With an action-packed July Test window all but coming to a close, the focus of the top players in Britain and Ireland will be firmly on a well-earned break from rugby.
As Tadhg Furlong returns to plough his fields and Marcus Smith hits the beaches of Marbella, here is a way too early look at a potential British and Irish Lions match day 23 to face the Wallabies in the first test.
1. Fin Baxter – England
Projecting somewhat here, the Harlequins loosehead is a real prospect who repaid Steve Borthwick’s faith in him with a strong performance against the All Blacks. Whilst the English scrum was a mixed bag, the 22-year-old’s work rate was off the charts for the 68 minutes he was on the park. Topping the tackles complete charts with 14, making 2 dominant hits whilst also making twelve carries, he added a new layer of dynamism to the English front row.
2. Dan Sheehan – Ireland
Predicated on him returning to full fitness in time following a nasty ACL injury, Sheehan remains head and shoulders above all of the other hookers available to the Lions. Uber dynamic in the carry, Sheehan operates more as a backrow than a front row around the pitch.
3. Tadhg Furlong – Ireland
Closing in on his tenth year in test rugby, ‘the jukebox’ has still got it! Whilst Ox Nche got the better of him in July, Furlong is experienced and intelligent enough to rectify his issues and will face a significantly less potent scrum when the Lions face the Wallabies. With this in mind, his carrying and ball-playing ability will be a major asset in what promises to be an uptempo series.
4. Maro Itoje – England
Back to his best, the Saracens star was a menace in New Zealand as he routinely pilfered the All Blacks line-out and obliterated their ruck and maul. Somehow, he will still be just thirty years old when the tour takes place and will cause the Wallabies all sorts of trouble in the tight exchanges.
5. James Ryan – Ireland
Regaining his starting berth in the Ireland line-up this weekend, Ryan served a reminder to the world that he is still a world-class operator. Clearly spurred on by his lack of starting opportunities since the World Cup, the Leinster captain fronted up and brought a much-needed hard edge to the Irish pack against an onslaught of powerful Springbok ball carriers. Against Australia, he will combine with Itoje to form a rugged lock pairing to go after the Wallabies.
6. Tadhg Beirne – Ireland
Returning to what appears to be his favoured position, the Munster captain is arguably the best poacher in World Rugby at the moment. Mix in his outlandish work rate, willingness to carry and line-out ability and he will do the hard yards that will allow his explosive backrow partners to shine.
7. Ben Earl – England
Quite possibly the most improved backrow in the British and Irish Isles over the past twelve months, the ultra-explosive Earl has gone from a good international to a great one. Offering top-class pace and ability to cover ground, Earl is a do-it-all dynamo who will relish operating as a key carrier in a dominant pack.
8. Caelan Doris (C) – Ireland
Our captain for the tour, Doris is a monster who at this moment in time is alongside Pieter-Steph Du Toit and Ardie Savea as an interchangeable choice as the best backrow on the planet. Capable of playing all three positions in the backrow to an elite level, number eight is clearly his preferred position and his combination with Earl will offer Andy Farrell’s squad two incredible powerful ball carriers and tacklers.
9. Alex Mitchell – England
Perhaps our most contentious call, but the Northampton Saints scrumhalf is just hitting his peak at 27-years-old whilst the exceptional Jamison Gibson-Park, who will be 33 by the time the tour comes around, will have likely recently returned from a hamstring injury. Uncertainty about JGP’s fitness aside, Mitchell is a classy operator and a real threat around the ruck that will trouble the Wallabies’ defence.
10. Finn Russell – Scotland
While the young quartet of Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Marcus Smith, and Fin Smith are all coming forces, this tour will be Russell’s Swan Song in the famous red shirt. Now very much at the peak of his powers, the Scottish magician is the perfect option to conduct Farrell’s complex attacking structures.
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – England
Holding off the physical duo of Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe to claim the left wing spot, we are banking on the already lethal Exeter Chiefs star building on his mightily impressive 2024 season. Bringing a level of top-end pace and outlandish footwork to the back three, Feyi-Waboso is our X-Factor in the backline.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Scotland
A real area of strength for the Lions with Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki and Ollie Lawrence as live options, the Glasgow Warrior’s form has been too good to ignore. Whilst Scotland was off galavanting in North America in July, this does not detract from just how good the Australian-born powerhouse has been for both club and country. Returning down under in front of his family and friends, expect him to put on a show alongside Russell.
13. Garry Ringrose – Ireland
Clearly, the key that makes Farrell’s system click, the Leinster Centre is both a world-class operator and a key leader. In addition to his general play, Ringrose is a shutdown defender who closes down space at a rate of knots as he connects the inside and outside backs masterfully.
14. Tommy Freeman – England
Power personified, the Northampton Saints winger has taken a major step forward this season, and whilst he has even more levels to go before he is the final article, he is already pretty damn good! Powerful in the carry, dominant in the air and rock solid defensively, Freeman is the complete package and edges out Mack Hansen for the shirt.
15. Hugo Keenan – Ireland
A toss-up between Blair Kinghorn and Keenan here, but given his familiarity with Farrell and extended run as a world-class fullback, Keenan gets the nod. Often described as a Rolls Royce of a player, Keenan is silky smooth in everything he does and is pretty much never found wanting in any area. Utilising his elite fitness and pace, Keenan dominates the backfield and is a potent attacking option. Whilst young Jamie Osborne was magnificent in his absence this July, Keenan will still be in the driving seat when he returns from the Olympics.
Replacements:
16. Dewi Lake – Wales
Our lone Welshman in the squad, Lake, gets the nod ahead of Ronan Kelleher and Theo Dan (who we believe will be England’s 1st choice next season). Close to unstoppable at the back of a maul and brutally physical around the park, Lake is the perfect impact sub to inflict punishment on a tired Wallabies pack late in the game.
17. Andrew Porter – Ireland
Mirroring what Lake will bring to the contest, Porter’s dynamism around the park will ensure there is no letup when Baxter leaves the action. Certainly, there have been question marks around his scrummaging since the World Cup quarterfinal, but against the Wallabies, this doesn’t feel like a major concern at the present moment.
18. Zander Fagerson – Scotland
A crucial component to the Glasgow Warriors run to the BKT URC title this season, the Scotland stalwart is just about hitting his prime as a tighthead at 28-years-old. No slouch around the park; he is the closest like-for-like option to Furlong at the present moment.
19. Joe McCarthy – Ireland
Revolutionising the Irish game over the past twelve months, the mongrel in the Irish pack has terrorised opponents since bursting onto the scene for both club and country. Injecting him for the final 25-30 minutes will be like having a bull in a china shop.
20. Chandler Cunningham-South – England
Arguably the most exciting prospect in English Rugby at the moment, the Harlequins backrow beast is scarily only one year removed from playing U20s rugby. Come the Lions tour, expect him to be a truly world-class player who can cover both the backrow and secondrow should it be required.
21. Jamison Gibson-Park – Ireland
Predicated on him getting back to his best following his rehab from the brutal hamstring injury he sustained against the Vodacom Bulls in the URC semi-final. JGP provides the ultimate cover from the bench whether the Lions need a livewire to enter the fray or someone to close out the match.
22. Jack Crowley – Ireland
Just about edging Marcus Smith here on two fronts, firstly whilst Smith has shown great form late this season, Crowley has been consistently excellent for Ireland. Secondly his ability to cover inside centre and fullback adds a safety net to this selection.
23. Blair Kinghorn – Scotland
In reality, he could well be a starter on the wing or at fullback, but given his long-range kicking game, versatility and pace, he is the perfect option to shake up a match if needed. Since moving to Toulouse, he has gone to another level and is firmly locked in as Scotland’s first-choice fullback going forward.
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