Nigel Owens picks two Welshmen in his British & Irish Lions XV
Rugby NewsFriday, 04 April 2025 at 14:46
With the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia fast approaching, legendary referee Nigel Owens has tipped two Welsh stars to feature prominently.
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Writing in his column for the Wales Online, Owens singled out Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan as players who could make the Lions XV when the squad is selected later this year.
The Lions’ tour will include warm-up matches and a highly anticipated three-Test series against Eddie Jones’ Wallabies, played in iconic venues across Australia, such as Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
Dewi Lake: Leadership and Power
Owens reserved high praise for Dewi Lake, who captained Wales during their recent autumn campaign. Despite a challenging run for the team, Lake impressed with his leadership and all-around play. Owens wrote:
“Dewi Lake was fantastic as captain and Jac Morgan showed his class too – if the Lions squad was being picked tomorrow, those would be the first two names on the teamsheet as far as I’m concerned.”
Lake’s impact in the set-piece and his ability to lead by example have made him a standout figure, and his credentials for Lions selection are hard to ignore.
Jac Morgan: A Future Lions Star
Flanker Jac Morgan also earned glowing praise from Owens, who highlighted his consistent performances in Wales’ back row.
“Jac Morgan showed his class too – if the Lions squad was being picked tomorrow, those would be the first two names on the teamsheet as far as I’m concerned,” Owens remarked.
Morgan’s work rate and defensive brilliance have made him one of Wales’ most reliable players in a transitional period, and he looks set to play a key role in the Six Nations.
WIN A TRIP TO THE 2025 LIONS:
THE PACKAGE INCLUDES
- 2 x Return flight tickets from the UK to Australia
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 2nd Test in Melbourne
- 2 x Tickets to watch the 3rd Test in Sydney
- 4 x Night’s accommodation in Melbourne with bed & breakfast (24-27 July)
- 7 x Night’s accommodation in Sydney with bed & breakfast (28 July-3 Aug)
- 2 x Flight tickets Melbourne to Sydney including airport hotel group transfers
- 2 x Tickets to watch a private function with Lions legends
- Additional events to be announced
The winner will be part of the Lions supporters group with tour representatives on hand to oversee everything.
James Botham and Wales’ Depth Issues
While Owens focused on Lake and Morgan as Lions candidates, he also highlighted James Botham for his efforts during the autumn campaign, particularly against South Africa.
“James Botham was also immense against South Africa, so we certainly have quality there,” he noted.
However, Owens was candid about the broader issues facing Wales:
“It’s our strength in depth that is the problem, it’s just not the same as it was a few seasons ago and so, while it has been said a lot, it is true that this is a rebuilding process. Obviously, people weren’t expecting that to mean going so long without winning a game, but I am hopeful that we can break that run at the Six Nations and kick on from there.”
The Lions Tour 2025: A Rugby Spectacle
The Lions squad will be named later this year, and the tour promises to be one of the highlights of the rugby calendar. With matches in some of Australia’s most iconic stadiums, including Sydney’s Accor Stadium and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, fans can expect intense clashes as the Lions aim to avenge their narrow 2021 series loss to South Africa.
Owens’ endorsement of Lake and Morgan will resonate with Lions selectors as the countdown continues. If these two Welsh stars maintain their current form, they could be central figures in the Lions’ quest for glory Down Under.
Alun Wyn Jones and Owen Farrell included on list of worst British & Irish Lions
The British & Irish Lions is the pinnacle of a player's career – a chance to prove yourself against the very best. But not everyone rises to the occasion.
While some have cemented their legacies in red jerseys, others have left fans wondering how they even made the squad.
From unfortunate injuries to underwhelming performances, we take a look at some of the worst Lions players across different tours, with big names like Owen Farrell and Alun Wyn Jones making the cut.
2021 tour: Owen Farrell – The forgotten playmaker
Owen Farrell, one of the most recognisable and influential players in modern rugby, endured a tour to forget in South Africa. Despite his vast experience and reputation as a leader, Farrell was named by SA Rugby Mag as the worst-performing Lion on the tour.
Initially expected to play a key role, he started three games and featured off the bench in the first two Tests.
However, as the series decider loomed, head coach Warren Gatland made a brutal call – dropping Farrell from the matchday 23 entirely. It was a stark fall from grace for a player who was once considered indispensable.
2017 tour: Stuart Hogg – A case of bad luck
Stuart Hogg was primed to be the Lions' Test full-back in 2017, but fate had other plans. The Scottish star suffered a freak injury in the third game of the tour against the Crusaders, colliding with Conor Murray’s elbow and fracturing his eye socket.
While injuries are unfortunate, Hogg’s Lions career as a whole was disappointing. He failed to make a significant impact on the 2013 or 2021 tours either, making him one of the most underwhelming repeat selections in Lions history.
2013 tour: Tom Court – The holiday call-up
If there was ever a Lions selection that left fans scratching their heads, it was Tom Court in 2013. The Ireland prop wasn’t even in the original squad – he was on holiday with his family when he got the call-up.
Thrown into the squad late, Court was never going to be a game-changer. He did manage to hold his own in the scrum against the Melbourne Rebels, but his inclusion remains one of the strangest in Lions history.
2009 tour: Alun Wyn Jones – A rare disaster for the legend
Alun Wyn Jones is a Lions legend – but his 2009 tour was anything but legendary. A young second-row at the time, he struggled against the formidable Springbok pack, leading Bleacher Report to rate his performances a dismal 4/10.
Jones was criticised for losing the ball in contact, looking out of his depth, and failing to impose himself physically. At times, he even looked "terrified" according to some reports. It was a rocky start to a Lions career that would later see him become one of the most respected captains in history.
2005 tour: Andy Titterrell – The most questionable selection?
The 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand was an unmitigated disaster, and some of the squad selections did little to help. Among the most baffling was Sale Sharks hooker Andy Titterrell, who had just two England caps to his name.
Sir Clive Woodward’s decision to take a bloated 44-man squad led to several left-field inclusions, but Titterrell stood out as particularly bizarre. Lacking the physicality and technical ability required at this level, he made little impact and was quickly forgotten.
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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