Warren Gatland, the former Wales head coach and veteran of the British & Irish Lions team, has recently revealed his selection for the upcoming Lions tour to Australia. Gatland, known for his success with the Lions in 2013 against Australia, has chosen his starting XV for the summer series, with just one Welshman making the cut. The tour will be led by Ireland’s Andy Farrell in 2025, marking a significant change as Gatland steps away from coaching the team for the first time since 2009.
In his selection, Gatland opted for Jac Morgan as the sole Welsh representative in the starting XV. The New Zealand coach also named Ireland’s Caelan Doris as the captain of the team, favouring him over England’s Maro Itoje. Gatland explained that his choices were based on the idea of a Test match against Australia happening imminently and mentioned that the availability of certain players like Sione Tuipulotu and Tadhg Furlong might alter his team selection.
For the front row, Gatland went with Ireland’s Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan, alongside England’s Will Stuart. He highlighted Porter’s scrummaging power and technical improvements, as well as the synergy between Sheehan and Porter from playing together at club and international levels. Gatland praised Stuart for his growth and performance during the recent Six Nations.
In the second row, Gatland picked Itoje and Joe McCarthy for their combination of skills and physicality. He commended Itoje for his performance in engaging with referees during the Six Nations and noted McCarthy’s robust playing style as pivotal in his selection over other contenders.
The back row features England’s Tom Curry, Wales’ Jac Morgan, and Ireland’s Caelan Doris as the captain. Gatland highlighted Doris’ consistency and relationship with Farrell as key factors in his decision. He acknowledged the competition in the number eight position but ultimately went with Doris for his leadership and form.
Gatland’s chosen back three consists of Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, and Duhan van der Merwe. He explained that Keenan’s consistent displays earned him the spot over Blair Kinghorn, while Lowe’s abilities on the field, especially with his kicking, were valuable for the team. Van der Merwe’s physical presence and threat in the wide channels also influenced Gatland’s decision.
In the centre, Gatland selected Huw Jones and Bundee Aki for their abilities to complement each other effectively. He noted that while he would have preferred Tuipulotu, Aki’s capacity to drive the team forward and Jones’ prowess in midfield were essential for the team.
The half-back pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park completes Gatland’s XV. He praised Gibson-Park’s kicking game and Russell’s experience and composure, with Marcus Smith as a notable inclusion on the bench.
Warren Gatland’s selection sets the stage for an exciting Lions tour to Australia, with a mix of experienced players and promising talents ready to showcase their skills on the international stage. Gatland’s choices reflect his strategic thinking and the depth of talent available for the Lions, promising an exhilarating series against Australia in the coming months.