Selecting my British and Irish Lions squad - POST RWC!!

#rugbyworldcup #rugbyworldcup2023 #Britishandirishlions
The Rugby World Cup might be over but that doesn't mean we can't look forward to the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2025!
But, if the tour started tomorrow, who would make your squad!?

[@sambaldwin309]

As an Englishmen, Mack Hansen is hands down one of the best wingers on the planet. A joke he's not in there i'm afraid!

[@peasant5612]

😂

[@WhyDnaNews]

I know I was so surprised not to see him there

[@johniecuffe806]

As an Irishman, Henry Arundel would be my dark horse

[@Paul55108]

As a Scotsman Rees- Zammit probably won’t make it 😂

[@dan15000]

Basically the Ireland team plus Finn Russell

[@Coverdrive50]

I think LRZ has to go away and add a lot more to his game. He’s super fast and that counts for a lot but as soon as he’s playing an elite team his deficiencies show themselves. He isn’t physical in the contact, accepts tackles too readily, tucks the ball under his armpit rather than making pass/offload options available to him. Id have hansen ahead of him. I’d even take a chance on the likes of dyer and Arundell ahead of him as they seem to have a more complete game to go with the pace

[@jackoneill7610]

How on Earth has Mack Hansen not made it in here? One of the very best players in the world.

[@craig6520]

You should do another video having a go at selecting what you think would be the Lions first choice 15 too! That would be interesting. I agree with a lot of your selections although I would definitely take Ben White in the squad. I rate him highly. I also think Hansen would be a must currently. His form has been awesome. As an Irish fan, I think Jac Morgan probably has the edge over Van Der Flier this season. Van Der Flier ia still great but his form has dropped a bit compared to last season while Morgan has been easily the best Welsh player. I'd be interested to see an Earl, Morgan, and Doris back row in one of the games. Good attempt at selection.

[@johnsteading8610]

What is this obsession with Itoje? He’s way down the pecking order, has been for a couple of years now.

[@Duggy1702]

Whilst I agree his form was poor in 2022, he was absolutely brilliant on the Lions Tour in South Africa (even a Welsh analyst complimented him at the time) and has had a superb tournament. He confirmed he was struggling with his health last year and that seems to have impacted his form. Definitely on his way back up.

[@patrickchilds2987]

@@hawthornflowertree Why is youth seemingly your main criteria ? I see the Lions as an elite touring side and don’t see development as a criteria for selection

[@patrickchilds2987]

@@hawthornflowertree A marketing sham '? How ? Still doesn't explain why you think it's suddenly a development side ?

[@Paul55108]

Yip wouldn’t have itoje near the start team on current form, again a bit of a liability

[@Paul55108]

There is a bit of English bias based on the six nations so far …. Don’t think there should be as many English players as you have in the squad based on form

[@frederickstapleton534]

Kelleher over George any day of the week, and where’s Mack Hansen?

[@tomdocherty3755]

In the Australian team!

[@victordastile5204]

​@@tomdocherty3755😂😂😂

[@Duggy1702]

Hansen should be there for sure, but I really struggle with Kelleher over George. He was appalling against South Africa, and almost cost Ireland the game. Whilst I concede George also had his slip ups against South Africa, he was immense in every other aspect and our scrums (Sinker and Genge) cost us the game. George has a much better rugby mind (don't know how else to phrase it), and better handling technique.

[@Waywind420]

Could just pick the entire Irish squad. They'd already be a cohesive playing group who know how to operate together, and they're far superior to whatever the Wallabies have right now and probably what the wallabies will have by 2025

[@Dihedrals]

Think the idea of the lions is lost on you mate 🤣

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@Dihedrals He's Irish. The idea of international rugby is lost on them. When they toured NZ last year, the team just stayed at their moms' houses.

[@Waywind420]

@@Karma-qt4ji I'm Australian 😐

[@Waywind420]

@@Dihedrals Why risk throwing together a collection of guys from 4 different nation states, when you can just pick an entity that has proven itself to be high performing (Ireland). I'd give Ireland a 90% chance of winning the series as it currently stands.

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@Waywind420 Whoops. My bad.

[@ajjs8869]

Great squad. A few points: Henderson will be 34 by then and lots of miles on the clock. Peter O'Mahony will likely retire after the coming 6 nations; Ryan Baird is fantastic 6/5 hybrid option. Matt Fagerson is a brilliant 8 and has you only have Doris and Earl (who I think is a better 6) you'd need him. Aki will be 35 and too old, maybe Henshaw instead. Defo missing Mack Hansen! Covers wing and fullback and 10 at a push. Liam Williams, at 34, will be too old or retired.

[@albertvanlingen7590]

Just send the Wales team.....its only against Australia remember 😂😂😂

[@albertvanlingen7590]

@@hawthornflowertree that could work too

[@davidheaney4651]

I believe your selection is on the money. I'like to think, as an 82 year old irishman, that objectivity is my middle name. All the best for you and your programme. My first ever coming across it.

[@dirkvoltaar]

This was a fun video! It’s going to be fascinating to see how the teams go over the next couple of years!

[@TheIrishYoshi]

Starting XV: 1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Tadhg Beirne 5. James Ryan 6. Caelan Doris 7. Jac Morgan 8. Ben Earl 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 10. Finn Russell 11. Duhan Van Der Merve 12. Bundee Aki 13. Garry Ringrose 14. Mack Hansen 15. Hugo Keenan

[@nickrad6966]

Playing two kiwis, an Aussie and South African is embarrassing

[@ExiledDave]

Mack Hansen is in there, not a shadow of doubt!

[@harlequinsforlife]

no way

[@tiernanmercer3481]

Has to be can come off the wing as a 2nd playmaker and he gets so busy think it would have to be Adams dropped

[@jameswyatt4443]

He’s not better than any of the wingers he named in this video.

[@jameswyatt4443]

@@tiernanmercer34812nd playmaker? You saw someone say that in a video and you’re really running with it. If Mack Hansen is your second playmaker, you’re in trouble. Ireland don’t have system where you can say anyone is the second playmaker, everyone is a playmaker in reality.

[@tiernanmercer3481]

@@jameswyatt4443 silky passer quick hands meandering runs great at finding space defence he's solid more than what can be said for alot of those wingers and if the 10 is trapped under the ruck he can come in off the wing he brings alot more than Adams

[@business3867]

The Wallabies really need to get their shit together.

[@sakabula2357]

Like picking a coach...baby steps...

[@victordastile5204]

Won't happen anytime soon. B&I Lions should just tour New Zealand instead of Australia.

[@kb101ist]

NGL as a saffer the lions are gonna freaking smash those aussies, austrailia is dreadful

[@dollydollydolly7277]

keep up the great work sir ALFRED GOOD SELECTION LETS SEE HOW ITS GOES! I THINK THE COACH OF THE BRITISH AND RISH LIONS WILL BE LOOKING AT THOSE PLAYERS ALSO 👌

[@JoburgJoller-e9o]

Test starting XV will probably have some key country combos, familiarity helps in certain positions

[@Waywind420]

100% I've been saying this for a long time Familiarity and cohesion is better than pure talent. The game is systematic

[@JoburgJoller-e9o]

@@hawthornflowertree Yes Australia a shambles at the moment but no doubt they'll be up for it at home. Bit of an ambulance job for the new coach

[@JoburgJoller-e9o]

@@hawthornflowertree hehe, hey be careful what you wish for 😂. Someone like Eddie won't be afraid to trim so egos.....

[@fraserposford144]

Reckon some of your picks will be retired/out of favour come 2025, like Peter O'Mahony and Liam Williams. George Turner for Dewi Lake Rory Darge for Peter O'Mahony Ben White for Alex Mitchell Blair Kinghorn for Liam Williams. Scots deserve more representation if they keep up their development over the past few years.

[@jameswyatt4443]

They’re playing Australia, it doesn’t matter who they pick.

[@nathanaelponsonby5195]

Great vid. No mention of mack hansen though?

[@alfredreynolds5]

Yeah definitely one of the big omissions! Preferred the other options.

[@nathanaelponsonby5195]

@@alfredreynolds5 I actually think I agree. Definitely controversial though!

[@efeturi100]

Woah! Mack has to be in there

[@Starcutieexplotion]

Cant argue much with your selection. Great team. However, I think it could be improved by adding George Ford, at 10 or 12, as he seemed in immense form at the World Cup before being restricted to the bench. Additionally, Mack Hansen has to be there and probably Tomos Williams who had a great World Cup at scrumhalf for Wales.

[@Keeks749]

Blair Kinghorn could get in ahead of Williams or Steward, he's been showing great ability recently, especially since they stopped trying to Carbery him into the 10 jersey

[@CharlieMain-q9y]

I would only select Owen Farrell if he was the captain and I intended to play kick and chase rugby . With the talent available to the Lions team and Andy Farrell / Gregor Townend perhaps being the coach they will play an exciting style of rugby so I am wondering if he will be on the plane

[@richardfincham7744]

They can pick anyone, Australia are absolutely hopeless. Unless something cataclysmic happens they won't lose a game.

[@rowan_8755]

Tuipolotu is great but henshaw might fell hard done buy

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

What about Joe McCarthy?

[@A-world-of-My-Own]

And the Coach? Farrell??

[@A-world-of-My-Own]

@@hawthornflowertree No1 ranking, and consistency? My be interesting to see what Townend could do with quality player, But not in a Lions tour.

[@RandomRCTV]

its 2 years away !

[@garethmckee5927]

I know he is out of favour at present, but Kieran Hardy would be on my plane.

[@danielf4503]

Good centres

[@06alepea1]

Turner for George. Darge/Underhill for O'Mahoney. Quirke for Davies. Hansen for Lowe. Kinghorn for Williams.

[@drunkenrockstar23]

Is this a comedy sketch English in the team 😂🤦🏼‍♂️🙌🏻

[@Keeks749]

Leaving out Ronan Kelleher in the Hookers? Risky business

[@Keeks749]

Possibility of Ben Healy forcing his way into this squad over the next wee while

[@frederickstapleton534]

Really? He wasn’t up to much yesterday against Leinster

[@DM-rp9ik]

He can't get into the Ireland squad he can't make Munsters starting 15, but he's going to play for the Lions?

[@johncahalane7327]

Perhaps with Tony Butler showing up now for Munster, Ben Healy would now have difficulty getting in Rowntree's squad with or without Joey Carbery being injured, he was dreadful in the RDS in Saturday, he needs lots of time behind Finn Russell, he made the correct decision to head to Scotland, he is miles behind the post Sexton No 10s even in Ireland

[@DM-rp9ik]

If John Ryan ( the Munster tight head ) was Welsh, i believe he would have played onnat least two Lions tours. Its weird how average enough Welsh and some English players seem almost guaranteed to go on lions tours dispite being meh.

[@somenamethatdoesntmatter]

such a good comment you had to say it twice. Look at the six nations victories over the last 8 years. supposed rugby fans have very short memories indeed.

[@DM-rp9ik]

@thewelts Wales have a poor enough record against Ireland in the last 8 years. Even 2021 was an outlying result with the red card. My point is John Ryan would start for Wales and by extension, get a place in a lions squad.

[@rushdimagiet9172]

1. Porter 2. Sheehan 3. Furlong 4. Itoje 5. Henderson 6. Lawes 7. Morgan 8. Doris 9. Gibson-Park 10. Farrell 11. van der Merwe 12. Aki 13. Ringrose 14. Hansen 15. Keenan 16. George 17. Schoeman 18. Bealham 19. Ryan 20. van der Flier 21. Price 22. Russell 23. Henshaw

[@cornishpasty6926]

Russell over Owen any day of the week

[@craig6520]

Think I would have to go Russell over Farrell. I'd also start both James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne over Henderson.

[@rowan_8755]

Doris is in the dream team at 6

[@Wide-eye]

4 and 5 Beirne and Ryan and 10 Finn

[@harlequinsforlife]

even a full england or welsh side could beat australia

[@sakabula2357]

Cambridge 1st team can beat Australia...have they even named a new coach yet?? Lost all respect for Eddie..Buggered England first..then buggered Australia..and now buggered off smiling on his way to bugger Japan..Time to go Eddie..

[@Charlie-p7r7n]

This 2025 tour will be a joke, it will be the last tour of Australia. After the wallabies smashing, the ARU will axe the Australian tour for the future. If you want the tour to survive in Australia you can’t pick the best UK and Irish players, the tour isn’t even been talked about down here people don’t care they are more interested in AFL, league and cricket. Most of the audience next year will be lions fans I guarantee that, which will push the ARU to cancel the series in Australia altogether because it shows Australians don’t care.

[@ritchiebirnie6124]

Just a quick question...are you English ha

[@Keeks749]

SHOCKING LACK OF MACK ATTACK

[@truthseekerreal1]

Arundel

[@TheIrishYoshi]

You're missing Mack Hansen

[@rowan_8755]

i’m english but White>mitchell

[@joeritchie2]

Another English winger I think might need to be considered despite not being selected for the World Cup is Joe Cokanasiga, who has a 100% strike rate in his dozen or so England caps. He’s younger than some of the others you’ve picked, and in two years’ time I suspect with just a bit more form you’d need to give him a shot.

[@OranBurns-r7c]

The worst home nations team would beat Australia. What's the point in sending a lion's team down?

[@allblacks9100]

The wallabies are going to get hammered, 3-0 to the lions .

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

If you are picking a lions team you are not entitled to have an English hat on!

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

@@hawthornflowertree I'm Irish too and there are no arguments. But if you want to pick a Lions team you must leave your national hat at home, and select as a neutral. I well remember the old Irish selection system. There were two selectors each from Munster, Ulster and Leinster and one from Connacht. Absolute disaster. Trade offs etc and the Irish team always suffered. You would wind up with a useless winger from Ulster or a crappy scrum half from Leinster. Never, ever worked. That's why his English hat is inappropriate!

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

@@hawthornflowertree that has nothing to do with what I posted.

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

@@hawthornflowertree excuse me, but he said he had his England hat on, not me. There is no place for any nation's hat when picking a Lions team. That was my point. Full stop.

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

@@hawthornflowertree you are very weird

[@victordastile5204]

Pity aussie rugby is no where near competitive to face the B&I Lions. Just let the ABs host the lions.

[@neilgraham12]

Turner, Fagerson, Dan, Beard, Dempsey, Costello, Henshaw, Hansen, Tompkins, Radwan

[@charlie0rr619]

Blaire kinghorn

[@clyde-x5r3v]

If you have the British lions WHY can't we have a Anzac team

[@somenamethatdoesntmatter]

go arrange it, nothings stopping you. If there is value in it, teams will be happy to take money for it.

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

It's the British and Irish lions. Less of the insults please!

[@michaelmccarthy9411]

@@hawthornflowertree why?

[@marksmith4518]

Easy peasy, ireland and finn rusesel 😂

[@marksmith4518]

@@hawthornflowertree bet you ireland and finn russel would beat the team youre suggesting 😂

[@marksmith4518]

@@hawthornflowertree yeah but i dont really get it. Lions is a showcase of best british/irish talent. Not about rebuiling the english and irish teams?

[@davidbibey3013]

No Farrell or Liam Williams or Stewart for me. Ford, Tompkins plus a full back.

[@Paul55108]

Tom curry is far two unrealisable, gives cards away and seems to just have moneys of silliness Jamie Ritchie is not even one of the best Scottish back rows … missing Rory darge defo

[@edwardtudor4830]

Ford or Anscombe ahead of Farrell.

[@DM-rp9ik]

Lake and George wouldn't be good enough to take the Leinster 16 Jersey off Kelleher, but they somehow skip him for the Lions. Jack Conan can't get the Leinster 8 Jersey, but they accidentally took him, and he started all 3 tests last time. I feel a lot of English Scottish and Welsh players are being put in here on the basis of nothing other than they are an alternative to an Irish player. If you're going for inclusion, fine buy if my life depends on it. im not taking most of them over the Irish player.

[@CptRumcan]

Wow thin at 10

[@JaemanEdwards]

By rights, this team should be full of England players. They carried the hopes of the home nations and very almost made the final. The Irish are past their very best. Wales did well in a competitive pool, and Scotland were a tad disappointing albeit in the hardest pool.

[@mathersdavid5113]

They only played one strong team all tournament- and that was a loss.

[@JaemanEdwards]

@@mathersdavid5113 By one point to the champions. England defended like demons in this tournament. It honestly pains me to praise England. I'm a Kiwi, and beleive me, there is no love lost between NZ and England. I think Ireland have taken the place of the English as most hated by Kiwis. Especially after the utter disrespect of the haka. The haka in the semi final and final were a stark contrast where the honorable French, Argentinian, and South African supporters, payed respect to this 130 year old halowed rugby tradition with deathly silence. They realise the haka is not for them, but for the combatants. That's why Kiwis love these people.

[@DM-rp9ik]

It should be Ireland plus a few. how anyone can seriously stand over the records of England Wales and Scotland over the last few years with them abysmal results like who loses 57 - 10 to France at home or lose to Fiji Georgia and Italy

[@JaemanEdwards]

@@DM-rp9ik Um...2023 Rugby World Cup semi finalists. The pride of the Northern Hemisphere. This is a new era now. With Englands overwhelming playing numbers, the odds would suggest it's only a matter of time before they return to the top of the isles. I'd love to see Scotland and Wales dominate, but their numbers count against them. Only New Zealand is capable of remaining at the top against overwhelming numbers.

[@DM-rp9ik]

@JaemanEdwards I think things with England will unfortunately get worse for a while before they get better.

[@Waywind420]

Now pick an ANZAC team

[@sakabula2357]

Been saying that for years!imagine a Saffa pack with Ardie and a AB backline with Kolbe...unfrigginstopable

[@Waywind420]

​@@sakabula2357 Well ANZAC as far as i'm aware is just New Zealand and Australia But would be even better to have the Springboks players involved. Perhaps a Britain vs Commonwealth game 🤔

[@sakabula2357]

@@Waywind420 Southern Hemisphere team..if they can pick from 4 nations..why can't we?

[@Waywind420]

@@sakabula2357 technically ireland is 2 different nations and the other 3 nations are more like states within a single nation , the United Kingdom. It's a bit confusing 😄and wacky

[@johncahalane7327]

Do you really think an ANZAC team would ever happen? There's mutual loathing in all forms of sport between Kangaroos and Kiwis,who would you pick in a 23 split...honestly, yes there's friction between the English and the Celts but nothing like the schoolyard bully sheepdog and the plucky neighbouring sheep 🐑, with a serious bite in rugby 😂

[@fuadafrika6533]

Hay Alfie. Love the content. Would like to pose a challenge. If you could make a Sothern Hemisphere Lions team (Team from Aus, SA, NZ and Arg), using current squads (regardless of fitness - Marx as example ), who would you pick and who would be the coaching team. Generally there are +- 4 to 6 players per position (25 forwards and 17 backs) - Maybe even include some of the pacific players (Samoa, Tonga and Fiji)

[@Starcutieexplotion]

Good Question. Could pick a matchday 23 lineup irrelevant of injuries etc. Could be: 1: Ox Nche 2: Malcolm Marx 3: Ben Tameifuna 4: Eben Etzebeth 5: Scott Barrett 6: Marcos Kremer 7: Peter Steph Du Toit 8: Ardie Savea 9: Aaron Smith 10: Richie Mounga 11: Kurt-Lee Arendse 12: Damian De Allende 13: Waisea Nayacalevu 14: Will Jordan 15: Emiliano Boffelli Bench: 16: Julian Montoya 17: Tomas Gallo 18: James Slipper 19: Will Skelton 20: Rob Valetini 21: Frank Lomani 22: Jordie Barrett 23: Marika Koroibete

[@Starcutieexplotion]

Southern Hemisphere Lions 😅

[@britishandirishlions]

Interesting picks 👀🦁

[@danielf4503]

Your forwards will cime second by a country mile to the Springbok and/or All Black packs.

[@somenamethatdoesntmatter]

No mercenaries in the lions please, if we cant keep that team in theme, whats value does the lions have? I will get hate for that, I love those players and I don't judge them, their teams or their fanbase for them. But sending lowe, vdm, bundi and hansen as some as suggests just makes a mockery of the lions tour.

[@barryholland8280]

Hansen’s mother is from Cork

[@DM-rp9ik]

Have you seen Lions teams in the past DVDM Ben Teo Aki Vunipola Falito all born somewhere else

[@joeritchie2]

Your “mercenaries” van der Merwe and Aki were both part of the 2021 Lions tour, with Duhan starting all three tests and Bundee the final one. They are integral parts of their home sides now, so surely would be considered for the Down Under tour.

[@somenamethatdoesntmatter]

Yes exactly, Teo and Duhan both were both mistakes, but you don't need to double down on something stupid. There is enough talent across the nations, no need to to ruin the product, I don't really understand how you can argue against it, its nothing prejudice, they are great players and have carved a life out for themselves, but the lions has to mean something or it loses the only relevancy it has. @DM-rp9lk why are you bringing Vinupola and Faletou into this? Its nothing to do with place of birth alone, that would be stupid. its where you are raised and where you call home. faloutau and vinupola are english and welsh both and they will not book the first flight "home" to another country the minute they hang up their boots. Aki? Teo? Duhan? Lowe? All going home the minute they hang up their boots, I guarantee it. Just like Stander or Brad shields or Brad Barritt. Teo left at a drop of a hat. Definitely feels like I am dieing on a hill on my own, but the lions should be like "State of Origin" or north vs south in nz, It should be genuine.

[@somenamethatdoesntmatter]

@@barryholland8280 yes and i retract my statement for mac hansen, there is a genunie connection there. Get him on the plane.