The countdown to the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia has begun, and many expect a strong Irish contingent in the squad, especially with Ireland’s head coach, Andy Farrell, at the helm.
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But former Wales captain Sam Warburton has thrown in some surprises with his recent squad predictions.
Warburton Backs More English Players Over Irish
Warburton has made waves by selecting more English players than Irish in his Lions lineup—a move that has sparked debate. Most notably, he left out Ireland’s star back-rower, Caelan Doris, who many thought was a shoo-in, with Alex Goode even backing Doris as captain.
Caelan Doris Misses Out: “Ben Earl is World-Class”
Explaining his decision, Warburton shared his thoughts on the No. 8 selection. “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,” Warburton wrote in The Times.
“He is simply world-class, and because Chessum is at six, you don’t have to worry about him and Morgan not being particularly tall men.”
Keenan Snubbed for Kinghorn at Fullback
In another bold move, Warburton chose Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn over Ireland’s Hugo Keenan at fullback. “I like Hugo Keenan, but I just think Kinghorn has gone to another level at Toulouse this year,” Warburton explained, adding that it was a “curveball” selection.
Sam Warburton’s British & Irish Lions Starting XV in 2025
15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Tommy Freeman
11. Duhan van der Merwe
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Sione Tuipulotu
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. George Martin
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Jac Morgan
8. Ben Earl
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Can you name the 2017 Lions squad:
The 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand was unforgettable, packed with drama, passion, and unforgettable moments. From thrilling tries to hard-fought battles against the All Blacks, this squad etched their names in rugby history by securing a memorable drawn series.
Think you know everything about this iconic group of players? Test your knowledge with our quiz and see if you’re a true Lions fan! Whether you’re a casual supporter or a rugby fanatic, it’s time to roar with pride and prove your Lions IQ.
Get ready to dive into questions about the players, their clubs, and the unforgettable tour moments. Let’s kick off!
