The British & Irish Lions will take on Australia in 2025, and it's fair to say that a number of Irish players will definitely make the squad led by Ireland's head coach, Andy Farrell.
Ireland has been the best northern hemisphere team for a while now, and it wouldn't be too out there to suggest that the starting 15 will see more than eight Irish players when the teams meet next year. This is barring any major injuries or loss of form among the Ireland squad.
Former England player Andy Goode has written an article for Rugby Pass and given his Lions 2025 team a year out. Goode, like many, believes the Lions team will be Irish-heavy.
"Clearly, the Test team will be dominated by the Irish, and not just because Andy Farrell is head coach. They are the reigning Six Nations champions and have just beaten the world champions away from home to boot," said Goode in the article.
"I think the men in green will contribute over half of the run-on side, but despite the fact that Scotland didn’t have any Lions Test starters at all between 2001 and 2021, they could have as many representatives as anyone else."
Caelan Doris of Ireland, centre, and team-mates celebrate at the final whistle of the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and New Zealand at Aviva Stadium in DublinAndy Goode's British & Irish Lions Starting XV in 2025
Backs
15 Blair Kinghorn 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso 11 James Lowe
13 Garry Ringrose 12 Sione Tuipulotu
10 Finn Russell 9 Jamison Gibson-Park
Forwards
1 Ellis Genge 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Tadhg Furlong
4 Joe McCarthy 5 Tadhg Beirne
6 Chandler Cunningham-South 7 Jac Morgan 8 Caelan Doris (c)
While Goode's team is Irish-heavy, Sam Warburton, the former Wales captain, has selected more English players than Irish players. He has also left out Ireland's Caelan Doris, whom Goode has chosen as captain.
The former Wales star also excluded Hugo Keenan at fullback and provided his reasons.
"It was a tight one at No. 8, because I think you’ve got three great eights at the minute. Wainwright played extremely well in the summer. Caelan Doris is obviously Ireland’s captain, but I’ve gone for Ben Earl," said Warburton in his column for The Times.
"He is simply world-class, and because Chessum is at six, you do not have to worry about him and Morgan not being particularly tall men.
"At fullback, I’ve thrown a bit of a curveball with the selection of Blair Kinghorn. I like Hugo Keenan, but I just think Kinghorn has gone to another level at Toulouse this year."
Whatever happens, the Lions tour will be a cracker.
Marcus Smith of England celebrates scoring the winning drop goal with teammates during the Guinness Six Nations 2024 match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium on March 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Sam Warburtons British & Irish Lions Starting XV in 2025
Backs
15. Blair Kinghorn 14. Tommy Freeman 11. Duhan van der Merwe
13. Robbie Henshaw , 12. Sione Tuipulotu
10. Marcus Smith 9. Jamison Gibson-Park
Forwards
1. Ellis Genge , 2. Dan Sheehan , 3. Tadhg Furlong
4. George Martin; 5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ollie Chessum, 7. Jac Morgan (Wales, capt), 8. Ben Earl.
Date Opponent Venue
Saturday, June 28 Western Force Perth
Wednesday, July 2 Queensland Reds Brisbane
Saturday, July 5 NSW Warratahs Sydney
Wednesday, July 9 ACT Brumbies Canberra
Saturday, July 12 Invitational AU-NZ Adelaide
Saturday, July 19 AUSTRALIA (first Test) Brisbane
Wednesday, July 22 Melbourne Rebels Melbourne
Saturday, July 26 AUSTRALIA (second Test) Melbourne
Saturday, August 2 AUSTRALIA (third Test) Sydney
