They’ve gone from teenage sweethearts to one of England rugby’s power couples.
As the countdown to the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia enters its final stretch, rugby fans have spoken — selecting their dream starting XV from Andy Farrell’s 38-man squad.
With a mix of rising stars, proven veterans, and some surprising omissions, the results paint a fascinating picture of what supporters hope to see when the Lions face the Wallabies.
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? Headline: Pollock Rises, Farrell Omitted
Northampton’s 20-year-old sensation Henry Pollock continues his meteoric rise, earning strong backing from fans to feature in the back row — less than a year after making his Premiership debut. Meanwhile, the notable absence of Owen Farrell, son of head coach Andy Farrell and a veteran of three Lions tours, left many talking. His omission marks the end of an era as new playmakers take centre stage.
? The Fans' XV to Face Australia
1. Loosehead Prop: Andrew Porter (53%)
Porter claims the No.1 shirt with a dominant majority, beating out England's Ellis Genge and Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman. The Irishman’s dynamism and scrummaging strength clearly earned fan favour.
Porter claims the No.1 shirt with a dominant majority, beating out England's Ellis Genge and Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman. The Irishman’s dynamism and scrummaging strength clearly earned fan favour.
2. Hooker: Dan Sheehan (83%)
A runaway leader, Sheehan is almost unanimously picked to anchor the scrum. His form for Ireland has clearly impressed across borders.
A runaway leader, Sheehan is almost unanimously picked to anchor the scrum. His form for Ireland has clearly impressed across borders.
3. Tighthead Prop: Tadhg Furlong (44%)
Another Irish front-rower gets the nod. Furlong edges out England’s Will Stuart and Scotland’s Zander Fagerson in a tight contest.
Another Irish front-rower gets the nod. Furlong edges out England’s Will Stuart and Scotland’s Zander Fagerson in a tight contest.
4. Lock: Maro Itoje (79%)
Itoje remains a fan favourite, cementing his place as the Lions' lineout general. Despite stiff competition, his experience and presence are unmatched.
Itoje remains a fan favourite, cementing his place as the Lions' lineout general. Despite stiff competition, his experience and presence are unmatched.
5. Lock: Tadhg Beirne (53%)
Partnering Itoje is Beirne, a versatile workhorse whose form for Ireland continues to win admirers.
Partnering Itoje is Beirne, a versatile workhorse whose form for Ireland continues to win admirers.
6. Blindside Flanker: Tom Curry (41%)
Despite injury setbacks, Curry’s defensive steel and breakdown nous see him top a competitive category.
Despite injury setbacks, Curry’s defensive steel and breakdown nous see him top a competitive category.
7. Openside Flanker: Josh van der Flier (32%)
The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year pips young Pollock and Curry for the openside berth, underlining his pedigree.
The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year pips young Pollock and Curry for the openside berth, underlining his pedigree.
8. Number 8: Jack Conan (49%)
In a tight call over Ben Earl (45%), Conan’s Lions experience from 2021 sees him narrowly secure the starting spot.
In a tight call over Ben Earl (45%), Conan’s Lions experience from 2021 sees him narrowly secure the starting spot.
9. Scrum-half: Jamison Gibson-Park (83%)
Ireland’s livewire No.9 is the overwhelming pick, far outpacing Tomos Williams and Alex Mitchell.
Ireland’s livewire No.9 is the overwhelming pick, far outpacing Tomos Williams and Alex Mitchell.
10. Fly-half: Finn Russell (61%)
Creative and fearless, Russell is the fans' choice to guide the backline, beating both Smiths — Fin and Marcus — with ease.
Creative and fearless, Russell is the fans' choice to guide the backline, beating both Smiths — Fin and Marcus — with ease.
11. Left Wing: James Lowe (40%)
Lowe’s powerful carries and booming boot win him a starting place, just ahead of Duhan van der Merwe (39%) in a near dead heat.
Lowe’s powerful carries and booming boot win him a starting place, just ahead of Duhan van der Merwe (39%) in a near dead heat.
12. Inside Centre: Sione Tuipulotu (59%)
The Scottish centre wins a strong mandate over Bundee Aki, reflecting fans’ desire for ball-playing ability in the midfield.
The Scottish centre wins a strong mandate over Bundee Aki, reflecting fans’ desire for ball-playing ability in the midfield.
13. Outside Centre: Huw Jones (72%)
Jones dominates the outside centre vote, with his line-breaking ability making him the clear fan favourite over Garry Ringrose.
Jones dominates the outside centre vote, with his line-breaking ability making him the clear fan favourite over Garry Ringrose.
14. Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (51%)
Freeman emerges as the surprise pick on the right wing, edging Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe in a highly competitive field.
Freeman emerges as the surprise pick on the right wing, edging Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe in a highly competitive field.
15. Fullback: Blair Kinghorn (73%)
Perhaps the most decisive result outside of hooker — Kinghorn claims the fullback jersey convincingly, with Hugo Keenan a distant second.
Perhaps the most decisive result outside of hooker — Kinghorn claims the fullback jersey convincingly, with Hugo Keenan a distant second.
British & Irish Lions WAG's
Here's a look at some of the partners of the England, Irish and Scottish stars likely to be packing their passports — and maybe a Lions bucket hat or two...
Scotland:
Nika van der Merwe – Married to the Big Man (Duhan van der Merwe)
Nika and powerhouse wing Duhan van der Merwe tied the knot in sunny South Africa back in January 2023. She turned heads in a chic fitted gown with a thigh-high split, topped off with a glam studded cape — a wedding as bold as Duhan’s sidestep.
Emma Canning – Heptathlete and Super Mum (Finn Russell)
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Emma and magician-in-boots Finn Russell, but the pair are back stronger than ever and now proud parents to two daughters: Charlie and Skye.
Emma knows the pressure of elite sport first-hand — she’s a heptathlete, battling across seven gruelling events. Now she balances it all with family life and Finn’s erratic brilliance.
Annabel Jones – Puppy Love and Ibiza Vibes (Huw Jones)
Huw Jones and Annabel said "I do" in Ibiza back in July 2022 after meeting in Glasgow. Huw’s not afraid to show his romantic side, often calling Annabel his “everything.”
When an injury sidelined him during the 2019 Six Nations, she bought him a fluffy Maltese poodle named Louis — his furry lockdown lifesaver.
Dina Celina – Nutrition Queen and Future Mrs Kinghorn (Blair Kinghorn)
Blair Kinghorn popped the question to nutritionist Dina during a dreamy weekend at Gleneagles in 2023 — wedding bells will ring this August after the tour wraps.
The couple made an appearance in
Six Nations: Full Contact on Netflix, with viewers spotting Blair stepping in at fly-half when Finn Russell was sidelined. Dina’s backstage support? Rock solid.
Ireland:
Ellen Ringrose – The Childhood Sweetheart (Garry Ringrose)
Garry Ringrose and Ellen Beirne tied the knot in June 2023 at the dreamy Virginia Park Lodge in Cavan.
Speaking to EVOKE, the Irish centre couldn’t stop gushing: “Ellen is the best... she’s a huge support, especially in the not-so-good times.” Childhood sweethearts to power couple status achieved.
Katherine Egan – Medicine, Hockey, and Sheehan’s No.1 (Dan Sheehan)
Dan Sheehan’s long-term girlfriend Katherine Egan is as accomplished as they come. A hockey player for UCD and a Medicine student — she’s got brains, brawn, and ambition to spare.
She’s even studied in the U.S., proving she’s just as at home overseas as Dan might be on tour.
She’s even studied in the U.S., proving she’s just as at home overseas as Dan might be on tour.
Sophie de Patoul – Castle Wedding Royalty (Josh van der Flier)
Josh van der Flier married his Belgian/Irish partner Sophie in a fairytale 2022 wedding at Luttrellstown Castle.
The flanker popped the question in July 2021, and Sophie’s been in the crowd (and the camera shots) at many big Ireland games ever since.
Harriet Beirne – Welsh Beauty with an Irish Base (Tadhg Beirne)
Tadhg met Harriet on a night out in Cardiff back in 2018, and after a bit of long distance, the couple settled down in Ireland.
They tied the knot at Kilkea Castle in 2022, and just bought a new home together, with Harriet teasing “exciting and most likely stressful times ahead” in 2025. Big year incoming!
Kayla Aki – Mum of Four and Bundee’s Rock (Bundee Aki)
Bundee Aki and wife Kayla have one of the most established relationships in the Ireland camp. Married in 2018, the couple share four children: daughters Armani-Jade, Adrianna, and Ailbhe (born at home in 2022), and son Andronikas.
England:
Beth Dolling – Singer, Model, and Marcus’s No.1 Fan (Marcus Smith)
Fly-half Marcus Smith is dating Beth Dolling, a 25-year-old singer and model who’s worked with major brands like PrettyLittleThing and built up a sizeable social following.
She’s often snapped in glammed-up couples’ pics with Marcus, and one heartfelt post said it all: “No matter what, watching you do what you love doing makes me so proud.”
They’ve been Instagram official since June 2021, and with Beth’s fashion flair, expect some serious style moments down under.
Mimi Fall – The Future Mrs Itoje (Maro Itoje)
Mimi Fall is officially engaged to Lions veteran Maro Itoje after a jaw-dropping proposal during a holiday to Nigeria and Ghana. Mimi shared the news with a snap of her rock and the caption: “Mrs I to be.”
A professional model herself, Mimi’s been teasing fans with glimpses of the engagement party – though the wedding date remains on hold thanks to Maro’s jam-packed Lions schedule. Priorities, eh?
Ashleigh Inwood – Five Years Strong with Freeman (Tommy Freeman)
Northampton flier Tommy Freeman has been dating Ashleigh Inwood for over five years. They now share a home near Northampton and a future that looks just as promising as Tommy’s England career.
Freeman recently posted a loved-up tribute: “Five years. Forever grateful for your support.”
But don’t worry — there’s still room in his heart for Fin Smith. Tommy joked to MailOnline: “Our girlfriends aren’t happy because they think we like each other more than them!”
But don’t worry — there’s still room in his heart for Fin Smith. Tommy joked to MailOnline: “Our girlfriends aren’t happy because they think we like each other more than them!”
Nancy Neath – Design Star with an Eye for Decor (Will Stuart)
Prop Will Stuart’s girlfriend Nancy Neath is a creative talent in her own right, running a successful table and floral design business that’s got serious aesthetic game.
The couple moved in together in 2023, though not without hiccups. Will revealed: “My girlfriend chose a new mattress — it’s too soft. I’ve ended up on the floor a few times tucked in a duvet.” Rugby tackles are rough, but love is tougher.
Michelle Daly – From School Romance to Family Life (Elliot Daly)
Elliot Daly married longtime love Michelle in 2021 after years together and one perfectly timed proposal. The pair have now welcomed a daughter, Orla, born in July 2024.
Elliot summed it up sweetly on their anniversary: “One month ago today, I got to marry my soulmate. 10 years of knowing each other, 4 years engaged, and now finally married. My Wife.”
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