“Plans Change” – Lions Suffer Double Blow Ahead of Second Test Showdown
Rugby NewsThursday, 24 July 2025 at 21:26
(a.k.a. the injury that sounds like a fancy pasta dish). He hasn’t trained since, and Andy Farrell has handed the keys to Ollie Chessum, who partners Maro Itoje in the engine room.
Just when you thought the Lions were locked and loaded for a Melbourne masterclass, the injury gods have struck again.
Two players pencilled in for starting roles have been ruled out of the second Test against Australia – and they’re not the only ones feeling the pain.
Let’s dive into the latest Lions infirmary report – complete with tears, boots, brain fog, and the dreaded
plantar fasciitis. (Ouch.)
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? Ringrose Rings the Alarm – Concussion KO for Centre Star
Garry Ringrose was all set to don the red jersey this weekend – until he wasn’t.
The Leinster centre, who had finally been cleared for action after a previous head knock, pulled himself from the starting lineup after feeling “off” during training. Concussion strikes again, and with admirable honesty, Ringrose took himself out of contention before Farrell had to.
He was due to start ahead of Scotland’s Huw Jones. Now, it’s back to the recovery room for Ringrose, who also missed the first Test due to the same issue.
? McCarthy’s Foot Fiasco – Lock Limped Out
Big Joe McCarthy had his sights on smashing Wallabies skulls again this Saturday – but his feet had other ideas.
The Irish powerhouse limped off during the first Test win with a nasty case of plantar fasciitis
? Sixteen Minutes of Mayhem – Graham’s Dream Ends in Tears
Darcy Graham’s Lions story was shaping up to be a feel-good fairy tale: late call-up, early try, electric footwork… and then heartbreak.
The Scottish speedster limped off in tears after just 17 minutes of his Lions debut against the First Nations XV. The diagnosis? Ligament damage. The result? Tour over.
He later posted online, saying it was “16 minutes I’ll never forget” and vowing to come back swinging in four years’ time. Brave. Devastating. Classic Lions rollercoaster.
?? Hansen’s Hopes Dashed – Injury Rules Irish Flyer Out
Mack Hansen – he of mullet, mayhem, and magic – was pushing hard for a Test start on the right wing. But that dream’s on ice after he picked up a knock in the 48-0 annihilation of the AUNZ Invitational XV.
Coach Farrell was keeping the faith earlier in the week, saying Mack was “progressing”… but not fast enough. Official word? He’s out. Tommy Freeman, get ready.
❌ Smith Clears Test, Still Fails Selection
England’s Marcus Smith may have passed his HIA with flying colours, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the matchday squad.
Farrell has opted for versatility, handing the bench spot to Blair Kinghorn instead. It’s a tactical call, not a medical one – but still a blow for Smith, who’ll now watch from the stands.
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“Gone backwards” – Four Lions Whose Stock Fell During the 2025 Tour
The 2025 Lions tour was set to cement careers and create new legends. But not everyone made the cut.
While some players put on a masterclass, others got caught flat-footed — losing ground in the brutal battle for Test spots.
This isn’t just about form; it’s about survival at rugby’s highest level. Here are four Lions whose tour dreams have hit the deck hard, and whose careers now face serious question marks.
1. Fin Smith – From Rising Star to Watching From the Sidelines
Once seen as England’s long-term fly-half solution, Fin Smith's Lions tour has done little to advance his case — and may have set him back. Despite early buzz, he had a minimal role on tour and was left out of both Tests against Australia.
His only serious rival for a future Lions No. 10 shirt, Finn Russell, started both Tests — suggesting Smith was firmly third choice in the selectors' eyes. What’s more, George Ford has re-emerged emphatically, leading England to four straight wins this summer (France XV, two against Argentina, and USA) and putting in vintage performances full of control, intelligence, and precision.
It now looks likely that Smith will return to England camp this autumn as a bench option at best, having gone from starter in the Six Nations to surplus in the Lions’ biggest games. For a player tipped to take over the 10 jersey long-term, this tour may have stalled his momentum right when he needed to push forward.
2. Josh van der Flier – From World Rugby Player of the Year to Overlooked on Tour
Crowned World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in 2022, Josh van der Flier arrived on the 2025 Lions tour with big expectations. Yet, in a stark contrast to his stellar individual accolades, he hasn’t featured in any Test match squad, nor has he been named on the bench — with Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne preferred in the back row.
Despite showing his usual work-rate and skill in midweek games, Van der Flier’s role on tour has been largely peripheral, and with fierce competition for starting spots, his chances of appearing in the final Test seem slim unless the series is already decided.
For a player once regarded as a guaranteed Lions pick, this tour has been a clear step back, highlighting the brutal realities of elite squad selection.
3. Duhan van der Merwe – From 2021 Test Starter to Watching From the Stands
Four years ago, Duhan van der Merwe started all three Tests for the Lions in South Africa — a testament to his power, pace, and try-scoring instinct. Fast-forward to 2025, and despite adding to his tally of tries during the tour, the Scottish winger has been left out of the matchday squad entirely for the second Test, overtaken by Blair Kinghorn in the pecking order.
Yes, Van der Merwe remains Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer, but his tour performances have lacked the spark and physical dominance that once made him undroppable. In midweek matches, he looked uninvolved, one-dimensional, and short on defensive intensity, while Tommy Freeman and James Lowe consistently offered more complete and rounded games.
His omission from the squad for a pivotal Test match is telling — a clear sign that his finishing threat alone is no longer enough to guarantee selection at this level. For a player once viewed as a Lions Test mainstay, this tour has marked a steep and very public fall down the ladder.
4. James Ryan – From Future Captain to Fringe Option
Once the youngest-ever Ireland captain and seen as a natural Lions leader for the next decade, James Ryan’s 2025 tour has exposed just how far his stock has fallen. Long considered a lock-in (literally) for the Test team, Ryan failed to start in either match — and even his place on the bench for the second Test raised eyebrows.
Fan backlash said it all, with many questioning how he was selected ahead of Scotland’s Scott Cummings, who had impressed in midweek action. Ryan’s only meaningful involvement came against the Reds, where he delivered a modest 6/10 performance — solid but anonymous. Once famed for his physicality and work rate, he’s now struggling to stand out among a new generation of locks.
Joe McCarthy, meanwhile, has stormed ahead in the pecking order, starting the first Test and earning an 8/10 rating for his aggressive collisions and breakdown presence before injury cut his game short. With Maro Itoje and Tadhg Beirnemaintaining elite form, Ryan now looks more like a squad filler than a future Lions starter.
For a player once tipped to captain the Lions, this tour has marked a shift from expectation to uncertainty.
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