Is this the toughest Lions Tour squad selection in the history of rugby? I certainly think so. There isn’t one position with a clear cut choice, and while I can’t get inside the mind of head coach Andy Farrell, I’m willing to bet that the idea of a few wild card selections has definitely crossed his mind.
In the past there have definitely been some spicy wildcard picks in British & Irish Lions history—players who came out of nowhere, had limited international experience, or simply weren’t expected to make the squad. Before I pick my potential Lions Bolters for 2025, here’s a roundup of some of the most notable ones from the years past.
Will Greenwood (1997) – England
- Caps at time of selection: 0
- Greenwood was famously picked for the 1997 Lions tour to South Africa before he had even earned a cap for England. Although he got injured early on, it showed the Lions selectors were willing to back pure potential. He went on to become a World Cup winner in 2003.
Keith Earls (2009) – Ireland
- Age: 21
- Caps at time of selection: 2
- Earls had barely broken into the Irish team when he was picked for the tour to South Africa. While he had limited impact on the field, his inclusion was seen as a nod to his raw speed and versatility across the backline.
Christian Wade (2013) – England
- Called up mid-tour due to injuries, Wade had just one England cap at the time and had been lighting it up in the Premiership. Though he didn’t play in the tests, his inclusion remains one of the more unexpected Lions moments.
My Lions 2025 Wild Cards.
6) Jack Willis.
Although Jack Willis should be a sure thing solely on the calibre of rugby he’s been playing. What makes him a wildcard is his lack of international experience. Despite this, Willis is considered one of the top jacklers in the Northern Hemisphere. His exceptional skills in winning turnovers, hindering the opposing team’s ball movement, and drawing penalties are outstanding. He not only disrupts play but also exerts control over rucks. Since relocating to Toulouse following the dissolution of Wasps, he has continued to excel—if anything, he has elevated his performance. Competing in the Top 14, known for its physicality and tactical complexity, has further refined his skills. He is now a regular starter and occasional captain on a world-class team, frequently surpassing the performance of French internationals. 2025 could be his moment. He’s entering his prime (he’ll be 28), experienced but still full of fire. With injury setbacks behind him, and consistent form in Europe, he looks battle-hardened and tour-ready.
5) Tom Jordan
Jordan has become Glasgow’s go-to 10, and it’s not just because he’s steady—he’s clever, calm under pressure, and makes good reads in attack and defense. For a Lions tour, you want a fly-half who can control territory, adapt to the pace, and handle chaos. That’s in his toolkit. He’s played a lot at inside centre, which gives the Lions coaches tactical options. Want to bring on a second playmaker or cover injuries mid-game? Jordan can slot in seamlessly. He’s like a budget Farrell in that regard—but younger and less scarred by World
Cup trauma. He’s still relatively under the radar, but that’s changing. If he finishes this season strong and gets a summer tour cap for Scotland, he could easily explode into the wider Lions convo.
4) Kyle Steyn
He’s Glasgow’s captain for a reason. Steyn brings serious leadership quality and professionalism, which is gold in a Lions environment. When you’ve got a squad of alphas and egos, having someone who just gets on with it and leads by example is a huge plus. Steyn exemplifies reliability. Whenever he dons the Scotland jersey, he consistently performs at a high level—demonstrating a strong work ethic, making no mistakes, providing robust defense, and occasionally contributing with a crucial try or line break. He resembles a premier utility back in rugby, possessing the focus of a specialist. He is seldom outmaneuvered defensively, even when facing elite wingers. He is secure when receiving high balls and has a keen ability to anticipate kicks, which is particularly valuable during a Lions tour.
3) Blair Murray
Ooooh, now we’re into serious bolter territory. Blair Murray—if you’re backing him for a Lions tour, you’re not just picking on form, you’re betting on raw talent, upside, and timing. And honestly? There’s a real argument to be made. Should he maintain his present performance throughout the remainder of the season and into 2025, his impact will be indisputable. The Lions teams have consistently welcomed players who excel at pivotal times—consider Elliot Daly in 2017, Josh Adams in 2021, or Tommy Bowe in 2009. He’s got a natural sense of when to pop up in space. Murray’s support lines are clinical—he’s rarely flat-footed, and he’s always looking for the next break. That kind of instinctive awareness is priceless on tour when chaos reigns and opportunities are fleeting.
2) Owen Farrell
A Lot of debate surrounds the 10 jersey. Russell didn’t perform for Scotland during the Six Nations, Pretegast is a young and relatively untested talent, similar to England’s Finn Smith. Furthermore, Marcus Smith has played most of his test rugby at fullback. Whether you love him or loathe him, you can’t ignore Owen Farrell; he is a cold-blooded competitor. He thrives when the pressure is cranked up to 11. Lions Tests are not about flair and chaos—they’re about precision, control, and nerve. Farrell brings all of that. He kicked the Lions to a series
win in 2017 and played a key role again in 2021. He has won 3 European titles and 6 Premierships with Saracens. Farrell has over 100 England caps and has already been on three Lions tours. On a brutal, high-pressure campaign like the Lions, that kind of experience is gold dust. Even if he doesn’t start, he’s a brilliant squad leader, motivator, and ice-cold bench option. He would be one of the most respected figures in the squad room—regardless of public opinion. Not to mention his Dad is the coach…
1) Henry Pollock
Henry Pollock as a Lions bolter? It’s bold, but it’s got teeth. Let’s break down why this teenage terror from Northampton could be the next breakout star to sneak onto the 2025 Lions tour. Pollock exhibits a level of play that suggests he is unaware of his status as a teenager, and this is advantageous. He approaches the game without hesitation, embraces physical confrontations, and already appears to be at home in senior Premiership rugby. His innate swagger and confidence are qualities that cannot be taught. He’s being touted as England’s next great openside for a reason—his ability over the ball is elite. Pollock is leading the Champions Cup in turnovers won by a landslide. Quick to the jackal, strong in contact, and disruptive as hell. Even at a young age, he’s a genuine turnover threat. The Lions love a bolter who comes from the clouds and smashes the door down. Think of Sam Simmonds in 2021. He doesn’t need to be a Test starter. But he could be an incredible
midweek spark, a training ground standout, and an energetic, fearless cover option at 7. Farrell has always valued attitude and impact, and Pollock oozes both.
