Will Greenwood names his 'pacy, tough-tacking' 2025 Lions XV

Tuesday, 10 August 2021 at 10:53

dark violet cyan orange white shapes and widgets news youtube thumbnail 31 1

byruckadmin

Pacy backs and hard-hitting forwards - England legend Will Greenwood has named his 2025 British and Irish Lions team to face Australia.

Will Greenwood: 2025 Lions XV

#BACK-THREE:

15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
11. Adam Radwan (England)

Greenwood on Radwan: "The Newcastle Falcon might be raw, but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. We’ve seen Cheslin Kolbe hot-step his way to a series-clinching try; Radwan could do the same."

Our selection: Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Adam Radwan (England), Freddie Steward (England)

#CENTRES:

13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
12. Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

Greenwood on Redpath: "I am convinced that Redpath would have toured South Africa this year were it not for the serious knee injury sustained while in action for Bath."

10226666666666666x767 origin 0x0 garry ringrose

Our selection: Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

#HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (England)
9. Tomos Williams (Wales)

Greenwood on Smith: "He only had time for one appearance, but the outrageous, audacious manner in which he inspired Harlequins to their second Premiership title proves he is developing wonderfully. By 2025, he could be one of the world’s best fly-halves."

Our selection: Marcus Smith (England), Jamie Robie (Scotland)

#FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (England)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland)

Greenwood on Genge: "This year’s loosehead contingent will all have moved on which leaves the door open for Genge, as well as Sale’s Bevan Rodd, who has bags of potential."

Our selection:Ellis Genge (England), Alfie Barbeary (England), Andrew Porter (Ireland)

#SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje (England, captain)
5. Adam Beard (Wales)

Greenwood on Itoje: "As things stand, there is simply no one else who could captain this side."

Our selection: Maro Itoje (England), James Ryan (Ireland)

#BACK-ROW:

6. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)

Greenwood on Ritchie: "Ritchie has looked the real deal for Scotland for a few seasons now. He is a trusty option at the lineout, he has pace to burn and, most importantly, has a top engine."