SCRUM HALVES
Starting XV – Ben White (Scotland and RC Toulon)
Replacement – Alex Mitchell (England and Northampton Saints)
Non Test – Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland and Leinster)
An area of top contention for the British and Irish Lions, the scrum halves have raised plenty of selection questions for their own countries, never mind when Farrell has to pick a combined squad from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Narrowly missing out on the trip in our opinion is Gareth Davies, as the Welshman falls to the fourth placed rung of the halfback tiers.
Ben White has been brilliant this past 2023/24 season, and showcased his ability to seamlessly slot in and led various back-lines throughout the 2024 Six Nations. The Scot was exemplary in his distribution to Finn Russell as Gregor Townsend’s go-to scrum half, and carried this momentum back to Toulon, as the stars of the Top 14 weren’t allowed time off throughout the Six Nations’ fallow weeks. Such versatility will be prioritised by Andy Farrell, as the Lions only have so long together to gel, before taking on Argentina at the Aviva Stadium.
Ben White has elapsed Ali Price to the Scottish nine jersey in the past two seasons, with the halfback ready in our eyes to come into his own and lead the Lions’ attacking line. Supporting White as the Lions’ resident number 21 could be Alex Mitchell, as the Northampton Saints man wrapped up an impressive 2023/24 season with a Premiership winners medal. Mitchell’s rise to become Steve Borthwick’s first choice nine is an intriguing one, as the Saint capitalised on the World Cup vacancy left available by Jack van Poortvliet’s unfortunate injury.
Mitchell has continuously impressed the England coaching staff, and has evolved into the sure-fire starter for Borthwick, following the international retirements of veteran nines Ben Youngs and Danny Care. We’d love to see Mitchell rewarded for his efforts with a Lions tour call-up, yet have to hand the starting jersey to his Scottish counterpart.
Travelling out to Australia to support the scrum halves is Jamison Gibson-Park, in the hopes that the Leinster man is able to make a full recovery from the Hamstring injury that kept him away from Summer tour to South Africa. The New Zealand born talent has kept the starting Irish shirt away from Conor Murray for the best part of four seasons now as he searches for his first trip with the British and Irish Lions.
Fly Halves
Starting XV – Finn Russell (Scotland and Bath Rugby)
Replacement – Owen Farrell (Ex-England and Racing 92)
Non Test – George Ford (England and Sale Sharks)
Non Test – Jack Crowley (Ireland and Munster)
Now we move onto a position that was amongst the toughest to decide, as Andy Farrell has his hands full in selecting his fly halves for the 2025 Lions Tour. Whilst we understand that it is impossible to please everyone, we believe that this quartet of fly halves brings a well-rounded breath of versatility to the table for both the Test matches and exhibition fixtures.
Beginning with Finn Russell, we have chosen the self declared ‘Lionel Messi of rugby’ to be the Lions number 10, and take charge of the attack in his fabled style of offloading flair and kicking prowess. The flying Scotsman has been backing up his bold claims with incredible Six Nations performances for Scotland whilst also starring at Bath, as the blue black and whites reached the 2023/24 Premiership Final this past season.
An incredible talent and a definitive talisman for any team he’s orchestrating, the number 10 for the Premiership Rugby Team of the Season, is our predicted starting fly half for Andy Farrell’s Lions. We would be excited to see the Scot lead the line with his unique charisma, for the Tests against the Wallabies, Argentina and any additional combined countries that are thrown into the mix. Supporting Russell as the Test match replacement will surely drum up some controversy, as we can see Owen Farrell coming back to the international stage next Summer to provide an elite option at fly half and in the centre if necessary.
The former England skipper stepped down from the national set-up back in January, and has since solidified this exit by leaving Saracens in favour of a move to Racing 92. Whilst the son of the Lions head coach will not be experiencing the Test match stage ahead of a potential Lions call-up, there is no underplaying the incredible on-field attributes that Farrell can implement, with his six Premiership titles and three Champions Cups a testament to his success at Sarries, as Farrell could get set to complete his trilogy of Lions tours.
The back-up fly halves available at Andy Farrell’s call are by no means a downgrade, as the talented duo of George Ford and Jack Crowley bolster the ranks for the non-test matches. The Sale and Munster men both bring dynamic styles of play to the Lions fold, and each possess educated feet capable of slotting a late winning drop goal.
MIDFIELD
INSIDE CENTRES
Starting XV – Bundee Aki (Ireland and Connacht)
Non Test – Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland and Glasgow Warriors)
Onto the centres now, and there is a solid chance that the starting partnership for the Test matches will be an All-Ireland affair. With bountiful top centres populating the Irish ranks, Farrell has his pick of the bunch in preparation for the tour to Australia, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose our predicted picks for the 12 and 13 shirts.
Aki made his Lions debut on the 2021 tour of South Africa, with his only Test appearence coming in the final match of the series. The New Zealand born bulldozer has long been a stalwart of the Ireland midfield, stretching back to his first appearence for the Emerald Isle against the Springboks in 2017. The Connacht man was arguably Ireland’s best player at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and was shortlisted amongst the top four to the World Rugby Player of the Year award, which eventually went to Ardie Savea of the All Blacks.
Also on the cards to travel to Australia amongst the inside centres, is Scotland’s resident powerhouse Sione Tuipulotu. Whilst we haven’t been able to squeeze in the second of the ‘Huw-ipulotu’ partnership, Huw Jones, Sione gets the go ahead as an all-round attacking threat that brings more than just an out-right power game. The Glasgow Warrior is an excellent reader of defensive structure, and understands how his stature draws in defenders. Tuipulotu often sends a subtle tip-off to a supporting carrier, which gives the 2023/24 URC champion an impressive arsenal of attacking options.
OUTSIDE CENTRES
Starting XV – Garry Ringrose (Ireland and Leinster)
Non Test – Henry Slade (England and Exeter Chiefs)
Completing the All-Irish midfield for the Tests against Argentina and Australia, there are few better in the world right now in the 13 shirt than Garry Ringrose. The Leinster man is built like an Olympic powerlifter, but couples his strength with an explosive burst of speed that would give most track athletes a literal run for their money. Ringrose has become Ireland’s ‘not-so-secret weapon’ in their two consecutive Guinness Six Nations titles, and ran out a stunning 80-minute effort in Ireland’s triumph over the Springboks this past Summer.
Capping off the centres is the 2024 Premiership Rugby Player of the Year, Exeter Chiefs playmaker Henry Slade. There have been few ‘returns to form’ that mirror Slade’s last 12 months, as the Chief took his Rugby World Cup exclusion in his stride. Slade improved in his down-time and led an inexperienced Exeter squad to an enjoyable run in Europe, as they claimed impressive wins over the likes of Munster and Toulon. Slade spearheaded the Chiefs attack with decisive match-winning penalties, whilst also returning to top form as England’s starting outside centre.