B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread

[Kawazaki]

Haha, is that real? A 40 quid event just ot see some names read out? The Lions really is a shameless concept these days.

Its true that they are charging for tickets to see the Lions squad announcement, but you've got the prices wrong. The lowest cost, including additional booking, transaction and facility fees comes to £54. The top price tickets, including extra fees, come to £71.

Unsurprisingly there are still lots of tickets left just to see some names being read out.

Jesus, how much? Is Gav Henson making the draw???

I'd want a Led Zeppelin concert included in the price to pay £71. Supported by The Who.

I'll be amazed if there is more than 1 person there who payed.

[Gumboot]

Are any France-based players like O'Farrell likely to be selected?

[dkm57]

Blair Kinghorn the most likely, possibly Jack Willis

[Uncle fester]

Blair Kinghorn the most likely, possibly Jack Willis

Thought he was a big injury doubt?

[ASMO]

Are any France-based players like O'Farrell likely to be selected?

I don't think he would have the balls to make that call, it would clearly stink of nepotism, if he did i would not bother with the Lions this year.

[Yeeb]

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/sea-of ... ment-event


That authors name sounds extremely familiar to one of team greens better posters

Nolanator?

No flies on you

[Uncle fester]

D day is tomorrow yeah?

[Lobby]

D day is tomorrow yeah?

Haven't you got your tickets yet?

[Yeeb]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

[Lobby]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

[Yeeb]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Nah, with one or two notable examples, team haggis are saner than team green. I wouldn’t pick too many English myself bar backrow and second row. Genuinely hard to see how to get any welsh players into the mix bar tokenism right now.

Havent seen any pubs advertising the lions either yet , seems really quiet compared to the lead up in any pre covid tours and it’s only a month away.
Can’t recall seeing any shirts either, although not really been in a JD Wethersports lillywhites recently.

[Slick]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Still do.

[Lobby]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Nah, with one or two notable examples, team haggis are saner than team green. I wouldn’t pick too many English myself bar backrow and second row. Genuinely hard to see how to get any welsh players into the mix bar tokenism right now.

Havent seen any pubs advertising the lions either yet , seems really quiet compared to the lead up in any pre covid tours and it’s only a month away.
Can’t recall seeing any shirts either, although not really been in a JD Wethersports lillywhites recently.

You should have a look at Sam Warburton's proposed team; its genuinely laughable. 14 English, 13 Irish, 8 Scottish and 5 Welsh.

Here it is in all its glory:

Full-back (3): Blair Kinghorn, Hugo Keenan, Blair Murray

Wing (5): Duhan van der Merwe, James Lowe, Tommy Freeman, Darcy Graham, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

Centre (4): Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Huw Jones, Robbie Henshaw

Fly-half (3): Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith

Scrum-half (3): Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell, Tomos Williams

Prop (6): Ellis Genge, Andrew Porter, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Will Stuart, Zander Fagerson

Hooker (3): Dan Sheehan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dewi Lake

Lock (5): Maro Itoje, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan

Back row (8): Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Caelan Doris, Taulupe Faletau, Jack Conan, Tadhg Beirne

[SaintK]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Nah, with one or two notable examples, team haggis are saner than team green. I wouldn’t pick too many English myself bar backrow and second row. Genuinely hard to see how to get any welsh players into the mix bar tokenism right now.

Havent seen any pubs advertising the lions either yet , seems really quiet compared to the lead up in any pre covid tours and it’s only a month away.
Can’t recall seeing any shirts either, although not really been in a JD Wethersports lillywhites recently.

Doubt you will yet. Still got Premiership football going plus the FA Cup Final to come.
Seen a few shirts and there's a lot happening about replica kit on Instagram (and other social media I'd guess)
But your right it does seem a lot a quieter than previously

[Punter15]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Not really, though good try.

I think we expect the props to go and 10 onwards, but that's it. Maybe Jordan could sneak in. The biggest shame will be that neither Darge or Ritchie will go but there are just too many excellent options.

If it's about wailing and gnashing, I think most of it could be if Marcus and Henry don't make the plane.

[ASMO]

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Nah, with one or two notable examples, team haggis are saner than team green. I wouldn’t pick too many English myself bar backrow and second row. Genuinely hard to see how to get any welsh players into the mix bar tokenism right now.

Havent seen any pubs advertising the lions either yet , seems really quiet compared to the lead up in any pre covid tours and it’s only a month away.
Can’t recall seeing any shirts either, although not really been in a JD Wethersports lillywhites recently.

You should have a look at Sam Warburton's proposed team; its genuinely laughable. 14 English, 13 Irish, 8 Scottish and 5 Welsh.

Here it is in all its glory:

Full-back (3): Blair Kinghorn, Hugo Keenan, Blair Murray

Wing (5): Duhan van der Merwe, James Lowe, Tommy Freeman, Darcy Graham, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

Centre (4): Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Huw Jones, Robbie Henshaw

Fly-half (3): Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith

Scrum-half (3): Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell, Tomos Williams

Prop (6): Ellis Genge, Andrew Porter, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Will Stuart, Zander Fagerson

Hooker (3): Dan Sheehan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dewi Lake

Lock (5): Maro Itoje, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan

Back row (8): Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Caelan Doris, Taulupe Faletau, Jack Conan, Tadhg Beirne

Taulupe Faletau not a hope

[Lobby]

You just know there will be an outrage at too many English being selected & not enough worlds best team World Cup winning Irish selected.

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Not really, though good try.

I think we expect the props to go and 10 onwards, but that's it. Maybe Jordan could sneak in. The biggest shame will be that neither Darge or Ritchie will go but there are just too many excellent options.

If it's about wailing and gnashing, I think most of it could be if Marcus and Henry don't make the plane.

From the English media pundits; you're probably right. The Telegraph will also be apoplectic if Itoje isn't made captain. Personally I wouldn't pick either Marcus or Henry for the Lions.

[Paddington Bear]

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Not really, though good try.

I think we expect the props to go and 10 onwards, but that's it. Maybe Jordan could sneak in. The biggest shame will be that neither Darge or Ritchie will go but there are just too many excellent options.

If it's about wailing and gnashing, I think most of it could be if Marcus and Henry don't make the plane.

From the English media pundits; you're probably right. The Telegraph will also be apoplectic if Itoje isn't made captain. Personally I wouldn't pick either Marcus or Henry for the Lions.

Itoje not being captain, particularly with Doris injured, would be madness

[Yeeb]

I suspect the most wailing and gnashing of teeth about too many English (at least on this bored) will come from the Scots, who 6 months ago were expecting the Lions selections to be split evenly between the Irish forwards and Scottish backs with perhaps 1 or 2 English and Welsh players to make up the numbers.

Nah, with one or two notable examples, team haggis are saner than team green. I wouldn’t pick too many English myself bar backrow and second row. Genuinely hard to see how to get any welsh players into the mix bar tokenism right now.

Havent seen any pubs advertising the lions either yet , seems really quiet compared to the lead up in any pre covid tours and it’s only a month away.
Can’t recall seeing any shirts either, although not really been in a JD Wethersports lillywhites recently.

You should have a look at Sam Warburton's proposed team; its genuinely laughable. 14 English, 13 Irish, 8 Scottish and 5 Welsh.

Here it is in all its glory:

Full-back (3): Blair Kinghorn, Hugo Keenan, Blair Murray

Wing (5): Duhan van der Merwe, James Lowe, Tommy Freeman, Darcy Graham, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

Centre (4): Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Huw Jones, Robbie Henshaw

Fly-half (3): Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith

Scrum-half (3): Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell, Tomos Williams

Prop (6): Ellis Genge, Andrew Porter, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Will Stuart, Zander Fagerson

Hooker (3): Dan Sheehan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dewi Lake

Lock (5): Maro Itoje, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan

Back row (8): Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Caelan Doris, Taulupe Faletau, Jack Conan, Tadhg Beirne

Even from that biased pallete of players, it’s hard to make a matchday 22 with any Welsh in there. Will have to rename dirt trackers to sheepshaggers

Pollock the most obvious bolter suggestion perhaps

[TedMaul]

According my shoulder surgeon mate Feyi Waboso is unlikely to play again, rugby and shoulder injuries are not happy bedfellows.

[Slick]

According my shoulder surgeon mate Feyi Waboso is unlikely to play again, rugby and shoulder injuries are not happy bedfellows.

Well he's hardly played up until now, so that shouldn't stop his continual mental inclusion.

[Yeeb]

According my shoulder surgeon mate Feyi Waboso is unlikely to play again, rugby and shoulder injuries are not happy bedfellows.

Well he's hardly played up until now, so that shouldn't stop his continual mental inclusion.

Warbuton picked him ^^^^^
Some pundits really steal a living post playing retirement don’t they , this isn’t some pissed old fart still warbling on about Jason Robinson a decade after he retired

[TedMaul]

According my shoulder surgeon mate Feyi Waboso is unlikely to play again, rugby and shoulder injuries are not happy bedfellows.

Well he's hardly played up until now, so that shouldn't stop his continual mental inclusion.

Warbuton picked him ^^^^^
Some pundits really steal a living post playing retirement don’t they , this isn’t some pissed old fart still warbling on about Jason Robinson a decade after he retired

I was directly responding to his list!

[Punter15]

Not really, though good try.

I think we expect the props to go and 10 onwards, but that's it. Maybe Jordan could sneak in. The biggest shame will be that neither Darge or Ritchie will go but there are just too many excellent options.

If it's about wailing and gnashing, I think most of it could be if Marcus and Henry don't make the plane.

From the English media pundits; you're probably right. The Telegraph will also be apoplectic if Itoje isn't made captain. Personally I wouldn't pick either Marcus or Henry for the Lions.

Itoje not being captain, particularly with Doris injured, would be madness

There's an argument for Sione, but anything other than Maro would be a shock. It'll be a bit meh whatever - all the best Lions captains have been super double hard bastards (McBride, Jonno, Calder) and there just aren't any this time round.

Having said that, I would also take Ritchie purely as midweek captain with a mission to take absolutely no cheap shit and recreate the Battle of Ballymore at the slightest hint of trouble.

[Uncle fester]

With Doris being a major injury doubt, there is only one possible contender for captain.

1618991120429_1618991140.jpg--.jpg (152.59 KiB) Viewed 735 times

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Taulupe Faletau not a hope

A much better shout than Murray mind

[Brazil]

Not really, though good try.

I think we expect the props to go and 10 onwards, but that's it. Maybe Jordan could sneak in. The biggest shame will be that neither Darge or Ritchie will go but there are just too many excellent options.

If it's about wailing and gnashing, I think most of it could be if Marcus and Henry don't make the plane.

From the English media pundits; you're probably right. The Telegraph will also be apoplectic if Itoje isn't made captain. Personally I wouldn't pick either Marcus or Henry for the Lions.

Itoje not being captain, particularly with Doris injured, would be madness

Unless it's Tom Curry, who also leads by example, but has a better Ref-Side Manner than Maro. Think it should be the latter though, despite my biases.

[Slick]

From the English media pundits; you're probably right. The Telegraph will also be apoplectic if Itoje isn't made captain. Personally I wouldn't pick either Marcus or Henry for the Lions.

Itoje not being captain, particularly with Doris injured, would be madness

There's an argument for Sione, but anything other than Maro would be a shock. It'll be a bit meh whatever - all the best Lions captains have been super double hard bastards (McBride, Jonno, Calder) and there just aren't any this time round.

Having said that, I would also take Ritchie purely as midweek captain with a mission to take absolutely no cheap shit and recreate the Battle of Ballymore at the slightest hint of trouble.

It just has to be Itoje, no argument I reckon.

I think the Lions captain has to be a forward unless you have someone respected by both sets of players and supporters like Big Gav in 93, but those days have sadly probably gone.

[Biffer]

Taulupe Faletau not a hope

A much better shout than Murray mind

Yeah, I mean the lad is very talented but he's a worse defender than Hogg ever was at that age and the Welsh wanked themselves into a fury about that particular topic

[Lobby]

Cometh the hour, cometh the man

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Taulupe Faletau not a hope

A much better shout than Murray mind

Yeah, I mean the lad is very talented but he's a worse defender than Hogg ever was at that age and the Welsh wanked themselves into a fury about that particular topic

It could well be he needs to find his feet and confidence at test level. Fair enough. But he's going to struggle if he doesn't even want to try and stick the shoulder in. I don't think he needs to go full Halfpenny, smash the weights, forget about attacking and not worry about tackling with his head and/or neck in lieu of left shoulder, but Murry's simply not a fullback only offering on attack, indeed he's not really an anything unless he shows more in defence

[sockwithaticket]

Nah, with one or two notable examples, team haggis are saner than team green. I wouldn’t pick too many English myself bar backrow and second row. Genuinely hard to see how to get any welsh players into the mix bar tokenism right now.

Havent seen any pubs advertising the lions either yet , seems really quiet compared to the lead up in any pre covid tours and it’s only a month away.
Can’t recall seeing any shirts either, although not really been in a JD Wethersports lillywhites recently.

You should have a look at Sam Warburton's proposed team; its genuinely laughable. 14 English, 13 Irish, 8 Scottish and 5 Welsh.

Here it is in all its glory:

Full-back (3): Blair Kinghorn, Hugo Keenan, Blair Murray

Wing (5): Duhan van der Merwe, James Lowe, Tommy Freeman, Darcy Graham, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso

Centre (4): Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Huw Jones, Robbie Henshaw

Fly-half (3): Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith

Scrum-half (3): Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell, Tomos Williams

Prop (6): Ellis Genge, Andrew Porter, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Will Stuart, Zander Fagerson

Hooker (3): Dan Sheehan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dewi Lake

Lock (5): Maro Itoje, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan

Back row (8): Tom Curry, Ben Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Caelan Doris, Taulupe Faletau, Jack Conan, Tadhg Beirne

A few of those did leave me thinking or , but then I actually got a bit stuck trying to think of credible replacements.

Back three
- We only need two fullbacks and Murray's a total non-entity at this point in time. If neither Furbank or Kinghorn overcome their injuries, though, who else is there to go alongside Keenan? England have bollocksed around with M. Smith there instead of finding a proper alternative to Furbank. Daly? Kinghorn was literally the only fullback listed in Scotland's 6N squad this year.
- Agree with Freeman, Kinghorn, Lowe and van Der Merwe for wing, but outside them it's a bunch of pretty inexperienced lads. Sleightholme would probably be my preference as best of the rest, but I guess he's injured as he hasn't lined up for Saints recently.

Centre
- Tuipulotu, Aki, Jones is a fair selection.
- Henshaw has been solid, but unspectacular and I'm rarely that impressed by Ringrose. I like Dingwall, but he's only just settling in with England. Slade shouldn't be in the conversation and Lawrence is injured.

Fly half
- Russell by default really. The only guaranteed starter for his national side and comfortably the most experienced option. Fin Smith is very good and probably gets the number 2 spot, but he's very new to international rugby.
- George Ford hasn't played much internationally of late due to injuries, but he's absolute class with a wealth of experience. He's steering Sale very nicely to a play off spot in the Premiership. If I had to pick a team to play for my life tomorrow and you gave me a choice of him and any of the other eligible fly half options at the moment, I wouldn't hesitate to pick him.

Scrum Half
- Warburton picked the only three credible options.

Prop
- Hard to argue Warburton's picks. Furlong a little contentious as he's clearly far from his best, but it's not like there's anyone else really sticking their hand up. The props not in Warburton's squad are callow and/or much of a muchness ability wise.

Hooker
- It's a pretty bleak selection behind Sheehan. I'd be tempted to still run with George, I think he's been better than Cowan-Dickie and the rest. Flip coins to run down the list for a third pick. A pretty unremarkable bunch.

Lock
- One of the only clear areas of strength for England. Don't think anyone can really argue with Itoje and Chessum, with Martin also being a strong option. McCarthy's prone to dumb penalties from what little I've seen of him, but he's more than handy. Beirne was down as a lock for Ireland this 6N, may as well run with that here too, not sure why Warburton of all people was moving him into the back row.
- Don't rate Ryan. Rowlands has been decent in the past, but he had a poor 6N. Gilchrist has been surprisingly good for Scotland, but I wouldn't say he's been better than the English or Irish options.

Back Row
- Easily the most hotly contested area, which makes picking Faletau an absolute nonsense. Genuinely insane take from Warburton. Doris' injury is a blow for the touring party should he not prove to be fit.
- Van Der Flier, Conan, Curry x 2, Ritchie, Morgan, Pollock
- Reckon Earl, T. Willis and M. Fagerson could be scrapping it out for a final spot. Earl hasn't been at his best, but is still an asset while the other two provide additional carrying 8 options. A role that only Conan is really covering if Doris is out.
- J. Willis and Underhill as outside chances in the event of more back row injuries.

[Slick]

Scrum Half
- Warburton picked the only three credible options.

Ben White is a more than credible option, I'd have him just behind Gibson-Park

[Punter15]

Scrum Half
- Warburton picked the only three credible options.

Ben White is a more than credible option, I'd have him just behind Gibson-Park

I agree but doesn't he miss too much of the tour?

[SaintK]

Lock
- One of the only clear areas of strength for England. Don't think anyone can really argue with Itoje and Chessum, with Martin also being a strong option. McCarthy's prone to dumb penalties from what little I've seen of him, but he's more than handy. Beirne was down as a lock for Ireland this 6N, may as well run with that here too, not sure why Warburton of all people was moving him into the back row.
- Don't rate Ryan. Rowlands has been decent in the past, but he had a poor 6N. Gilchrist has been surprisingly good for Scotland, but I wouldn't say he's been better than the English or Irish options.

Announced today that Martin will miss the rest of the Prem season and the Lions tour!!!

[Slick]

Scrum Half
- Warburton picked the only three credible options.

Ben White is a more than credible option, I'd have him just behind Gibson-Park

I agree but doesn't he miss too much of the tour?

I don't think he would miss any more than any of the other France based players?

[Punter15]

Ben White is a more than credible option, I'd have him just behind Gibson-Park

I agree but doesn't he miss too much of the tour?

I don't think he would miss any more than any of the other France based players?

Well yeah, it's a question of whether they are worth waiting for. Kinghorne is, not sure that White is so much better than other options though.

[sockwithaticket]

Scrum Half
- Warburton picked the only three credible options.

Ben White is a more than credible option, I'd have him just behind Gibson-Park

You have him ahead of Mitchell?!

[sockwithaticket]

Lock
- One of the only clear areas of strength for England. Don't think anyone can really argue with Itoje and Chessum, with Martin also being a strong option. McCarthy's prone to dumb penalties from what little I've seen of him, but he's more than handy. Beirne was down as a lock for Ireland this 6N, may as well run with that here too, not sure why Warburton of all people was moving him into the back row.
- Don't rate Ryan. Rowlands has been decent in the past, but he had a poor 6N. Gilchrist has been surprisingly good for Scotland, but I wouldn't say he's been better than the English or Irish options.

Announced today that Martin will miss the rest of the Prem season and the Lions tour!!!

Well that's a bugger. Gilchrist in I guess.

[Slick]

Scrum Half
- Warburton picked the only three credible options.

Ben White is a more than credible option, I'd have him just behind Gibson-Park

You have him ahead of Mitchell?!

I probably would, but even if you don't agree he's definitely a credible option when compared to Mitchell or Williams.