The British & Irish Lions starting XV to face Argentina, Marcus Smith starts

Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 14:28

byHarry Tovey

They’ve gone from teenage sweethearts to one of England rugby’s power couples.

The British and Irish Lions squad are currently in Quinta da Lago, Portugal, for the week despite 16 players missing from the training camp. Andy Farrell’s men will be ramping up preparations in the warmth on the south coast of Portugal, but they will do so with just over 40% of the squad unavailable due to finals this weekend.

16 of the 38 players have other priorities on their minds this weekend as they’ll be preparing for the finals of the Gallagher Premiership and the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC).

RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU.

Due to the Premiership final on Saturday Farrrell will be without the likes of Ollie Chessum, Will Stuart and Finn Russell. Whilst Leinster host the Bulls this weekend at Croke Park in the URC final, there are 12 Lions expected to take part.

Dan Sheenan, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose, Hugo Keenan, and James Lowe are all expected to have minutes.

There is also still a growing concern over the fitness of Furlong, who is struggling with a calf injury. Blair Kinghorn has also not traveled to Portugal as he’ll be hoping to pick up some silverware with Top 14 side Toulouse, but again is an injury concern.

Zander Fagerson has had his dreams of touring with the Lions for a second time cut short as he has been ruled out and is replaced by Ireland and Connacht’s Finlay Bealham. There has also been some call-ups to the training squad as both Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have been called up for cover.

So when looking at the potential team to face Argentina in Dublin a week Friday, Farrell may already be having headaches when it comes to his selection as injury and unavailability is of major concern.

The clash against Los Pumas is a dress rehearsal for the tour, so Farrell is expected to select Harlequins’ Marcus Smith at fullback but 32-year-old Elliot Daly may be selected. Looking at the wings there is injury concerns but Tommy Freeman should get the nod whilst both Duhan van der Merwe and Mack Hansen have been sidelined since March and April respectively.

This could lead to James Lowe being selected despite the Leinster winger playing six days earlier in the URC final. There’s not so much drama when it comes to Farrell selecting his centres and don’t be surprised if the pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki is named. Although having Huw Jones available as well, we could see an already established partnership with of Jones and Tuipulotu picked.

Farrell is unlikely to have his first choices when it comes to selecting his halfbacks against Argentina so it will likely be both Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith starting.

Within the pack, Luke Cowan-Dickie is the only selected hooker to travel to Portugal and is the obvious choice in the two jersey after his side Sale Sharks could not advance to the Premiership final.

Tight-head is where there is a growing worry as if Furlong is unavailable then this hands over the opportunity to Bath’s Will Stuart to be in the pole position for that three jersey against the Wallabies.

However, it’s very unlikely he’ll start with all these injury concerns so newly called up Bealham should be picked. There is also a possibility to have Sale’s Opoku-Fordjour on the bench. At loose-head there is less drama for Farrell when it comes to selection as both Ellis Genge and Pierre Schoeman will be both available and it will be interesting to see who starts.

Tour captain, Maro Itoje is likely to be paired up with Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne in the second row. Whilst in the back row only two players selected in the squad will be unavailable and this will lead to Jac Morgan, Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Henry Pollock all having crucial minutes on the pitch.

Likely Lions team to face Argentina at Aviva Stadium:

15. Marcus Smith (England and Harlequins)

14. Tommy Freeman (England and Northampton Saints)

13. Bundee Aki (Ireland and Connacht Rugby)

12. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland and Glasgow Warriors)

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby)

10. Fin Smith (England and Northampton Saints)

9. Alex Mitchell (England and Northampton Saints)

1. Ellis Genge (England and Bristol Bears)

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (England and Sale Sharks)

3. Finlay Bealham (Ireland and Connacht Rugby)

4. Maro Itoje (c) (England and Saracens)

5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland and Munster Rugby)

6. Jac Morgan (Wales and Ospreys)

7. Tom Curry (England and Sale Sharks)

8. Henry Pollock (England and Northampton Saints)

Andy Farrell allows Lions stars to bring Wags to Australia – meet them here

British & Irish Lions boss Andy Farrell is sticking to tradition ahead of the 2025 tour to Australia — giving the green light for players to see their loved ones during downtime.

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the partners of the 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.

358053195 1331331460753082 2551204344906760927 njpg

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.

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!”

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.”