BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 2025 TEAM PREDICTED BY VIEWERS | Vote Results!

[@theexhibitionguy4643]

Great pod. Really enjoyed this. Keep up the great work!

[@johngarveyire]

Good fun, still got some time to go, Hansen will be back and go up the rankings, Captain? Finn? , surprised POM doesnt pop up somewhere, I think some close decisions will be decided on bringing some beef/enforcers. I think the Lions will do it.

[@ThomasBarthoulot]

Have people completely forgotten about Mack Hansen just because he was out of the 6 Nations ?

[@Demondoink1]

Or maybe there are just better wingers than him? You could say the exact same about Darcy Graham. Ireland are the best team, but it doesn’t mean that individually every player they have is the best of the home nations.

[@barrydunne8096]

I think he'd get in there if it wasn't for Duhan the tripod.

[@Coverdrive50]

I’m always so confused by the amount of people that just go for the Ireland front row. Ireland are an amazing team BUT, they aren’t actually a massively dominant scrummaging side. Joe Schmidt would look at the Ireland/Leinster front row as a potential area to gain an edge over the lions at scrum time

[@johnmc3862]

They are all in the Farrell system which is a big plus. Cant argue with Sheehan.

[@timslade5808]

Totally agree, we haven’t a dominant scrum against most of the top tier teams in years. Problem is Genge isn’t that much better than Porter and neither is Schoeman. Could be an argument for Fagerson over Furlong but Taidgh is better in the loose. No argument over hooker surely?

[@amantedellopera1681]

Ireland had the second heaviest pack at world cup and heaviest/biggest back row

[@Frankabagnale33]

They can be hit and miss, that’s true. Especially Porter.

[@FR-je9bw]

Correct. Surely we have a better scrummaging tighthead out there than Furlong who is living on past glories.

[@josephharrington7129]

That was really fun. Surprised the Irish team features so much in the starting 15 (am Ireland supporter). But hard to argue. Mostly other nations have not had prominent players, esp in the front row. Back row looks awesome with so many good options. I am most excited by Russell/Aki/Tuipulotu myself as a combo. Would be a nightmare to defend against. Let’s see what another 12 months delivers.

[@Demondoink1]

Tuipulotu tends to play at 12. So you’d have to shift Aki to 13 or play Tuipulotu there. He’s such a good centre though. Scotland lack quality in certain areas (especially the forwards) but imo our depth in the centres is insane. Redpath and McDowall are really good too, but can hardly get a sniff due to the Tuipulotu/Jones partnership.

[@oinkanddiefreakman]

11 Irish 2 English and 2 Scottish. Which Lions XV has had the most players from one nation? Has it ever been just 2 nations represented? Tried googling but got nowhere 😅

[@Karma-qt4ji]

Put another way... 8 Irish, 3 New Zealand, 2 English, 1 Scottish and 1 South African. That makes it 24 years since the last home grown team was selected. Kind of defeats the object

[@somersetfan1]

You'd think 2001, when England were pretty dominant, but it was still only 8

[@barrydunne8096]

I think 12 Welsh started the 3rd test in 2013, or maybe was 10. I should know as I was there but just remember being so disgusted that BOD was dropped.

[@lapisstone3243]

Couple of British couple of Irish and Southern hemisphere lions!

[@JosephFallon]

So much fun - love the format ! Would be a surprise if AF doesn't bring Hansen over FW

[@flatulentpaul]

4. Itoje 5. McCarthy 6. Beirne 7.Doris 8.Earl is the most balanced loose 5 for me. VdF well off his wpoty form at the moment

[@richcastle6796]

Martin over McCarthy for me but agree otherwise

[@harryjudge8153]

Earl at 7 doris 8 tbh

[@barryryan14]

Berine has played 6 twice in 5 years for club, country, and including the Lion's. He's played 100s of games at lock. He said he's a lock. Just because he can play there and there's a narrative about it doenst mean he should. He should be the 1st pick at lock for the Lion's.

[@GeorgeChrist-z8u]

That's the thing ..Next 6N none of those may be on top of game . .More Scottish and Welsh , who lost 20 players recently. And a few of their better players like Jac Morgan , Liam Williams.Lake etc to help , Ireland best win GS next season and England close 2nd . Or thar team is miles off . I suppose when you recruit heavily from southern hemisphere with no blood connection to country , maybe BL tours will be renamed Britain Ireland and Southern hemisphere baas baas

[@countycricklewood]

Itoje????? 😅

[@adrianhall4547]

Decent side, but I always think that it's better to pick teams with balanced "units". The back row has worked out well but the locks are a bit off. I'd prefer a mobile lock (Itoje or Beirne) with one of the heavies to start. Beirne is the better player but I'd start with the better lineout man (Itoje ? )and have the other on the bench.

[@paulb4298]

Yeah I'm sure the team will be picked on balance and combinations. But I don't think to you can venture to far from that team

[@Mikeup104]

Cant wait to watch the IRISH and british lions tour. Should be a o'hellava time

[@SMacCuUladh]

Mack Hansen is low on the pick list here probably because he was injured and didn't feature in the 6N this year so out of people's minds.

[@Demondoink1]

Exact same with Darcy Graham then. He was in insane form before his injury and was one of, if not Scotlands best player.

[@davidwalker2402]

Think this will change after the 6 nations , but all in all looks like a good enough team to beat the aussies .

[@rhymeocerous]

Tadhg Beirne is basically an all round brilliant rugby player

[@daviddeane]

9 from one club in the starting 15? I guess Bath in in the 90's of Llanelli in the 70's were the only other clubs to get even close to that level of domination. Leinster have so many competitive advantages.

[@rustyfeatherstone93]

Generally a very good squad - don't think there can be too many complaints. Guaranteed that this won't even he half right by the time of the first test though!

[@Zveebo]

This is very funny 8 months on 😂 The assumption people had that Ireland and England would totally dominate. So complacent lol The actual Lions team won’t look anything like this.

[@AustinLambe-t5j]

Leinster Lions?

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

I suspect that in the end there will not be 11 Irish guys. Amazing that 10 of those are from Leinster. Has one club ever had more than five in a starting Lions XV.Partly to have a degree of balance, partly because I expect a few more England players and partly because some will be injured.

[@corny165]

Some of the English lads will properly step into the limelight in the next 12 months too. I'm thinking Martin and Feyi-Waboso.

[@JohnWilliams-fk3hb]

How Jack Willis is not mentioned at 7 for me is criminal. He's by far the best 7 in the NH right now. Earl 6 Willis 7 Doris 8

[@amantedellopera1681]

Your joking,van de flier is easily the best,time and time again he never lets either leinster or ireland down,never injured and can and ofte plays all 80 mins

[@Foxtonked]

English bias very strong here (Im english)

[@patrickchilds2987]

Bias 😂😂 Earl and Itoje? Please explain

[@amantedellopera1681]

Its not your fault 😅😅😅😅

[@bolton121]

It will be interesting to see if Farell is brave enough to pick most of the Irish team. I think he'll try and limit himself to 9 or so

[@ColmOConnor1]

9 Leinster players in the starting 15. That would be some kind of record, plus Beirne, who was also Leinster academy (messed up losing that one)

[@gerwynmiller]

Choosing a flanker is always hard but you have to have Tommy reffell

[@Simwil33]

I can assure you that you don't

[@eamonlyons8069]

Squad yes but XXIII No.

[@flatulentpaul]

Genge not Lions standard

[@neillfotheringham211]

Irish front row,Beirne and a.n.other 2nd row(maybe Itoje on bench).VDF at 7,Doris must be 8,so still need a 6. 9,10,11,12 all fine. I would go Jones 13. VDM at 14 a possible but not set in stone. And yes Keenan 15. Schoeman and Fagerson on bench. And please,no Farrell on this tour(too many better options)

[@dublin7]

In all honesty the above list is close to a carbon copy of who I'd bring on tour. I have 17 Irish, 10 English, 7 Scots and 3 Welsh - 37 Total. LH: Andrew Porter (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) HKR: Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Dewi Lake (Wales) TH: Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), Archie Griffin (Wales) LK Maro Itoje ( England), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), George Martin (England), James Ryan (Ireland), Will Rowlands (Wales) BS FLKR Courtney Lawes (England), Jack Conan (Ireland) OS FLKR Josh Van Der Flier (Ireland), Jack Willis (England) N8 Caelan Doris (c) (Ireland), Ben Earl ( England) SH Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Alex Mitchell (England), Conor Murray (Ireland) FH Finn Russell (Scotland), Owen Farrell (England), Jack Crowley (Ireland) LW James Lowe (Ireland), Duhan Van Der Merve (Scotland) IC Bundee Aki (Ireland), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) OC Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Huw Jones (Scotland) RW Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England), Mack Hansen (Ireland) FB Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)

[@grahammusto7759]

Cannot really argue with the votes. Ireland deserve a strong representation as they have been a settled team. However, we all know someone on this list is going to miss out due to injuries. Sad but true.

[@paulb4298]

I agree with all of it tbh. A lot of lads are nailed on tbf

[@JohnWilliams-fk3hb]

Doris my captain and that side isnt far away. Arguments dor McCarthy,M smith ,Tuiplolutu Blair kinghorn and thats about it. Plus Jack wills at 7

[@Garryo1777]

Irish squad with a few token other nations players to play mid week games.A few English players only playing in France will make the team.

[@RobbieTaylor-f8q]

I like that team.

[@paulb4298]

Finn russell is such a legend. Hes world class wirh the attitude of a teenager 🤣

[@creekyknee]

And the intelligence of a baby....

[@DavidParry-zq6sl]

Jack Willis deserves a place and at 10 give me Crowley on the bench he can cover 15

[@EdwardCorry]

So can Marcus Smith

[@ronnyjohnson739]

I would take that team to oz with a lot of confidence in a 3-0 white wash

[@surge8601]

obviously haven't seen aus since the rwc, but I'd take the current Welsh side for a 3-0 white wash.

[@unleashedmystery]

Irelands squad just changed to red Jerseys for 2025

[@FJM992]

Elliot Daly getting 0.1% for a wing spot, yet Borthwick keeps picking him 😂

[@Demondoink1]

He has the remaining 99.9% confidence in him 😅

[@AllInTheGame01]

Wouldn't rule out Anthony Watson as a starting or bench Back 3 option in a year's time!

[@rustyfeatherstone93]

the best all round winger in B&I in the professional era.

[@Demondoink1]

Maybe a bench option as he can cover a few positions but there are at least five better wingers than him and several better full backs. I’d imagine he would be third choice for England at full back (behind Furbank/Steward). Then you add in Keenan and Kinghorn in to the equation. So he’s probably fifth choice at best at fullback. On the wing then Lowe, Hansen, VDM, Graham and (by then) Feyi-Waboso are ahead of him. All of those guys are out and our wingers too- where as Watson is between a winger and a fullback.

[@RazorMouth]

Can we change the name to the Irish and British Lions? 👀🤣

[@justinstephenson9360]

That was fun. A few changes I would make Dan will turn out to be a better choice at hooker in a years time but he does need that extra year Blindside flanker is interesting because it depends what you want. I always like having a tall blindside who can act as a genuine 3rd line out threat. IMO Itoje will play there with Martin going into second row but both Baird and Doris are great options and if Lawes is still playing at the necessary standard he would beat both out. Alternatively if you have a 7 or 8 who is also a line out threat then maybe going for a more dynamic blindside is a better combo - step forward Earl. Openside really depends on how Tom Curry comes back from injury. If he is back to his best he plays and because he is real line out pest that gives more options to change the back row. If not then Morgan was a standout in a poor Welsh team (pretty much the only Welsh player to get a sniff of being in Lions squad although there are some youngster for whom this is a tour too early) Personally I do not trust Russell at FH, if the pack is struggling he tries too hard. I suspect Farrell will get the nod but I really like the look of both Crowley and Finn Smith. Other than that I think the voters were very astute

[@bernieob9577]

Farrell Russell on the bench

[@Demondoink1]

Finn is better than Farrell in literally every facet of the game- attack, defence, passing, kicking from hand and probably even dead ball kicking now (or at least it’s closest in this area). The only edge you can give to Farrell is that he’s won more trophies than Russell, but in terms of who is better than Russell wins in pretty much every area.

[@silvercfox7366]

Looks spot on to me 😊

[@finlaybarlow7711]

definitely a majority English vote

[@Johan-rg3vo]

Can't have lions test team with no Welsh ..

[@boluadebowale7341]

I mean there is zero you would acctually consider good enough, maybe as training depth, but not a single one of them either by their current playing standard are anywhere near the 23 if we want to win the series.

[@HibeeMcbee]

We had enough years with no Scots and nobody cared. The Welsh aren’t good enough.

[@barryryan14]

You can if other players are better. Wales are at a historic low so I get why there will likely be no Welsh in the starting 15.

[@corny165]

No Warren Gatland now so...

[@Demondoink1]

Why not? Scotland barely got a player in the squad for years cos we were crap, now it’s Wales turn. Not one of their players would get near the starting 15.

[@StopTheRot]

Clearly just us English voting for this one! Mitchell ahead of White and Tomos Williams?!!!

[@joeboonmusic4004]

Hardly, considering how many Irish players there are... and I'd have Mitchell over Williams for sure, your'e right about White though.

[@raffaeletroiano1871]

The Irish and Irish lions

[@nickrad6966]

The Irish and southern hemisphere mercenary Lions

[@andrewharris1837]

No surprises there.we al just done Farrell's job for him😅

[@Smudger_83.]

ollie Lawrence

[@Driver2616]

Dark horse for the number 10 jersey, Ross Byrne. Watch this space…!

[@pr3nd0]

I’d play Marcus Smith over Byrne

[@Johan-rg3vo]

Doris is 8 not 6

[@corny165]

I'd make room for him and Earl. They're both magnificent.

[@misterkunnyfunt]

Essientially the ireland team with a couple of cameos. Hard to argue with it.

[@Stephno86]

I know there is a lot of Irish in it already...but i would have McCarthy over Itoje...

[@James-ih4gz]

Probably at best be only two or 3 welsh a lot of Irish English ane few Scots. Scotland are unproven when it comes to winning championships internationally they haven't won anything significant since 1999. The Calcutta cup is great all that but doesn't have I think the importance a championship win or grand slam win would have. If Scotland won the six nations this year then I could see a pile of Scots get in until then I think be majority english and Irish with few Scots and Welsh

[@smudgersmith2650]

I think Courtney will be the number 6 and also as captain, Tommy Freeman will also go.

[@Damomasts]

Henshaw isn't a 13, he's much better at 12. Good to come off the bench. DvDM is dogshit, IFW is far more effective. That's the only change I'd make.

[@Demondoink1]

Haha yeah I’m sure you can accurately judge a guy based off four appearances for his country and one try 😂😂 If you wanna go down that route, he has scored in 25% of his international matches, and VDM has scored in 66% of his (with a much bigger sample size).

[@julian221103]

Not a Taff to be seen, and I don't think they could argue with that!

[@surge8601]

Tomos Williams, Jac Morgan (if he gets his RWC form), Tommy Reffell. Maybe Wainwright. That's it, honestly.

[@amantedellopera1681]

Farell should be nowhere near that team,a yellow/red card machine.im irish fan but id have smith ahead of him,its not the springboks or all blacks we are playing

[@davidwalker2402]

Nah smith will never be the player Farrell is I think this was seen a couple of weeks ago when Farrell wiped the floor with him. Lions are tough and smith is weak in many departments Fiji just ran straight over him…

[@patrickchilds2987]

Whilst it is extremely unlikely that Farrell will tour bases on that he wouldn't have played any international rugby That would be the reason for not selecting him rather than this view of his as a card machine. Certainly I don't think Farrell would be 1st or possibly 2nd choise #10 but if he were to go I think he would be an asset as cover but mainly as a squad member. Listening to how the previous lions players spoke of him and his contribution in the last tour as part of yhe leadership group and also in how he helped prepare the test sides when he wasn't playing. Again I don't think he will tour but I would pleasantly surprised if he did

[@dulls8475]

15 Ben Earls for me.

[@elliotharris3965]

unstoppable

[@countycricklewood]

Should be Irish/Scottish led

[@timetherington-judge3719]

Ben Earl on the bench? That would be a crime

[@MACCA0405]

BEN EARLE ON THE TOUR WOULD BE A CRIME

[@fin-ed6oj]

Huw Jones is twice the player that Garry Ringrose is

[@Demondoink1]

Yep. Just a case of picking whoever players for the better team. Same with Porter ahead of Schoeman.

[@DaSkonk]

He is in his eye, give over!

[@Stevenbfg]

Yet Ringrose has outplayed him every time they came face to face LMAO.

[@rjrrjrrjr23]

Morgan looks to have hugely benefitted from missing the 6 Nations - doubt he could have done any better than Reffell did. Morgan is promising but neither he nor Tommy Turnover come close to the Test 23 and either lucky to even be on the tour for me especially with the likes of Tom Curry and Jack Wills back in the picture

[@barrydunne8096]

I think I'd go Doris, Earl and Conan in my back row. And probably Henshaw over Ringrose at 13. Other than that I'd agree with the team.

[@davidlaffan8887]

As long as it starts with Peter O Mahoney as Captain

[@Stevenbfg]

POM was basically dropped from the 2nd test against South Africa. His day is done I think.

[@amantedellopera1681]

😅😅😅😅not a hope

[@billybones6137]

That was my team except for Martin at 6.

[@barrydunne8096]

Poor Wales 😏🤪🤣

[@imac9789]

Itoje is a penalty machine won't be in the running in a year. Fagerson on the bench likewise an absolute liability

[@Demondoink1]

Same with Andrew Porter at prop then?

[@patrickchilds2987]

Perhaps 3 years ago he was giving away penalty's. Certainly not this year or last year. Are you using game stats or guessing ? Ironically I remember some posters saying that before the last lions tour and he was one of the stars. Is your penalty count your main criteria for selection ? Andrew Porter had one of the highest penalty counts in the 6 Nations so are you excluding him from the Lions on that basis despite probably being the best loose head available?

[@johnstrac]

Itoje's a show pony.

[@dashingeduardosuarez]

I was surprised by this too. Thought Baird was the better choice.

[@patrickchilds2987]

Love reading when some fans will use their emotional feeling to gauge the performance and imact of an elite rugby player like Itoje and proclaim his as a show pony thinking that over rules stats and pact What is controversial about selecting Itoje ? An experienced and back in playing form. His lineoit stats are excellent as is his work in the loose and defence. Like Bernie his disruption and jackling is excellent. Bernie is also an excellent player and I would be happy with either. Is one noticeably ahead of the other , without stats it is hard to compare. In the last game they met you could argue Itoje dominated. Ultimately it will be Andy Farrell and his team who will Ultimately select which players tours and thankfully they will judge what the players offer rather than who some fans prefer

[@LindsayBest]

I wouldn't even take Russell he is more trouble than he is worth. Scotland have there best team for years but always fail to deliver when it matters and l think Russell is part of the problem.

[@creekyknee]

Agreed.

[@ElBauldo64]

You don't watch a lot of rugby then?

[@GeorgeChrist-z8u]

Why bother . In 2012 for 2013 tour. Everybody had majority English . Woodward I think had all Eng /Ire with only 2 or 3 Welsh and zero Scots in 15. FF 2013 6 Nations and it.changed ..tommy Refell Wainwright and if playing as in world cup Jac Morgan ...the most destructive hooked from bench ould be Dewi Lake . .BUT as a follower of lion tours since 77 . I don't know where lions can get new fans from as . Ireland and England have many Southern hemisphere players . .with zero UK bloodline . I stopped leaving for tours when Ben Te'o toured. .started getting ridiculous. Vunipola , Faletau etc who were born in SH but schooled in UK.. .we're a diff thing all together...Te' o landed , posed in IRELAND shirt then played for England . Jesus possibility of starting more player with no Britain or Ireland qualification. Then next tour could change nations and play for S Africa etc against lions. .I think 1 player from each 4 home nations, without strong bloodline to BI or Ire should be maximum. And good bet those 4 would be in test 15 . So even then over a quarter of team will be SH players . Possibility of resembling SH baas baas , rather than lions going on tours. .real possibility of being outnumbered by foreign born than home

[@philmus1]

Rubbish, some really one eyed selections

[@marktucker7976]

Lawrence at 13 Ringrose not even in the Irish side

[@CaptainFantastic-m3r]

For now. Injuries and fitness issues. Would agree that Lawrence at 13 would be epic. That man is an absolute menace and I feel is so underrated.

[@DaSkonk]

Only because he was injured. Otherwise, he usually starts and runs the defence. He's a Rolls-Royce of a player and should definitely be on that tour and in that team, if fit.

[@daireharlin181]

Russel shouldnt be on the team. Supposedly one of the best 10s ever. He has won nothing. Too focused on himself

[@Demondoink1]

Look at Baths improvement this season and then reconsider your position. He hasn’t won much cos he plays for Scotland. It’s like when Parisse was at Italy- a world class player in a poor team. Granted Scotland are a bit better than that Italian side, but they are still not on the same level as the likes of Ireland and France.

[@creekyknee]

Too right, he is simply not clever or good enough.

[@THEMRblackboy7thst]

ben earl for me is a number 8. Strong, agile, quick, powefull

[@maryobrien6840]

Dorris for Captain!💪