Marcus Smith set to miss out on the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour

Wednesday, 26 March 2025 at 09:44

byRugby Rucker

With just over a month until the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad is revealed, the odds are showing which players are most likely to earn a spot on the prestigious tour.

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Here’s a breakdown of the key contenders across each position, from the explosive back-three to the powerhouse forwards, as the Lions selectors weigh up their options.

A number of big names will miss out if the current odds prove to be correct.

Marcus Smith (England)
Smith’s flair and creativity make him exciting, but with fierce competition at fly-half, he might miss out on the Lions selection. Playing out of position during the 2025 Six Nations probably cost him.

Darcy Graham (Scotland)
Graham’s blistering pace and try-scoring abilities stand out, but with a crowded backline, he could miss the Lions tour. Other wingers might get the nod over the dynamic Scottish flyer.

Tommy Reffell (Wales)
Reffell’s defensive work and toughness are impressive, but with Wales' deep forward options, he could miss out on the Lions. More established players may edge him out of selection.

Owen Farrell (England)
Farrell’s leadership and versatility are key, but with the Lions’ rich midfield and fly-half options, he may miss selection. Emerging talents could see him on the outside looking in.

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Ringrose’s technical skill and defensive strength make him a top player, but he had a very poor Six Nations which included a red card against Wales. Other centres may have the edge.

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2025 British & Irish Lions Squad Based On Odds

Back-Three: Speed, Power, and Flair

The back-three options for the Lions are packed with dynamic talent. From powerful wingers to dependable fullbacks, the competition is fierce.

Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe is practically a lock, with odds of 1/16, while Ireland’s James Lowe and Hugo Keenan also look set to make the squad. With plenty of flair and power in this group, it’s going to be a tough decision for the selectors.

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
Mack Hansen (Ireland) - 2/1

Centre: Physicality Meets Creativity

In the centres, the Lions have a wealth of players who can bring both physicality and creativity. Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw top the list, with Aki’s odds sitting comfortably at 1/5. Scotland’s Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu are also in strong contention, bringing versatility and power to the midfield.

Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11

Fly-Halves: The Masterminds of Attack

Fly-half is one of the most critical positions for any team, and the Lions have three top-class contenders. Scotland’s Finn Russell leads the way with odds of 1/10, while England’s Fin Smith and Ireland’s Sam Prendergast are hot on his heels.

Russell’s vision and flair will make him a key playmaker, but Smith and Prendergast bring youthful energy and composure to the table.

Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Sam Prendergast (Ireland) - 8/11

Scrum-Halves: Quick, Dynamic, and Clinical

At scrum-half, Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park has the edge with odds of 8/11, though England’s Alex Mitchell and Scotland’s Ben White are breathing down his neck.

All three are known for their speed and sharp decision-making, making the scrum-half position a tight contest as the Lions look for the perfect player to feed their backline.

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Ben White (Scotland) - 11/10

Prop: Dominant in the Scrums

The prop positions are likely to see fierce competition, with the Irish duo of Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter looking like certainties. Scotland’s Zander Fagerson, England’s Ellis Genge, and Wales’ Nicky Smith will all be pushing for a place, making this one of the most closely contested positions. Furlong and Porter are the front-runners, but the battle for the other spots will be intense.

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Nicky Smith (Wales) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4

Hooker: Precision and Power in the Front Row

In the hooker department, Ireland’s Dan Sheehan is the standout contender with a dominant 1/10. England’s Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie will both be pushing hard for the other spots, with Cowan-Dickie’s form proving to be a key factor. Sheehan’s reliability at the line-out and in open play will make him tough to overlook.

Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Jamie George (England) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5

Lock: Strength in the Line-Out

The lock positions are dominated by England’s Maro Itoje, who is practically a certainty with odds of 1/33. Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy are also looking strong, while England’s Ollie Chessum and Scotland’s Scott Cummings provide a solid mix of experience and youthful energy. Itoje’s dominance in the line-out and around the park is unmatched, but the competition for the other spots remains fierce.

Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
Scott Cummings (Scotland) - 11/10

Back-Row: The Workhorses of the Lions

In the back-row, the Irish contingent is well-represented with Caelan Doris, Ben Earl, and Josh van der Flier all leading the way. The Lions will need players who can carry the ball, tackle hard, and provide leadership. England’s Tom Curry and Wales’ Jac Morgan are also pushing hard for spots in a fiercely competitive back-row selection.

Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jac Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jamie Ritchie (Scotland) - 6/4

Can You Name These 10 Legendary British & Irish Lions?

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