Will Greenwood’s 2025 Lions XV picked in 2021 – How did he do?
Rugby NewsFriday, 25 April 2025 at 19:27
Back in 2021, fresh off the bruising series defeat to the Springboks, England legend Will Greenwood looked ahead to the 2025 Lions tour of Australia, and picked the 23-man squad he believed would take on the Wallabies in the first Test.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
His focus? Youthful exuberance, attacking intent, and some spicy coaching picks – with Gregor Townsend as head coach, flanked by Ronan O’Gara and Steve Borthwick as assistants.
Some of Greenwood’s predictions now look inspired. Others… not so much.
Here’s the full selection he made, and how each choice has aged as the 2025 tour looms.
? Fullback: Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Greenwood said: "After another four years of Irish rugby, he will be wiser and more composed; the leading European full-back."
Verdict: ✅ Still elite. Keenan has become Mr. Reliable at 15 for Ireland – solid in defence, clinical in attack, and rarely puts a foot wrong. A strong contender to tour.
Verdict: ✅ Still elite. Keenan has become Mr. Reliable at 15 for Ireland – solid in defence, clinical in attack, and rarely puts a foot wrong. A strong contender to tour.
?Wing: Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
Greenwood said: "In the short periods he did feature, you could tell there was a star in the making."
Verdict: ❌ Out of the game (literally). Rees-Zammit quit rugby in early 2024 to chase an NFL career. This one didn’t quite pan out.
Verdict: ❌ Out of the game (literally). Rees-Zammit quit rugby in early 2024 to chase an NFL career. This one didn’t quite pan out.
? Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
Greenwood said: "An inherent class act who defends astutely and runs devilish angles."
Verdict: ? From guaranteed pick to fringe. Ringrose had a poor Six Nations and has gone from a lock for the Lions to now being in the conversation but not guaranteed. His form will need to pick up if he’s to make the tour.
Verdict: ? From guaranteed pick to fringe. Ringrose had a poor Six Nations and has gone from a lock for the Lions to now being in the conversation but not guaranteed. His form will need to pick up if he’s to make the tour.
? Inside Centre: Cameron Redpath (Scotland)
Greenwood said: "I expect him to return to that sort of form when he returns to full fitness."
Verdict: ❌ Hasn’t quite taken off. Injuries and form have limited his progress. Other centres like Sione Tuipulotu and Ollie Lawrence have leapfrogged him.
Verdict: ❌ Hasn’t quite taken off. Injuries and form have limited his progress. Other centres like Sione Tuipulotu and Ollie Lawrence have leapfrogged him.
? Wing: Adam Radwan (England)
Greenwood said: "If you’re good enough, you’re old enough."
Verdict: ❌ Didn’t kick on. Radwan’s early promise faded, and he’s not come close to an England regular shirt since. Greenwood rolled the dice, and it didn’t pay off.
Verdict: ❌ Didn’t kick on. Radwan’s early promise faded, and he’s not come close to an England regular shirt since. Greenwood rolled the dice, and it didn’t pay off.
? Fly-Half: Marcus Smith (England)
Greenwood said: "By 2025, he could be one of the world’s best fly-halves."
Verdict: ? Mixed bag. Flashes of brilliance, but still not nailed down the England 10 shirt. Injuries and tactical shifts have held him back slightly, but the talent is undeniable.
Verdict: ? Mixed bag. Flashes of brilliance, but still not nailed down the England 10 shirt. Injuries and tactical shifts have held him back slightly, but the talent is undeniable.
?️ Scrum-Half: Tomos Williams (Wales)
Greenwood said: "Missing out this year will spur him on tremendously."
Verdict: ✅ Been one of Wales’ most consistent performers. Might not start for the Lions, but definitely in the conversation.
Verdict: ✅ Been one of Wales’ most consistent performers. Might not start for the Lions, but definitely in the conversation.
? Loosehead Prop: Ellis Genge (England)
Greenwood said: "With the ball in hand, Genge offers a threat no other loosehead can match."
Verdict: ✅ Top-tier. Now one of the first names on the England teamsheet and a genuine Lions candidate. Greenwood nailed this.
Verdict: ✅ Top-tier. Now one of the first names on the England teamsheet and a genuine Lions candidate. Greenwood nailed this.
? Hooker: Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
Greenwood said: "He will be desperate to return for the full three courses in Australia."
Verdict: ✅ Still very much in the mix. Has battled injuries but when fit, Kelleher is a high-quality operator.
Verdict: ✅ Still very much in the mix. Has battled injuries but when fit, Kelleher is a high-quality operator.
?️ Tighthead Prop: Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Greenwood said: "Looked strong early on before fading away."
Verdict: ✅ Still Scotland’s rock. One of the better Scottish scrummagers, and a likely tourist again.
Verdict: ✅ Still Scotland’s rock. One of the better Scottish scrummagers, and a likely tourist again.
? Lock: Maro Itoje (England, captain)
Greenwood said: "As things stand, there is simply no one else who could captain this side."
Verdict: ✅ Itoje is still favourite to be Lions captain. Despite a couple of blips, Itoje remains a key figure for England and the Lions. Captaincy is still very much in the cards for him.
Verdict: ✅ Itoje is still favourite to be Lions captain. Despite a couple of blips, Itoje remains a key figure for England and the Lions. Captaincy is still very much in the cards for him.
? Lock: Adam Beard (Wales)
Greenwood said: "Many were left scratching their heads when he was called up."
Verdict: ? Maybes. A mainstay for Wales, but unlikely to make the Lions.
Verdict: ? Maybes. A mainstay for Wales, but unlikely to make the Lions.
? Flanker: Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
Greenwood said: "He is a pest at the breakdown."
Verdict: ? Maybes. Ritchie is still a mainstay for Scotland, but he could miss out for the Lions, with competition from others.
Verdict: ? Maybes. Ritchie is still a mainstay for Scotland, but he could miss out for the Lions, with competition from others.
? Flanker: Tom Curry (England)
Greenwood said: "He has to return and get a couple of seasons under his belt."
Verdict: ? Injury-riddled. Hasn’t had that consistent run Greenwood hoped for, but still a huge talent when fit.
Verdict: ? Injury-riddled. Hasn’t had that consistent run Greenwood hoped for, but still a huge talent when fit.
? Number 8: Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Greenwood said: "Offers immense potential."
Verdict: ✅ World-class. One of the best in the world in his position now. Absolute banker for the Lions.
Verdict: ✅ World-class. One of the best in the world in his position now. Absolute banker for the Lions.
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