British and Irish Lions boss Andy Farrell will announce his team for this summer’s Australia tour on Thursday in front of 2,000 fans at London’s O2 Arena. There are many important decisions: Will Owen Farrell get a place? Does Caelan Doris fit well enough to go? Will he become the captain? Which bolters make the plane?
For anyone, the main decision will be made later this summer when he selects the starting lineup for the three Tests against Australia. Here, ESPN writers James Regan and Tom Hamilton get heavily on who should be in XV.
1. British Ellis Jenge (props)
Hamilton: The English man pips Andrew Porter at the narrowest margin. Nikki Smith will also be traveling.
Regan: I’m leaning towards Andrew Porter, but Ellis Jenge had an amazing season. I wouldn’t be so surprised if the English props finally got a nod. In any case, the lion is in a good position here.
2. Dan Sheehan (Hooker)
Regan: There are six strong countries and have scored a try in club rugby this season. His physical presence becomes such an asset within the pack.
Hamilton: Jamie George closes him, but this place has pressure from Ronan Kelleher, Luke Cowan Dickie and Dewi Lake, but Sheehan is an outstanding prostitute at the time of writing.
3. England, Stuart (Props)
Hamilton: England’s tight heads have improved incredibly over the past year. It’s almost before Tadhg Furlong, but this is hotly contested all the way through to the first test.
Regan: Stuart is an England standout for the Six Nations and was important for the bus side this season, chasing the Premier and European silverware.
4. Marois (Rock) in the UK
Regan: Nothing changes from the Six Nations here, and Ito is glued to start. If Doris is not available or missed a few games, Itoje could also become captain.
Hamilton: If Caelan Doris doesn’t fit, Itoje will captain the lion. Anyway, he might do it a lot, regardless of Doris’ fitness. Itoje plays great rugby.
5. Tadge Bailne, Ireland (Rock)
Hamilton: The Lions have a bit of energy in the rock division, but Beirne works well with Itoje.
Regan: Another Irish player has had a lot of credit in recent years because he has sufficient credit in banks. Ollie Chessum wears the heat in the place, but Beirne has to start.
6. Tom Curry of England (Flanker)
Hamilton: Hoping Andy Farrell goes with two “fetchers” in the backrow, Tom Curry is a test lion.
Regan: It is certainly impossible for the most influential player of England’s Six Nations to see curry being overlooked. You can easily play both sides of the scrum.
7. Jack Morgan, Wales (Flanker)
Hamilton: I wish you good luck by choosing the Lions backrow. Jack Morgan was a rare ray in the six tragic countries of Wales. However, there are at least six great candidates at this spot.
Regan: This can go to either Ben Curry, Ben Earle, Rory Dalge, Jacques Willis, or some other candidates. Maybe it depends on what happens in Doris? Either way, Farrell is in a strong position, but van der Freier runs on the board.
8. Kaelan Doris, Ireland (No. 8)
Hamilton: If he’s fit, it’s his shirt. However, if the worst possible prognosis returns in the next 48 hours and he is removed from the tour with a shoulder injury, Tom Willis, Ben Earle, Jacques Conan and Taurpe Faretau all go into this shirt mix.
Regan: The player you take, even if he plays the test. That would be a huge loss that he doesn’t go, but is there a sturdy alternative for Earl, Tom Willis, or Taurpe Faretau too?
9. Jamison Gibson Park (Scrum Half) in Ireland
Regan: One of the first names on the team sheet.
Hamilton: Despite what happened to his Rainster side over the weekend, Gibson Park stocks remained stable throughout the Six Nations and Champions Cup. And the inventory was always high.
10. Finn Russell, Scotland (Fly Half)
Hamilton: This position is attractive and we still see how much of a Johnny Sexton will have. But Russell is the best fly half available.
Regan:Russell, the top point scorer for the Gallagher Premiership, had no top six nations by his own noble standards, but no one would produce what he would produce when it was important to see him take the 10th jersey.
11. James Lowe, Ireland (Winger)
Regan: As an exception in Six Nations, there’s no doubt that Pharrell will turn his eyes to Lowe for the big game.
Hamilton: Irish men are in great shape and his kick game offers a huge amount to the lion.
12. Bandiaki, Ireland (center)
Regan: Answered all the questions around him before the Six Nations. He’s always reliable, his balls run with the Wallabies on the edge.
Hamilton: If the Sione Tuipulotu is compatible, this is another position where there is ambiguity until the first test. It’s between Aki and Twiplots for the Lions inside the centre shirt.
13. Foo Jones (center) in Scotland
Regan: Jones stepped up for Scotland to not have Sione Twiplots, running through the mid-well and claimed himself as a strong candidate starting in the summer.
Hamilton: He has had a great season both in the club and in the country and needs to pip a pip Garry Ring Rose for this shirt.
14. Tommy Freeman, UK (Winger)
Regan: Freeman scored every match, really got a chance with the Six Nations, continuing his shape in Premiership and Europe.
Hamilton: His hat trick against Northampton against Rainster once again showed why he is world class if you have any doubts
15. Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn (Fullback)
Regan: It deserves a chance to take the biggest stage. His pace is electric and can be paired well with Russell and Jones.
Hamilton: A little ahead of both Tom Jordan and Hugo Keenan for this spot. Much of his Lions’ outlook depends on how his club’s side Toulouse will fare in the final suffering of the season, as it directs when he can link with the Lions.
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