England star ruled out of the Lions 24 hours before squad announcement

Wednesday, 07 May 2025 at 12:51

byRugby Rucker

England lock George Martin has been ruled out of the British & Irish Lions tour just a day before the official squad is unveiled at London’s O2 Arena.

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The 23-year-old Leicester Tigers powerhouse, who has 12 England caps to his name, was widely tipped for inclusion by pundits and ex-Lions alike, but ongoing knee and shoulder issues have left head coach Andy Farrell with no choice but to leave him out, according to
Mail Sport.

Martin hasn't featured since limping off during England’s Six Nations victory over France on February 8, and despite a race against time to prove his fitness, the versatile second-row/flanker has failed to recover in time.

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The injuries don’t just rule him out of the Lions tour to Australia—they’ve also sidelined him from England’s summer fixtures against Argentina and the USA.

A product of the Leicester academy, Martin’s raw aggression and brutal defensive work had made him a prime candidate to bring physical edge to the Lions pack, but fans will now have to wait to see the rising star back in action.

Farrell is understood to be weighing up several fitness concerns ahead of tomorrow’s squad announcement, with a number of tight calls expected.

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Current Injured Lions Players:

Here’s the latest on eight players whose Lions dreams are hanging by a thread.

Caelan Doris – Captain in Crisis?

Ireland skipper Caelan Doris is a huge injury doubt for the Lions tour after Leinster confirmed the back-rower needs a “procedure” on a shoulder issue.

The 27-year-old, tipped by many as a potential Lions captain, was forced off during Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints at Croke Park.

Leinster haven’t confirmed the severity yet, but head coach Jacques Nienaber didn’t sugarcoat it.

“My gut says it’s serious,” he admitted. “Caelan’s not someone who comes off easily – so when I saw him go down, I feared the worst.”

With Farrell set to name his squad in just days, Doris is now in a race against time.

Duhan van der Merwe – Running Out of Time?

Scotland’s record-breaking winger Duhan van der Merwe is battling an ankle injury – and his Lions chances are fading fast.

The 29-year-old, who has 32 tries in 49 Tests, picked up the injury early in Edinburgh’s recent URC win over the Dragons. The club says he’s “expected to return during May”, but that might be too late.

With James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy Freeman, and Darcy Graham all in electric form, Van der Merwe’s spot is under serious threat.

Sione Tuipulotu – A Quick Healer or Out of Time?

Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu hasn’t played since January due to a freak pectoral injury – and his Lions hopes are hanging by a thread.

Glasgow boss Franco Smith remains optimistic. “He’ll be back, I’ve got no doubt about that,” he said.

But with Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, and even Scotland teammate Tom Jordan making strong cases, Tuipulotu might have left it too late.

George Furbank – Still in the Mix?

England full-back George Furbank is another big name under an injury cloud.

The Northampton star missed the Six Nations after breaking his arm in December but made a return last month. However, he’s struggling with a fresh issue and missed Saints’ Champions Cup semi-final win over Leinster.

He hasn’t been ruled out of the Lions squad yet, but time is running out.

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Zander & Matt Fagerson – Double Trouble for Scotland

Bad news for the Fagerson brothers.

Zander Fagerson is battling a calf injury suffered in training, just weeks after missing Glasgow’s Champions Cup hammering by Leinster due to concussion. Head coach Franco Smith says he’s out for the “foreseeable future”.

Meanwhile, Matt Fagerson is already ruled out for the season with an ankle injury. His Lions hopes? All but over.

Ollie Lawrence – Achilles Blow Ends Lions Dream

England centre Ollie Lawrence is definitely out.

The Bath powerhouse ruptured his Achilles against Italy in the Six Nations and faces 9-12 months on the sidelines.

He summed it up himself on social media: “Lost for words… That’s not how I imagined my season to end.”

With Lawrence out, the Lions’ midfield battle just got even more interesting, with Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade, and Joe Marchant all in contention.

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