The British & Irish Lions have unveiled their 38-player squad for the highly anticipated 2025 tour of Australia, with some surprising inclusions and notable omissions. Head coach Andy Farrell announced the squad at the O2 Arena in London, highlighting a mix of youth and experience.

Key Inclusions

• Henry Pollock: The 20-year-old England back-row has made a remarkable rise, earning his spot despite having only one international Test to his name.
• Marcus Smith: The talented fly-half is set to bring his dynamic playmaking skills to the Lions.
• Maro Itoje: Named as the captain, Itoje will lead the squad with his proven leadership and on-field prowess.

Notable Omissions

• Owen Farrell: A surprising exclusion, Farrell will not be part of the tour despite his extensive experience.
• Caelan Doris: The Ireland captain misses out due to a shoulder injury sustained in the Champions Cup.

Squad Composition

Farrell has selected a balanced squad with 21 forwards and 17 backs, including players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The front-row features strong contenders like Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher, while the back-row includes emerging talents such as Pollock and Ben Earl.

Backline Strength

The backline boasts a mix of speed and skill with players like Finn Russell, Bundee Aki, and Duhan van der Merwe. The inclusion of three scrum-halves and three fly-halves ensures depth in key positions.

Tour Fixtures

The Lions will face Australia in a series of high-stakes matches, promising thrilling rugby action. The squad is set to embark on rigorous preparations to ensure they are in peak condition for the tour.

Full Squad

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Zander Fagerson, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Tomos Williams.

Stay tuned for more updates as the British & Irish Lions gear up for their tour Down Under!