Marcus Smith left at home as Lawrence Dallaglio names 36-man Lions squad
Rugby NewsWednesday, 07 May 2025 at 11:03
Lions legend Lawrence Dallaglio has left fans stunned after leaving Marcus Smith out of his 38-man British & Irish Lions squad for the 2025 tour to Australia – instead handing a surprise lifeline to veteran Owen Farrell.
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The former England captain, who stepped back from international rugby earlier this season, has been handed a ticket Down Under – and Dallaglio has zero doubts about the call.
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‘You need Test-match animals’
Explaining his bold decision, Dallaglio said:
“Farrell will be a selection people will question, but on a Lions tour you need some Test-match animals. You need that sort of quality out there in Australia driving the standards and driving the team forward.”
And despite Farrell missing chunks of the season through injury and focusing on club duties with Racing 92, Dallaglio insists he’s still got the goods.
“He has captained Racing 92 and they haven’t lost a game since he came back. They’re in the Challenge Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
Being injured isn’t necessarily a bad thing — he’s motivated, determined, fit and fresh.”
‘Not even controversial’
Dallaglio also took aim at critics doubting Farrell’s Lions pedigree, pointing to his clutch performances in red.
“Anyone who questions Farrell’s selection should rewatch the second Test against New Zealand in 2017 – the clutch penalties he nailed took it to a decider.
You can’t beat a seasoned Test-match animal. I wouldn’t even call it controversial. Andy Farrell will put aside the fact he’s his son – he’ll just pick the best man to help win the series.”
? Lawrence Dallaglio’s 38-man British & Irish Lions squad
? Back Three (6)
James Lowe (Ireland)
Tommy Freeman (England)
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Mack Hansen (Ireland)
Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Tommy Freeman (England)
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Mack Hansen (Ireland)
Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
? Centres (5)
Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Huw Jones (Scotland)
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Elliot Daly (England)
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
Huw Jones (Scotland)
Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Elliot Daly (England)
? Fly-halves (3)
Finn Russell (Scotland)
Fin Smith (England)
Owen Farrell (England)
Fin Smith (England)
Owen Farrell (England)
⚡ Scrum-halves (3)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (England)
Tomos Williams (Wales)
Alex Mitchell (England)
Tomos Williams (Wales)
? Props (6)
Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Ellis Genge (England)
Nicky Smith (Wales)
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Will Stuart (England)
Ellis Genge (England)
Nicky Smith (Wales)
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Will Stuart (England)
? Hookers (3)
Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
Jamie George (England)
Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
Jamie George (England)
?️ Second Row (5)
Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Maro Itoje (England, captain)
Ollie Chessum (England)
James Ryan (Ireland)
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Maro Itoje (England, captain)
Ollie Chessum (England)
James Ryan (Ireland)
? Back Row (7)
Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Tom Curry (England)
Ben Earl (England)
Jac Morgan (Wales)
Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Jack Willis (England)
Tom Curry (England)
Ben Earl (England)
Jac Morgan (Wales)
Taulupe Faletau (Wales)
Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Jack Willis (England)
Who will make the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad? Latest odds
While the final tour squad remains months away, these latest odds from the bookmakers offer the strongest hints yet of who’s expected to don the famous red jersey.
? BACK-THREE: Scottish Power, Irish Precision
Duhan van der Merwe (1/16) is about as nailed-on as it gets – the Scotland powerhouse leads the market by some distance. He’s joined by two key Irish threats: James Lowe (1/8) and Hugo Keenan (1/5), both firm favourites.
England’s Tommy Freeman (4/9) continues his upward trajectory, while Blair Kinghorn (8/11) brings utility value and flair. Don’t rule out Darcy Graham (2/1) – the pocket rocket could be a dark horse.
? CENTRES: Aki and Jones in Pole Position
No surprises here. Bundee Aki (1/5) has been sensational and looks a shoo-in, while Huw Jones (1/4) is Scotland's best bet in midfield.
Scotland’s dynamic duo of Sione Tuipulotu (2/7) and Huw Jones (1/4) are also on track for selection, while Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw (8/11) must prove his fitness to stay in contention.
? FLY-HALVES: Finn’s to Lose?
Finn Russell (1/10) has the number 10 jersey in his grasp – and the bookies agree. England’s Fin Smith (8/15) is rising fast, while Marcus Smith (8/11) just edges Ireland’s Sam Prendergast, who drops out of the market in this latest update.
? NINES: Neck-and-Neck
It’s tight at scrum-half. Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park (8/11) leads the charge, but Alex Mitchell (11/10) and Tomos Williams (11/10) are breathing down his neck. With form fluctuating, this one’s still wide open.
? PROPS: Irish Domination
There’s no ignoring Tadhg Furlong (1/8) and Andrew Porter (1/7) – both virtually guaranteed. Zander Fagerson (4/11)is Scotland’s main man, while England’s Ellis Genge (4/6) and Fin Baxter (5/6) are right in the mix.
Pierre Schoeman (5/4) is hanging on, but might need a big end to the season.
? HOOKERS: Sheehan Out in Front
Dan Sheehan (1/10) is the clear frontrunner, but Dewi Lake (8/15) is hot on his heels. England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie (6/5) is back in the mix, but will need to stay fit to seal his spot.
? LOCKS: Itoje the Banker
Maro Itoje (1/33) is the biggest lock on the list (pun fully intended). He’s joined by Tadhg Beirne (1/10) and rising Irish star Joe McCarthy (4/6).
England’s Ollie Chessum (8/11) is in the hunt, and George Martin (11/10) isn’t far behind either.
? BACK-ROW: Doris and Earl Lead the Charge
Ireland’s Caelan Doris (1/5) and England’s Ben Earl (1/5) are leading the way. Former World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier (1/3) is another certainty.
England’s Tom Curry (8/15) is close to sealing a spot, while Jack Morgan (4/6) and Jack Willis (6/4) remain outside contenders.
? PROPOSED 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
Back-Three (6):
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
Centres (4):
Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
Fly-Halves (3):
Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11
Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11
Scrum-Halves (3):
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10
Props (3):
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
Hookers (3):
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
Locks (5):
Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10
Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10
Back-Row (6):
Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jack Willis (England) - 6/4
Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jack Willis (England) - 6/4
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