The British & Irish Lions are set to embark on a highly anticipated tour of Australia from June to August 2025. Under the leadership of head coach Andy Farrell, appointed in January 2024, the Lions will engage in a series of matches, including a historic warm-up against Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 20—their first-ever game on Irish soil.
The tour schedule includes matches against Australia’s Super Rugby teams: Western Force, Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, and ACT Brumbies. Furthermore, the Lions are set to compete against an invitational team made up of players from Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide. The tour will conclude with a three-match Test series against the Wallabies, taking place in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
This tour signifies the Lions’ long-awaited return to Australia after a 12-year hiatus, creating considerable enthusiasm among rugby fans globally. The participation of a combined Australia-New Zealand XV introduces a distinctive aspect to the tour, ensuring a mix of established rivalry and new competition. This fixture is a brand new concept, and will take place just 1 week before the first test in Adelaide.
Featuring nine matches in total, the 2025 tour presents a thorough challenge for the Lions, evaluating their skills against Joe Smichts ever improving Wallabies. . The series is anticipated to attract unprecedented numbers of traveling supporters, highlighting its importance in the rugby calendar.
Whilst everything is in place for the tour to get underway. One thing is yet to be decided, the British and Irish Lions Squad to head down under. With so many quality players putting their hands up for selection, Andy Farrell and his coaching team have a nearly impossible challenge, while the rest of us can only hypothesize. So here’s Scrum Magazines starting XV for Test 1 in Brisbane.
1) Andrew Porter (Ireland)
Andrew Porter, born on January 16, 1996, in Dublin, Ireland, is a highly regarded prop forward recognised for his remarkable strength and adaptability in rugby. With a height of 1.84 meters (6 feet) and a weight of around 125 kilograms (251 pounds), he has played a pivotal role for both Leinster Rugby and the Irish national team. Porter has claimed 3 Six Nations Championships with Ireland including a Grand Slam in 2018 and back to back Championships in 2023 and 2024. A world class winner who deserves the first spot on our list.
2) Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Sheehan has consistently demonstrated dependability in both the scrum and lineout, which are essential components of the hooker’s responsibilities. His precision in throwing ranks among the finest, and his performance within the tight five is unwavering. Sheehan has been a standout performer for Ireland, playing a vital role in their success, including a Grand Slam victory and their rise to the top of the world rankings.
3) Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Fagerson has been a key element in Scotland’s rising success over the years. The tight head is a proven scrummager and a nuisance around the breakdown. However most impressively Fagerson has a real ability when carrying the ball, something you don’t see in a prop forward all that often. During the autumn nations series he received acknowledgment for his exceptional work ethic, especially in ruck engagements, where he averaged 32.5 rucks per 80 minutes throughout the series, marking the highest rate among front-row players from British and Irish teams.
4) Maro Itoje (England)
Since making his debut in 2016, Itoje has accumulated 85 caps and has played a crucial role in England’s achievements, which encompass Grand Slam triumphs and a Rugby World Cup final appearance in 2019. Itoje was the youngest athlete chosen for the 2017 tour of New Zealand, participating in all three test matches and contributing to the Lions achieving a series draw. He also was a key player in the 2021 tour to South Africa. A key player with bags of experience who will bring leadership to the side.
5) Joe Mcarthy (Ireland)
Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 120 kg, McCarthy presents a formidable presence on the field. His physical strength in the scrum, lineout, and maul establishes him as a significant force. Despite his imposing frame, he remains deceivingly mobile, his ability to cover ground quickly and contribute in open play distinguishes him from many traditional second-row players.
6) Ben Earl (England)
Earl’s proficiency in all three back-row positions, including flanker and No. 8, renders him an indispensable asset. His adaptability enables coaches to modify their strategies in response to different game plans and the strengths of their opponents, thereby offering greater flexibility in team selection. Earl’s defining trait is his remarkable ball-carrying prowess. His low centre of gravity, paired with his agility and strength, positions him as a persistent offensive threat. He frequently evades tackles and accumulates significant yardage, effectively transforming defensive situations into attacking opportunities through his dynamic running style. Furthermore, his impressive work rate and dominance over the ball make him an easy pick in the blindside position.
7) Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
Van der Flier, often referred to as “The Dutch Dynamite,” is celebrated for his unwavering stamina. He regularly leads in both tackle and carry statistics, traversing the entire field and demonstrating exceptional prowess in both defensive and offensive play. The 2022 World Player of the Year is an obvious choice.
8) Calen Dorris (Captain) (Ireland)
Doris has distinguished himself on prominent platforms, such as Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning Six Nations tournaments, Leinster’s Champions Cup encounters, and the 2023 Rugby World Cup. His capacity to deliver exceptional performances during pivotal moments underscores his readiness to handle the significant pressures associated with leading the Lions. Doris, playing as a No. 8 or blindside flanker, consistently distinguishes himself as one of the premier forwards globally. His remarkable blend of robust ball-carrying, defensive strength, and effectiveness at the breakdown renders him essential to the team. As a captain
who exemplifies leadership through his comprehensive skill set, he naturally commands the admiration of his teammates. At the age of just 25, Doris embodies the emerging generation of leaders. His youth and resilience position him as a promising candidate for long-term leadership, thereby guaranteeing continuity and stability for the Lions.
9) Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Gibson-Park’s skill in managing the pace of a match is among his most notable qualities. His rapid passing and capacity to release the ball from the ruck with remarkable swiftness enable his team to launch attacks with great speed. By maintaining pressure on opposing defenses, he can alter the momentum of the game and promote seamless, rapid ball distribution. His speed and situational awareness during fast ball scenarios are essential assets for the Lions, particularly in high-stakes encounters. An easy choice, the only scrum half that could potentially challenge him is Scotland’s Ben White.
10) Finn Russell. (Scotland)
The self proclaimed “Messi of Rugby”. A magician and a maverick. We need to look no further than Finn Russell. Russell stands out for his extraordinary vision, creativity, and playmaking skills. Possessing a keen rugby intelligence, he regularly identifies opportunities that elude others, skillfully directing attacks through bold passes and innovative kicks. His daring style of play, coupled with accurate handling and a formidable kicking game, renders him a persistent danger to any defense. Additionally, his leadership qualities and experience enhance the significant impact he has on the field.
11) James Lowe. (Ireland)
Lowe, as a dynamic wing, possesses an exceptional capacity to penetrate defensive lines through his speed, strength, and agility, rendering him a reliable scoring threat. His advanced understanding of the game enables him to anticipate plays effectively, frequently placing himself in crucial positions to seize scoring opportunities. Not to mention his cannon of a left boot, forcing teams to scrupulously cover the back field to evade the 50:22, creating space to attack the wings.
12) Sione Tuipolotu. (Scotland)
The centre partnership was by far the hardest choice. There are so many quality players to choose from including Tuipulotu, Aki, Jones, Ringrose and Lawrence. However, for me Tuipolotu carries all the traits of a world class centre. Tuipulotu possesses a distinctive combination of size and speed, rendering him a persistent challenge for opposing defenses. His assertive approach to ball carrying enables him to evade tackles and advance considerably, while his skill in offloading ensures the continuity of play and fosters the
creation of offensive opportunities. With Russell at 10 and Tuipulotu at 12 we could see a relied upon Scottish midfield connection that has put many teams to the sword over recent years.
13) Gary Ringrose. (Ireland)
Ringrose possesses a remarkable vision and the capability to generate attacking opportunities, which are among his primary strengths. His outstanding footwork enables him to dodge tacklers and facilitate line breaks. Furthermore, his precise passing, coupled with his talent for making quick and effective decisions, serves to dismantle opposing defenses, both during open play and through rapid ball distribution. Tuipulotu’s robust physical presence and proficiency in ball-carrying serve to enhance Ringrose’s agility, swiftness, and elusive running style. Tuipulotu possesses the capability to penetrate defensive lines with his formidable runs,
whereas Ringrose’s nimble footwork and skill in locating open spaces allow him to capitalise on gaps and generate offensive chances.
14) Darcy Graham. (Scotland)
“The Flying Scotsman” ranks among the fastest wingers in the realm of rugby. His remarkable speed and agile footwork enable him to capitalise on openings in the defense, converting try-scoring chances with exceptional accuracy. Whether pursuing kicks or initiating breaks from his own half, his speed renders him a perpetual danger on the field. Despite having troubling injuries over the course of 2024 he still is battling for the crown of Scotland’s all time top try scorer, alongside counterpart Duhan Van Der Merwe, who was a tough talent to leave off this list.
15) Hugo Keenan. (Ireland)
As a dependable fullback, Keenan demonstrates remarkable skill in handling high balls, thereby enhancing security in the backfield and contributing significantly to defensive efforts. His ability to pose an attacking threat, coupled with astute running and prompt decision-making, renders him a formidable presence in open play. Keenan’s poise in high-pressure situations, versatility across the backline, and consistent high-level performances affirm that he would be an invaluable asset to the Lions team.