career.

28 England players on Andy Farrell's 75-man Lions watchlist

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed that a 75-player longlist has been assembled ahead of the 2025 tour to Australia. The competition is fierce, with Farrell admitting there’s no shortage of talent vying for a spot.

Looseheads: Genge and Porter Set to Lead the Charge

Ireland’s Andrew Porter remains the front-runner to start in the No. 1 jersey after his impressive performances in recent seasons. Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman offers a powerful scrummaging option, while Wales’ Nicky Smith is a consistent performer. England is well-represented with Ellis Genge, Bevan Rodd, and rising star Fin Baxter pushing for inclusion.

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Hookers: Sheehan and George in Pole Position

Ireland’s Dan Sheehan has been a standout performer and looks a strong contender to start. His Leinster teammate Ronan Kelleher provides excellent cover, while England’s Jamie George and a returning Luke Cowan-Dickie bring plenty of Lions experience. Dewi Lake is Wales’ leading option.

Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
Jamie George (England)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
Dewi Lake (Wales)

Tightheads: Furlong Leads Strong Contingent

Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong is a near-certainty for the squad, while Finlay Bealham adds versatility. England’s trio of Will Stuart, Joe Heyes, and Kyle Sinckler offer plenty of competition. Scotland’s Zander Fagerson remains a reliable option.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
Will Stuart (England)
Joe Heyes (England)
Kyle Sinckler (England)
Zander Fagerson (Scotland)

Locks/Blindsides: Itoje and Beirne Among Favourites

Maro Itoje remains a key figure, with England also supplying George Martin, Ollie Chessum, and veteran Courtney Lawes. Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and James Ryan provide leadership, while Joe McCarthy and Iain Henderson add depth. Scotland’s Scott Cummings and Grant Gilchrist will compete for spots, while Dafydd Jenkins looks to be Wales’ strongest option.

Maro Itoje (England)
George Martin (England)
Ollie Chessum (England)
Courtney Lawes (England)
David Ribbans (England)
James Ryan (Ireland)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
Iain Henderson (Ireland)
Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
Scott Cummings (Scotland)
Grant Gilchrist (Scotland)

Flankers/No. 8s: Doris and Earl Set to Shine

Ireland’s Caelan Doris is a top contender for the No. 8 jersey, while Josh van der Flier and Peter O’Mahony add experience and breakdown prowess. England’s back-row options are loaded, with Tom Curry, Ben Earl, and Jack Willisoffering variety. Scotland’s Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie are strong candidates, while Wales’ Jac Morgan and Aaron Wainwright bring dynamism.

Tom Curry (England)
Ben Curry (England)
Ben Earl (England)
Sam Underhill (England)
Henry Pollock (England)
Jack Willis (England)
Tom Willis (England)
Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Peter O’Mahony (Ireland)
Jack Conan (Ireland)
Rory Darge (Scotland)
Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
Matt Fagerson (Scotland)
Jack Dempsey (Scotland)
Jac Morgan (Wales)
Aaron Wainwright (Wales)

Scrum-Halves: Gibson-Park to Lead the Pack

Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park looks set to retain his spot after an impressive World Cup. England’s Alex Mitchell and Jack van Poortvliet will compete for backup roles, while Scotland’s Ben White and Wales’ Tomos Williams round out the options.

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (England)
Jack van Poortvliet (England)
Ben White (Scotland)
Tomos Williams (Wales)

Fly-Halves: Farrell and Ford in the Mix, Russell a Wildcard

Owen Farrell’s leadership and experience keep him in contention, but England’s George Ford and Marcus Smith offer contrasting styles. Ireland’s Jack Crowley and rising star Sam Prendergast provide alternatives, while Scotland’s Finn Russell remains a game-changer.

Sam Prendergast (Ireland)
Jack Crowley (Ireland)
Owen Farrell (England)
Marcus Smith (England)
Fin Smith (England)
George Ford (England)
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Tom Jordan (Scotland)

Centres: Aki and Ringrose Set to Star

Ireland’s midfield pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose looks set to continue, with Robbie Henshaw and Jamie Osborne adding depth. Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones bring attacking flair to the mix.

Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Huw Jones (Scotland)

Back Three: Lowe and Keenan Lead the Line

Ireland’s back three trio of James Lowe, Hugo Keenan, and Mack Hansen remain front-runners. Scotland’s Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe provide proven finishing power. England’s Elliot Daly and youngsters Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme, and Tom Roebuck are pushing for spots.

James Lowe (Ireland)
Mack Hansen (Ireland)
Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Darcy Graham (Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Tommy Freeman (England)
Ollie Sleightholme (England)
Tom Roebuck (England)
Elliot Daly (England)

Nation Breakdown: Ireland Leads the Way

With a total of 75 players predicted to make the longlist, here’s a breakdown by nation:

Ireland: 22 players
England: 28 players
Scotland: 14 players
Wales: 11 players

Andy Farrell and his coaching team will have difficult decisions to make as the tour approaches, with intense competition across every position. Expect plenty of surprises when the final squad is announced.

Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?

Test your rugby knowledge and see how many of these iconic Lions players you can name! You’ve got 4 minutes on the clock—think fast!

Let’s see if you can nail this quiz and prove you’re a true rugby expert. Ready? Let’s go!

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