Wales Online Sports – The most likely 37-man Lions squad to be selected
As the anticipation for Andy Farrell’s announcement of the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia grows, it seems that Wales may face a reduced presence in the team following their recent string of 17 successive Test defeats. With the weight of a second consecutive wooden spoon finish in the Six Nations, Wales could be heading towards their smallest touring representation in nearly a century.
Looking back to 1993, when only five Welsh players were included in the initial Lions squad – Tony Clement, Ieuan Evans, Scott Gibbs, Robert Jones, and Richard Webster, the prospect of Welshmen on the tour remains uncertain. Historically, Scotland has had limited representation on Lions tours, with only two players selected in 2009 and 2017. The question arises whether Wales will match or even fall below these numbers or face the unprecedented scenario of having no Welsh players on the tour, which has not occurred since 1936 when the team visited Argentina after winning the Home Nations championship.
Amidst the speculation and uncertainty, discussions are bubbling up around the likely composition of the Lions squad set to be revealed on May 8. The front row is predicted to feature the likes of Andrew Porter (Ireland), Ellis Genge (England), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Zander Fagerson (Scotland), and Will Stuart (England). Although Nicky Smith has shown his Test quality, the competition in this position may prove challenging for his inclusion in the final squad.
In the hooker position, names such as Dan Sheehan and Ronan Kelleher from Ireland, along with Dewi Lake from Wales, are being considered. Dewi Lake’s absence during part of the Six Nations could play in his favour as he vies for a spot against tough competitors like Jamie George. The second row could see Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Ollie Chessum (England), and Scott Cummings (Scotland) making the cut, with Maro Itoje likely as a captaincy favourite.
The back row remains a challenging area to predict, with contenders like Caelan Doris (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Ben Earl (England), Jac Morgan (Wales), Jack Conan (Ireland), and Jamie Ritchie (Scotland) all in the mix. Jac Morgan’s outstanding performance in the Six Nations may secure his position, while the final selection between other strong candidates hangs in the balance.
Moving to the scrum-half lineup, familiar names such as Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland), Alex Mitchell (England), and Tomos Williams (Wales) are anticipated to feature. The fly-half position could see players like Finn Russell (Scotland), Fin Smith (England), and Marcus Smith (England) being chosen, with Marcus Smith’s inclusion dependant on Farrell’s preference for playmakers.
In the centres, Bundee Aki (Ireland), Huw Jones (Scotland), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), and Tom Jordan (Scotland) are expected to make the squad. The back-three could feature James Lowe (Ireland), Darcy Graham (Scotland), Tommy Freeman (England), Mack Hansen (Ireland), Hugo Keenan (Ireland), and Blair Kinghorn (Scotland), with tough decisions to be made regarding the final selection.
As the Lions squad announcement date approaches, the rugby world eagerly awaits the unveiling of the 37-man team that will carry the hopes and aspirations of fans across the British Isles. With the dynamics of team composition shaping up to reflect the recent performances and standout players, the selection process is expected to be closely followed and analysed by enthusiasts and experts alike. Stay tuned for further updates and insights into the composition of this highly anticipated Lions squad.