Andy Farrell picks 15 Irishmen for Australia tour — the largest contingent from any nation
AIRBORNE James Lowe scores against France (Getty Images)ANDY Farrell has named a 38-man British & Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour to Australia, with 15 Irish players making the cut — the highest national representation in the squad. Only two Welsh players have been chosen, with 13 from England and 8 from Scotland.
Maro Itoje, the England lock, will captain the Lions on this, his third tour, having previously featured in 2017 and 2021.
The announcement was made at a packed event at Indigo at The O2 in London, marking the first time the Lions squad has been unveiled live to supporters.
Farrell, currently on a sabbatical from his role as Ireland head coach, quashed any suggestion of nepotism by leaving out his son, Owen Farrell.
He also had to contend with the absence of Ireland vice-captain Caelan Doris, ruled out of contention following a shoulder injury sustained in Leinster’s recent Champions Cup semi-final. Doris was the only real competition for Itoje as captain, but his absence meant Itoje was a shoo-in for the skipper’s role.
There had been speculation Dan Sheehan might miss out, but the Leinster hooker was selected — one of nine Irish forwards named. Veterans like Tadhg Furlong and Tadhg Beirne will bring previous Lions experience, while new faces include Joe McCarthy and Ronan Kelleher.
In the backs, Ireland provides flair and composure through Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, and the in-form Jamison Gibson-Park scrum-half. Mack Hansen, recently returned from injury, is also included.
Johnny Sexton and Paul O’Connell are also named in the coaching line-up.
Itoje said it was “an amazing feeling” to be named captain, adding: “I’m deeply honoured, humbled and I will do my best to do the role justice.” Farrell praised his leadership and experience, noting the importance of “getting the squad balance right” for a long, physically demanding tour.
The Lions will begin with a historic fixture against Argentina for the 1888 Cup at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on June 20 before heading to Australia. There, they will face provincial sides and invitational teams — including the First Nations & Pasifika XV — before a three-Test series against the Wallabies, now coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.
Lions 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)
Lions forwards
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)
Who are the Lions?
The British & Irish Lions are selected from the top players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The concept dates back to 1888, when an invitational team of British players toured Australia and New Zealand — the first of its kind.
The Lions have since become one of the sport’s traditions, touring one of the Southern Hemisphere’s rugby powerhouses — South Africa, New Zealand or Australia — every four years. They have never completed a full tour of Argentina, although they have played there, and will play a fully recognised international match agains the Pumas in June in Dublin.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that the term “British Lions” came into common use. The name was officially updated to the British & Irish Lions in 2001, formally recognising Ireland’s full contribution to the squad over the decades.
The Lions wear a red jersey, blue shorts, green socks, and a gold-trimmed crest — reflecting all four home nations.
