B&I Lions 2025 Official Thread

[SaintK]

Elliot fecking Daly?

I accept we need to take some token Welsh, but useless English backs are not acceptable. At all.

He's been on outstanding form this season for Saracens, wasn't bad for England
Can cover 3 positions

[Punter15]

Gutted for Graham and Ritchie

Hansen over Graham is odd.

[Poshprop]

Elliot fecking Daly?

I accept we need to take some token Welsh, but useless English backs are not acceptable. At all.

Awful choice and gutted no Darcy Graham

[Slick]

Daly, Hansen, M Smith are rubbish picks

Pollock doesn’t deserve it, but to be honest I like the idea of a young gun on the Lions tour so well done to him.

From a parochial point of view, sad for Gilchrist, Ritchie and Darcy

[clydecloggie]

Daly, Hansen, M Smith are rubbish picks

Pollock doesn’t deserve it, but to be honest I like the idea of a young gun on the Lions tour so well done to him.

From a parochial point of view, sad for Gilchrist, Ritchie and Darcy

I'm totally amazed Cummings is touring. Not because he doesn't deserve to, but because I'd never thought any Scottish lock was in with a shout.

Of the Scottish pair, I think he's the better of the two.

[Punter15]

Daly, Hansen, M Smith are rubbish picks

Pollock doesn’t deserve it, but to be honest I like the idea of a young gun on the Lions tour so well done to him.

From a parochial point of view, sad for Gilchrist, Ritchie and Darcy

This. Surprised Cummings got in and wonder if that swayed close calls against them.

[TartanBear]

Daly, Hansen, M Smith are rubbish picks

Pollock doesn’t deserve it, but to be honest I like the idea of a young gun on the Lions tour so well done to him.

From a parochial point of view, sad for Gilchrist, Ritchie and Darcy

I'm totally amazed Cummings is touring. Not because he doesn't deserve to, but because I'd never thought any Scottish lock was in with a shout.

Of the Scottish pair, I think he's the better of the two.

He’s more dynamic, quicker and is a disruptive maul defender. Not a slight on GG, who is also decent and is maybe better in the lineout.

[Yr Alban]

Gutted for Graham and Ritchie

I really didn’t think Ritchie would happen. I think he deserves it this season, but the back row is insanely competitive, and he was up against the tour bolter everyone is talking about (Pollock) and one of the few Welsh players in with a shout (Morgan).

Darcy I am really gutted for, especially with Daly getting picked. Nobody has done more to deserve it, but as has been said, he seems to be under-rated outside Scotland.

Other than that, the Scotland guys I thought would be picked, were picked. Two surprise inclusions - Schoeman (thought he was marginal but would miss out) and Cummings (which genuinely is a surprise).

Wee shout out to the Welsh fans. We’ve been there and it really hurts.

[Yr Alban]

Daly, Hansen, M Smith are rubbish picks

Pollock doesn’t deserve it, but to be honest I like the idea of a young gun on the Lions tour so well done to him.

From a parochial point of view, sad for Gilchrist, Ritchie and Darcy

I'm totally amazed Cummings is touring. Not because he doesn't deserve to, but because I'd never thought any Scottish lock was in with a shout.

Of the Scottish pair, I think he's the better of the two.

The inclusion of Cummings was designed to make me look a fool after I told Yeeb we hadn’t had a squad player since 2001. :D

[TartanBear]

Got to think Graham is first or second reserve if a winger goes down. Perhaps also Jordan if Daly gets injured. I’d also expect Ritchie and White to be up near the top of the queue, although J Willis and Ben Currie may be ahead of him.

Lots of rugby left for a lot of that squad and whilst I hope none of them gets injured, you’d think there’s a reasonable probability.

[Yeeb]

Fucking lolz, Daly !

[Uncle fester]

It’s odd all right, but it’s exactly - EXACTLY- what happened with Hogg on the last tour. In the eyes of some, a Scotland player simply isn’t allowed to be the best in his position. There was a hate campaign against Hogg as well. It didn’t work at first, but probably did eventually when he was dropped for the third Test. (Edit - I’m talking solely about Hogg as a player here. It goes without saying, in the light of subsequent events, that he is an awful person).

Similarly - and I’ll get shit for this, but hey ho - I expect that the only Scotland players picked in the squad today will be the ones who everyone expects to be in or around the Test 23. Scotland don’t get fringe or squad players selected. It’s a hangover from the 3 or 4 tours when we had hardly anyone good enough to tour. Either you make it impossible for the manager to leave you out, or they will.

This sounds bitter, but it isn’t really. I’ve come to accept it. The players who really deserved to tour last time did, and it will mostly be the same this time. And the tour is mostly about the Tests now. The role of the dirt trackers is much less than it used to be.

I suspect what you might have viewed as a hate campaign was mostly people not agreeing that he was definitively the best option. Not a hard position to take when Anthony Watson was also on tour.

It wasn’t Watson the pundits wanted him dropped for though - it was Liam Williams. The justification that was aired frequently was Hogg’s fielding of high balls. If memory serves (and it might not here, to be fair) Williams then played the third test and promptly dropped more high balls than Hogg had.

That was the outcome and the Welsh did definitely run a campaign in favour of Williams but all Hogg had to do was play to the standard that was expected of him.

[sockwithaticket]

Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England - captain)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)

Backs
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)

[Yr Alban]

I suspect what you might have viewed as a hate campaign was mostly people not agreeing that he was definitively the best option. Not a hard position to take when Anthony Watson was also on tour.

It wasn’t Watson the pundits wanted him dropped for though - it was Liam Williams. The justification that was aired frequently was Hogg’s fielding of high balls. If memory serves (and it might not here, to be fair) Williams then played the third test and promptly dropped more high balls than Hogg had.

That was the outcome and the Welsh did definitely run a campaign in favour of Williams but all Hogg had to do was play to the standard that was expected of him.

Ah well, all in the past and he’s a wanker anyway!

[sockwithaticket]

Hansen over Graham is the true wtf selection.

Ryan's a very lucky boy. I don't think he's much cop at all.

Wrap Sheehan in cotton wool because he's the only hooker with any class.

Would've expected Ford over M. Smith tbh. Smith will do fine, though. Just don't bloody play him at fullback.

[Yr Alban]

Any real surprise omissions? Doris would certainly have made it, so that one down to injury. Prendergast? He’s been bigged up a lot lately.

Pollock not a surprise as the Lions always take one young player who is the flavour of the month. It was Rees-Zammit last time.

[Yr Alban]

Hansen over Graham is the true wtf selection.

Ryan's a very lucky boy. I don't think he's much cop at all.

Wrap Sheehan in cotton wool because he's the only hooker with any class.

Would've expected Ford over M. Smith tbh. Smith will do fine, though. Just don't bloody play him at fullback.

It’s been said, but every tour has injury replacements, and I suspect Darcy will make it out to Oz at some point. He can cover 15 as well.

[Hal Jordan]

Personally pleased for Smith M (well, duh) but him and Daly have multi position dirt tracker written all over them.

[Poshprop]

Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England)

Seeing the backrow written down has got me a little concerned. There is a lack of 8 their and although all really good players I think it will be tricky to get a balanced back row from there.

What are the chances of Doris getting called up if fit in time? Think its within the rules as squad not limited like a world cup.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Williams the very definition of a sympathy pick.

Daly is bizarre, and Cummings unexpected, but at least no O Farrell. Happy for Pollock as a bolter (though would have preferred Ritchie to go).

[Slick]

Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England)

Seeing the backrow written down has got me a little concerned. There is a lack of 8 their and although all really good players I think it will be tricky to get a balanced back row from there.

What are the chances of Doris getting called up if fit in time? Think its within the rules as squad not limited like a world cup.

Yeah, not any hard bastards in that selection

[Poshprop]

Hansen over Graham is the true wtf selection.

Ryan's a very lucky boy. I don't think he's much cop at all.

Wrap Sheehan in cotton wool because he's the only hooker with any class.

Would've expected Ford over M. Smith tbh. Smith will do fine, though. Just don't bloody play him at fullback.

Hansen's Faz tattoo paying dividends
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... i=89978449

[Slick]

Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England)

Seeing the backrow written down has got me a little concerned. There is a lack of 8 their and although all really good players I think it will be tricky to get a balanced back row from there.

What are the chances of Doris getting called up if fit in time? Think its within the rules as squad not limited like a world cup.

Yeah, not any hard bastards in that selection

Edit: Tom Curry counts I guess

[Hal Jordan]

Also, if you had said two or so years ago that Will Stuart would have been selected for a Lions tour, I would have immediately assumed that every other tighthead in the Isles had been struck down by some terrible debilitating ague.

[dkm57]

Daly FFS, the rest were pretty much what I'd expected. White, Graham and Jordan should be on Farrell's Speed dial.

[sockwithaticket]

Hansen over Graham is the true wtf selection.

Ryan's a very lucky boy. I don't think he's much cop at all.

Wrap Sheehan in cotton wool because he's the only hooker with any class.

Would've expected Ford over M. Smith tbh. Smith will do fine, though. Just don't bloody play him at fullback.

It’s been said, but every tour has injury replacements, and I suspect Darcy will make it out to Oz at some point. He can cover 15 as well.

True, I'm just struggling to put myself in the mindset of someone who thinks Hansen should be on the tour.

[Uncle fester]

Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England)

Seeing the backrow written down has got me a little concerned. There is a lack of 8 their and although all really good players I think it will be tricky to get a balanced back row from there.

What are the chances of Doris getting called up if fit in time? Think its within the rules as squad not limited like a world cup.

Conan is primarily an 8. He only plays 6 because Doris is usually there.

[sockwithaticket]

Hansen over Graham is the true wtf selection.

Ryan's a very lucky boy. I don't think he's much cop at all.

Wrap Sheehan in cotton wool because he's the only hooker with any class.

Would've expected Ford over M. Smith tbh. Smith will do fine, though. Just don't bloody play him at fullback.

Hansen's Faz tattoo paying dividends
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... i=89978449

I suppose that sort of commitment to being a lunatic with your body has to count for something.

[Poshprop]

Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England)

Seeing the backrow written down has got me a little concerned. There is a lack of 8 their and although all really good players I think it will be tricky to get a balanced back row from there.

What are the chances of Doris getting called up if fit in time? Think its within the rules as squad not limited like a world cup.

Yeah, not any hard bastards in that selection

A question I've seen asked a lot on rugby podcasts is which former Lion would you bring back for this tour and my answer is unequivocally, Mike Teague!

[Insane_Homer]

Spoiler

Show

Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England - captain)
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)

Backs
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland)
James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)

Ireland - 15
England - 13
Scotland - 8
Wales - 2

Seems about right.

[Hal Jordan]

Also, if you had said two or so years ago that Will Stuart would have been selected for a Lions tour, I would have immediately assumed that every other tighthead in the Isles had been struck down by some terrible debilitating ague.

[Uncle fester]

No Mitchell or have I misread?

[sockwithaticket]

Also, if you had said two or so years ago that Will Stuart would have been selected for a Lions tour, I would have immediately assumed that every other tighthead in the Isles had been struck down by some terrible debilitating ague.

He's really come on leaps and bounds recently.

[Poshprop]

Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England)

Seeing the backrow written down has got me a little concerned. There is a lack of 8 their and although all really good players I think it will be tricky to get a balanced back row from there.

What are the chances of Doris getting called up if fit in time? Think its within the rules as squad not limited like a world cup.

Conan is primarily an 8. He only plays 6 because Doris is usually there.

Just realised there are also two locks (Chessum and Beirne) that can play 6 too

[Yeeb]

Anyone putting a test side out ?
Irish & scots backs
English locks and BR
Irish FR
Tomos Williams at SH

[Yeeb]

Back row
Jack Conan (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Henry Pollock (England)

Seeing the backrow written down has got me a little concerned. There is a lack of 8 their and although all really good players I think it will be tricky to get a balanced back row from there.

What are the chances of Doris getting called up if fit in time? Think its within the rules as squad not limited like a world cup.

Conan is primarily an 8. He only plays 6 because Doris is usually there.

Just realised there are also two locks (Chessum and Beirne) that can play 6 too

Earl for 8, alongside curry and pollock

[Paddington Bear]

Daly - you love to see it

[PornDog]

Gutted for Graham and Ritchie

Hansen over Graham is odd.

I assume that fact he is a mad bastard and will probably be an excellent tourist played its part in that selection. When fully firing he absolutely deserves it, but he hasn't been (largely due to injury disruptions, but still).

Delighted for Cummins, I'm a big fan (of Gilchrist as well).

Leinster with 12 tourists!! Would have been 13 if Doris hadn't knobbled himself!

[Biffer]

What’s his record against Oz? England have only lost twice to Australia since the 2015 world cup

BETTER.

We'll leave it there

Speaking your truth

Scotland have also only lost twice, and both times by one point. Finn Russell didn't play in one of the losses. We've also given them a couple of drubbings, and have conceded a lot fewer points in our games as well.

[Biffer]

Daly FFS, the rest were pretty much what I'd expected. White, Graham and Jordan should be on Farrell's Speed dial.

I was half expecting Jordan to get the call because he can cover 10, 12 and 15. Early in the tour with Kinghorn not there, an extra 15 might be needed, which I think is why Marcus Smith got the nod.