Leaked Lions team to play Western Force features NINE Irishmen
Rugby NewsWednesday, 25 June 2025 at 20:25
The Telegraph revealed the likely British & Irish Lions starting XV to face Western Force in their tour opener on Saturday – and it’s packed with Irish talent.
Andy Farrell has now confirmed his selection with the official XV listed below.
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Andy Farrell, the Lions head coach, is expected to name an Ireland-heavy side for the first clash on Australian soil, with several rested Leinster stars returning to the fold after missing the 28-24 defeat to Argentina last weekend.
Bath’s Premiership-winning playmaker Finn Russell is set to pull the strings at fly-half, while England’s Will Stuart is tipped to pack down in the front row alongside Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter.
England loose forward Ollie Chessum is also expected to earn a start in the back row, with Irish duo Jack Conan and Josh van der Flier completing the trio.
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Although fullback Hugo Keenan is set to miss out, Farrell has already signalled his intent to build around the core of the URC-winning Leinster squad. Jamison Gibson-Park and Garry Ringrose both trained fully this week, though Scotland’s Huw Jones is pushing hard for a place at outside centre.
Farrell confirms his starting XV at 7:30am UK time on Thursday.
Here’s the probable (NOW CONFIRMED) Lions team to play Western Force, according to The Telegraph:
15. Elliot Daly – A versatile back with over 60 England caps, Daly offers a cannon boot and proven 15. Elliot Daly (Saracens / England) #822
A versatile and experienced back, Elliot Daly brings attacking flair, a booming boot, and positional intelligence to the full-back role. Capable across the backline, Daly has been a mainstay for England since his debut in 2016 and a British & Irish Lion.
A versatile and experienced back, Elliot Daly brings attacking flair, a booming boot, and positional intelligence to the full-back role. Capable across the backline, Daly has been a mainstay for England since his debut in 2016 and a British & Irish Lion.
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby / Ireland) #867
The electrifying Australian-born wing burst onto the Irish scene with flair, speed, and fearless creativity. Known for his unpredictable running lines and sharp instincts, Hansen quickly became a fan favorite after his debut in 2022.
The electrifying Australian-born wing burst onto the Irish scene with flair, speed, and fearless creativity. Known for his unpredictable running lines and sharp instincts, Hansen quickly became a fan favorite after his debut in 2022.
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby / Ireland)
A classy and cerebral outside centre, Ringrose is renowned for his footwork, defensive organization, and leadership. A Leinster stalwart and Irish international since 2016, he remains one of the most consistent midfielders in the game.
A classy and cerebral outside centre, Ringrose is renowned for his footwork, defensive organization, and leadership. A Leinster stalwart and Irish international since 2016, he remains one of the most consistent midfielders in the game.
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors / Scotland) #863
A powerful and intelligent centre, Tuipulotu adds physicality and creativity to Scotland’s midfield. Born in Australia, he qualified for Scotland through his grandmother and debuted in 2021.
A powerful and intelligent centre, Tuipulotu adds physicality and creativity to Scotland’s midfield. Born in Australia, he qualified for Scotland through his grandmother and debuted in 2021.
11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby / Ireland)
A potent attacking force with a booming left foot, Lowe brings aggression and energy on the wing. A New Zealand-born player, he became eligible for Ireland in 2020 and has since added flair to their back three.
A potent attacking force with a booming left foot, Lowe brings aggression and energy on the wing. A New Zealand-born player, he became eligible for Ireland in 2020 and has since added flair to their back three.
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby / Scotland) #835
One of the most gifted playmakers in world rugby, Russell blends vision, audacity, and pinpoint kicking. His move to Bath has only sharpened his control and creativity at fly-half for Scotland and beyond.
One of the most gifted playmakers in world rugby, Russell blends vision, audacity, and pinpoint kicking. His move to Bath has only sharpened his control and creativity at fly-half for Scotland and beyond.
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby / Wales) #866
A sharp and instinctive scrum-half, Williams offers quick service, sniping breaks, and strong defensive work. He’s become a key figure for Wales and recently transferred to Gloucester to further sharpen his game.
A sharp and instinctive scrum-half, Williams offers quick service, sniping breaks, and strong defensive work. He’s become a key figure for Wales and recently transferred to Gloucester to further sharpen his game.
1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby / Scotland) #868
A dynamic loosehead prop with powerful carries and a relentless work rate, Schoeman has been a cornerstone for Scotland’s front row since qualifying in 2021 through residency.
A dynamic loosehead prop with powerful carries and a relentless work rate, Schoeman has been a cornerstone for Scotland’s front row since qualifying in 2021 through residency.
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby / Ireland) (c)
A world-class hooker with explosive athleticism and clinical finishing, Sheehan has quickly risen as a leader for Ireland. A vital piece of Leinster’s pack, he's known for his lineout accuracy and dynamism around the park.
A world-class hooker with explosive athleticism and clinical finishing, Sheehan has quickly risen as a leader for Ireland. A vital piece of Leinster’s pack, he's known for his lineout accuracy and dynamism around the park.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby / Ireland) #818
Regarded as one of the premier tightheads in global rugby, Furlong combines set-piece excellence with soft hands and physicality. A two-time British & Irish Lion, he’s a linchpin in Ireland’s scrum.
Regarded as one of the premier tightheads in global rugby, Furlong combines set-piece excellence with soft hands and physicality. A two-time British & Irish Lion, he’s a linchpin in Ireland’s scrum.
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors / Scotland) #869
A workhorse lock with strong set-piece fundamentals and lineout prowess, Cummings has been steadily growing in stature in Scotland’s engine room since his debut in 2019.
A workhorse lock with strong set-piece fundamentals and lineout prowess, Cummings has been steadily growing in stature in Scotland’s engine room since his debut in 2019.
5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby / Ireland)
An imposing lock known for his physical presence, McCarthy is one of the brightest young talents in Irish rugby. His aggression in contact and set-piece skills have quickly earned him international recognition.
An imposing lock known for his physical presence, McCarthy is one of the brightest young talents in Irish rugby. His aggression in contact and set-piece skills have quickly earned him international recognition.
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby / Ireland) #838
Beirne is a versatile, turnover-hungry forward capable of playing lock or flanker. His work at the breakdown, athleticism, and lineout skill make him a key figure in Ireland’s back five.
Beirne is a versatile, turnover-hungry forward capable of playing lock or flanker. His work at the breakdown, athleticism, and lineout skill make him a key figure in Ireland’s back five.
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby / Ireland)
The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier is known for his relentless work rate, tackling, and ball-carrying. A vital cog in both Leinster and Ireland’s game plan.
The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier is known for his relentless work rate, tackling, and ball-carrying. A vital cog in both Leinster and Ireland’s game plan.
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints / England) #865
A rising star in English rugby, Pollock is known for his high motor, breakdown nous, and ball-carrying. Having shone at U20 level, his senior debut marks him as one to watch for the future.
A rising star in English rugby, Pollock is known for his high motor, breakdown nous, and ball-carrying. Having shone at U20 level, his senior debut marks him as one to watch for the future.
Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby / Ireland) #864
A dynamic hooker with a strong try-scoring record, Kelleher is a mobile, hard-hitting front-row option. He adds impact and reliability off the bench.
A dynamic hooker with a strong try-scoring record, Kelleher is a mobile, hard-hitting front-row option. He adds impact and reliability off the bench.
17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby / Ireland)
Equally comfortable at loosehead and tighthead, Porter is a powerhouse scrummager and explosive ball-carrier, regularly making an impact in both Leinster and Ireland jerseys.
Equally comfortable at loosehead and tighthead, Porter is a powerhouse scrummager and explosive ball-carrier, regularly making an impact in both Leinster and Ireland jerseys.
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby / England)
A strong, no-nonsense tighthead prop, Stuart offers solid scrummaging and tough defense. A consistent performer for Bath and England.
A strong, no-nonsense tighthead prop, Stuart offers solid scrummaging and tough defense. A consistent performer for Bath and England.
19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers / England)
A tall, athletic lock with superb mobility and lineout ability, Chessum is part of the new generation of English forwards. His versatility makes him a valuable squad member.
A tall, athletic lock with superb mobility and lineout ability, Chessum is part of the new generation of English forwards. His versatility makes him a valuable squad member.
20. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby / Ireland) #839
An experienced No. 8 with Lions credentials, Conan provides go-forward ball and composure at the base of the scrum. A trusted figure in high-stakes matches.
An experienced No. 8 with Lions credentials, Conan provides go-forward ball and composure at the base of the scrum. A trusted figure in high-stakes matches.
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints / England) #860
An agile, attacking scrum-half, Mitchell thrives on quick ball and rapid tempo. His flair and sniping runs offer a different dynamic late in games.
An agile, attacking scrum-half, Mitchell thrives on quick ball and rapid tempo. His flair and sniping runs offer a different dynamic late in games.
22. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors / Scotland)
A dangerous outside centre with strong running lines and attacking instinct, Jones has rediscovered top form in recent seasons and remains a threat in open space.
A dangerous outside centre with strong running lines and attacking instinct, Jones has rediscovered top form in recent seasons and remains a threat in open space.
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins / England) #855
A mercurial fly-half with dazzling footwork and creative spark, Smith can change games in an instant. A versatile option at 10 or 15, he brings flair and fearlessness off the bench.
A mercurial fly-half with dazzling footwork and creative spark, Smith can change games in an instant. A versatile option at 10 or 15, he brings flair and fearlessness off the bench.
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Can You Name Every 2021 British & Irish Lions Player?
Think you remember the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa? It’s been a few years since that brutal, bruising, and controversial Test series — but true rugby heads never forget.
- 42 players were named in Warren Gatland’s final squad
- The Lions won the First Test 22-17, but the Springboks hit back to win the series 2-1
- The decider? A gritty 19-16 Springbok victory that still stings for many fans
Now it's time to test your memory.
- How many of those 42 Lions can you name?
- No hints. No positions. Just rugby IQ.
- You’ve got 5 minutes.
Take the quiz, scroll down, and start typing.
Let’s see what you’re made of.
Let’s see what you’re made of.
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