2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia
-
Rugby Analyst's take
-
I think the loose forwards are the hardest to pick. I'd be very shocked if Pollock wasn't in the 23. Don't think he'll start but his form and impact is undeniable.
Feel like Morgan has his nose in front on the openside flank. 6 and 8 are very hard to call but I don't think either spot will go to Curry or Earl. Chessum or Beirne for me at blindside, Conan probably at 8. Pollock and/or Earl on the bench.
-
I think the loose forwards are the hardest to pick. I'd be very shocked if Pollock wasn't in the 23. Don't think he'll start but his form and impact is undeniable.
Feel like Morgan has his nose in front on the openside flank. 6 and 8 are very hard to call but I don't think either spot will go to Curry or Earl. Chessum or Beirne for me at blindside, Conan probably at 8. Pollock and/or Earl on the bench.
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So if Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Edit: Sorry, Conan at 8 is what I meant. Fat thumbs.
-
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So if Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Edit: Sorry, Conan at 8 is what I meant. Fat thumbs.
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
-
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
As long as we have a 12 at 12 and a 13 at 13, I’m happy with any combo, though there is a case for going with established combos.
-
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo
Based on what?
-
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo
Based on what?
@KiwiMurph said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo
Based on what?
Sound.
-
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo
Based on what?
@KiwiMurph said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo
Based on what?
Gut instinct. Absolutely not saying it's right at all.
I can see Kinghorn being selected at fullback and obviously some people think DVDM should be selected on the left wing (disagree there, think it should/will be Lowe).
I just can't wrap my head around Scotland having four or five players starting in the Lions backline - probably just because they've historically been a bit shit (and even now haven't come close to winning the Six Nations or making a World Cup semi-final in a long time).
-
@KiwiMurph said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo
Based on what?
Gut instinct. Absolutely not saying it's right at all.
I can see Kinghorn being selected at fullback and obviously some people think DVDM should be selected on the left wing (disagree there, think it should/will be Lowe).
I just can't wrap my head around Scotland having four or five players starting in the Lions backline - probably just because they've historically been a bit shit (and even now haven't come close to winning the Six Nations or making a World Cup semi-final in a long time).
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@KiwiMurph said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo
Based on what?
Gut instinct. Absolutely not saying it's right at all.
I can see Kinghorn being selected at fullback and obviously some people think DVDM should be selected on the left wing (disagree there, think it should/will be Lowe).
> I just can't wrap my head around Scotland having four or five players starting in the Lions backline - probably just because they've historically been a bit shit (and even now haven't come close to winning the Six Nations or making a World Cup semi-final in a long time).
Don’t question it. Embrace it
-
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
On displayed form I can't see how Aki is in contention.
-
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
On displayed form I can't see how Aki is in contention.
@antipodean said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
On displayed form I can't see how Aki is in contention.
Yeah the
TonganScotsman appears to have the inside running on theSamoanIrishman -
This tour is starting to look like a hideous blood-bath for the Aussies, a lack of top flight talent and an interium coach against a Lions team flying high on confidence it could get nasty quick in the test series.
@Windows97 said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
This tour is starting to look like a hideous blood-bath for the Aussies, a lack of top flight talent and an interium coach against a Lions team flying high on confidence it could get nasty quick in the test series.
Yeah, Israel isn't very popular at the moment I guess. I can't see how psytrance is either. Not a good combo.
-
More recycling of players, some will be playing BIL for a third time. I thought there might be some NZ-based PI players as this squad looks weak.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/first-nations-pasifika-xv-squad-confirmed-for-lions-tour-match-2025714
-
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
On displayed form I can't see how Aki is in contention.
@antipodean said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
On displayed form I can't see how Aki is in contention.
Because Farrell
-
just read pollock saying that he wanted this team to be remembered as the greatest lions team ever
guna be a had get 'cos they are only playing the 8th ranked team in the world, and expected to win 3 zip
the 1974 lions team have that title well and truly wrapped up for all time anyway
-
@antipodean said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
@Catogrande said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:
Yeah back row and centres too close to call. With the former I think (hope) that balance is the deciding factor. Happy with Conan at 7 but the not quite the same need for a big munter at 6. So I’d Conan is at 8 I’d be tempted to go with Curry at 6 and Morgan at 7. If he goes with Earl at 8 then Chessum at 6. Bierne has shown he’s a lock, not a 6. Either way Pollock on the bench.
Midfield could be any combination of the Irish and Scottish guys. Two Scots probably in better form and have the combo with Russell but Farrell might favour his players. Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo, and we know that Russell is better than Prendergast so not sure how the maths works...
On displayed form I can't see how Aki is in contention.
Because Farrell
I think that is the real big downside of selecting a current Home Unions coach to lead the Lions. There's the issue of going along with the guys you know best, feelings of bias and then what happened to Henry in 2001. He'd done well in building up the self confidence in the Wales camp from a fairly low point and then in not picking many of them for the test side, screwed that over in a flash.
Of course the issue is, if not one of the Home Union coaches, then who? Ideally you need someone that really "gets" the Lions and is absorbed into the ethos, but you can't keep picking Ian McGeechan.
