Who will make the British & Irish Lions squad for 2025 Tour to Australia?

For professional rugby union players hailing from Britain or Ireland, Lions selection represents one of the highest privileges that can be bestowed upon them during their career.

A status reserved for truly elite players, British and Irish Lions Tours bring together the finest talent from the respective international squads of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Taking place every four years, the Lions selection commonly becomes one of the hottest talking points amongst rugby union fans whenever a Tour is on the horizon.

We take a look at how the British & Irish Lions squad, comprised of 37 players for the South Africa Tour in 2021, could shape up for the 2025 Tour to Australia.

Forwards

1. Loosehead prop

On the plane

• Andrew Porter (Ireland)

Ireland's Andrew Porter looks to be in prime position to receive the call from Lions manager Andy Farrell to fill the number one jersey as a loose-head prop.

A member of the 2021 Lions squad, Leinster's Porter has become a pivotal figure for an impressive Ireland side overseen by Farrell.

• Ellis Genge (England)

An important player for Steve Borthwick's England, Ellis Genge is another loosehead prop who looks well placed to be included in Andy Farrell's 2025 British and Irish Lions squad.

A dynamic prop, Genge is an aggressive ball-carrier who captained Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title in 2022.

Other contenders

Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Nicky Smith (Wales), Fin Baxter (England).

2. Hooker

On the plane

• Dan Sheehan (Ireland)

An integral member of the dominant force which is Ireland's national rugby union team, it is difficult to imagine the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour without Dan Sheehan being involved.

An athletic hooker, Sheehan is an all-action player who will be a huge asset to the Lions' Class of 2025 Down Under.

• Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)

Underlining the embarrassment of riches Ireland possess at the moment, Ronan Kelleher is also likely to be called up for the 2025 Lions squad alongside international and Leinster teammate Sheehan.

Kelleher has proven a more than capable understudy for Sheehan for club and country and could be primed to assume this status for the Lions in Australia.

Other contenders

Jamie George (England), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Dewi Lake (Wales).

3. Tighthead prop

On the plane

• Zander Fagerson (Scotland)

In a highly competitive position, Scotland's Zander Fagerson arguably remains best placed to be selected as a tighthead prop for the 2025 Lions Tour.

A Lion in 2021, Fagerson became the most-capped Scotland prop of all time when making his 67th international appearance against Ireland in the 2024 Six Nations.

Other contenders

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Will Stuart (England), Finlay Bealham (Ireland), WillGriff John (Wales).

4 & 5. Second Row

On the plane

• Maro Itoje (England)

England's new captain, Maro Itoje can be assured of a place on what will be his third British & Irish Lions Tour in 2025.

A physically robust operator who is brilliant in the air, Itoje will be one of the leading candidates to captain the Lions in Australia.

• Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne is another second rower who looks nailed-on to be included in Andy Farrell's 2025 Lions squad.

The Munster captain is considered one of the best breakdown players in the world and has been a crucial part of Ireland's success under Farrell in recent years.

• Joe McCarthy (Ireland)

Joe McCarthy is another Irishman who seems destined to be heading Down Under as part of the Lions squad to take on Australia this summer.

Another physical powerhouse at 6ft 6ins, McCarthy is dominant in the tackle, from lineouts and at the breakdown.

Other contenders

James Ryan (Ireland), Ollie Chessum (England), George Martin (England), Jonny Gray (Scotland), Grant Gilchrist (Scotland), Will Rowlands (Wales).

6, 7 & 8. Back row

On the plane

• Caelan Doris (Ireland)

Ireland captain Caelan Doris is a cert to make up Andy Farrell's travelling party for the 2025 Lions Tour to Australia.

Nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year in 2024, number eight Doris is the frontrunner to take up the Lions captaincy for the 2025 Tour.

• Jack Conan (Ireland)

A teammate of Doris for Ireland and Leinster, Jack Conan is another back rower who will likely be at the forefront of Lions manager Andy Farrell's thoughts ahead of the 2025 Lions Tour.

Renowned for his ability to make a telling impact off the bench, Conan is a physically powerful player who is adept at disrupting the opposition's play towards the end of matches.

• Tom Curry (England)

A member of the British and Irish Lions squad in 2021, Tom Curry has put himself in a strong position to be named in the 2025 selection following some inspired displays at the 2025 Six Nations for England.

The Sale Sharks flanker is an all-action operator who has a knack for stepping up to the plate at the most pivotal moments in matches.

• Josh van der Flier (Ireland)

Another trusted lieutenant of Lions boss Andy Farrell during his tenure as Ireland manager, Josh van der Flier is a terrific all-round rugby player.

Named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2022, it would be a huge surprise to not see Van der Flier included as part of a large Irish cohort in the Lions ranks in 2025.

• Rory Darge (Scotland)

One player who appears in with a good chance of receiving his first Lions call-up is 25-year-old Scottish openside flanker Rory Darge.

Appointed co-captain of his country alongside Finn Russell ahead of the 2025 Six Nations, Darge's importance for Gregor Townsend's side seems to increase with every passing game.

Other contenders

Ryan Baird (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Ben Curry (England), Jamie Ritchie (Scotland), Tommy Reffell (Wales), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Aaron Wainwright (Wales), Jack Willis (England), Peter O'Mahony (Ireland), Courtney Lawes (England).

Backs

9. Scrum-half

On the plane

• Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

Ireland and Leinster's Jamison Gibson-Park is expected to be Lions boss Andy Farrell's first-choice scrum-half for the 2025 Tour to Australia.

33-year-old Gibson-Park has been sensational for Ireland in recent years, with his ability to control the tempo of matches likely to be key as the Lions seek a second successive Tour victory over Australia in 2025.

• Tomos Williams (Wales)

One of the shining lights in a struggling Wales side, Tomos Williams is likely to provide competition for Gibson-Park in the scrum-half position.

Swapping Cardiff for Premiership side Gloucester in January 2024, Williams is a dynamic scrum-half with exceptional decision-making.

Other contenders

Alex Mitchell (England), Conor Murray (Ireland), Ben White (Scotland).

10. Fly-half

On the plane

• Sam Prendergast (Ireland)

Still only 22 years of age, Ireland's Sam Prendergast looks a world beater in the making.

Starring at number 10 for his country in the 2025 Six Nations, Leinster's Prendergast may emerge as the first-choice fly-half for the Lions Down Under this summer.

• Finn Russell (Scotland)

A more experienced alternative to Prendergast at fly-half is Scotland co-captain Finn Russell, who at peak form is one of the most watchable players in world rugby.

Although not at his best for Scotland in the 2025 Six Nations, Russell remains a world-class player with game-changing ability.

Other contenders

Marcus Smith (England), Fin Smith (England), Owen Farrell (England).

12 & 13. Centre

On the plane

• Bundee Aki (Ireland)

A centre with a vast array of skills, Ireland's Bundee Aki is a certainty to be selected by Lions manager Andy Farrell for the 2025 Tour to Australia.

Possessing deft footwork and a solid kicking game, Aki will be a key creative force for the Lions Down Under.

• Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

Facing a race against time to be fit for Lions selection after suffering a pectoral muscle injury on the eve of the Six Nations, Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu certainly has the quality to play for the Lions should he be fit and available.

Terrific for Gregor Townsend's side in the Autumn Internationals last year, Tuipulotu is a dynamic ball-carrying centre with terrific playmaking ability.

• Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

Another Irishman who will be well aware of Lions manager Andy Farrell's tactics, Leinster's Garry Ringrose seems a likely pick at centre.

A reliable figure for Ireland, 30-year-old Ringrose has yet to receive a call-up for the British and Irish Lions in his career.

• Huw Jones (Scotland)

One of Scotland's most reliable tryscorers, Huw Jones' outstanding finishing ability makes him an appetising Lions pick for manager Andy Farrell.

A pacey centre with a nose for the try line, Jones provides a slightly different profile to other players at Farrell's disposal in this area of the pitch.

Other contenders

Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Ollie Lawrence (England), Henry Slade (England), Nick Tompkins (Wales), Max Llewellyn (Wales).

11, 14 & 15. Back three

On the plane

• Hugo Keenan (Ireland)

The natural choice at full-back, Ireland's Hugo Keenan has to be on the plane to South Africa.

Nicknamed 'The Fox', Keenan is both an exceptional defensive player and an accomplished playmaker with ball in hand.

• James Lowe (Ireland)

Arguably the most devastating winger who can be selected by the British and Irish Lions, James Lowe looks a likely starter for Andy Farrell's charges in Australia this summer.

A prolific tryscorer, Lowe also boasts a tremendous left boot and terrific passing ability.

• Mack Hansen (Ireland)

Another Irish back who seems a natural Lions pick is Connacht's Mack Hansen.

An unselfish winger, Hansen's pace and agility make him an elusive figure within opposition ranks.

• Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)

A winger with a unique blend of power and pace, Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe possess sublime tryscoring ability.

A 6ft 4ins unit of a man, Van der Merwe is equally capable of deceiving opposition players with neat footwork as he is bulldozing past them using his sheer strength.

• Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)

Capable of playing as a full-back, wing or fly-half, the versatility of Scotland's Blair Kinghorn could make him a very useful Lions pick for Andy Farrell.

Now plying his trade at French giants Toulouse alongside Antoine Dupont and co, Kinghorn has developed into an important figure for his country under the guidance of Gregor Townsend.

Other contenders

Darcy Graham (Scotland), Tommy Freeman (England), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England), Liam Williams (Wales), Josh Adams (Wales).