British & Irish Lions' Australia Tour Starting XV: Expert Picks and Analysis

ESPN writers weigh in on the British & Irish Lions' starting XV for the Australia tour.

1. Ellis Genge, England (prop) The England man narrowly edges out Andrew Porter. Nicky Smith is also in contention.

2. Dan Sheehan, Ireland (hooker) Had a strong Six Nations and has been scoring in club rugby. Jamie George and others provide competition.

3. Will Stuart, England (prop) The England tight-head has improved significantly over the past year and is closely contested with Tadhg Furlong.

4. Maro Itoje, England (lock) Itoje is a certainty and could potentially captain if Caelan Doris is unavailable.

5. Tadgh Beirne, Ireland (lock) Works well with Itoje, with Ollie Chessum among those challenging for a spot.

6. Tom Curry, England (flanker) An influential player in the Six Nations and a Test Lion for sure.

7. Jac Morgan, Wales (flanker) A standout in a tough Six Nations for Wales, but there are multiple strong candidates.

8. Caelan Doris, Ireland (No. 8) Fit, it's his shirt; if not, others come into contention.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park, Ireland (scrum-half) Still a key player despite Leinster's weekend result.

10. Finn Russell, Scotland (fly-half) The best available fly-half, but Johnny Sexton's influence is yet to be determined.

11. James Lowe, Ireland (winger) In fine form and offers a lot with his kicking game.

12. Bundee Aki, Ireland (centre) Reliable and his ball running poses a threat; Sione Tuipulotu's fitness could change things.

13. Huw Jones, Scotland (centre) Had an outstanding season and edges out Garry Ringrose.

14. Tommy Freeman, England (winger) Performed well in the Six Nations and continues to shine in domestic competitions.

15. Blair Kinghorn, Scotland (fullback) Deserves a chance with his electric pace and combination skills.

What to Read Next

Wallabies Triumph in Thrilling Sydney Showdown Against British and Irish Lions
Rugby

Wallabies Triumph in Thrilling Sydney Showdown Against British and Irish Lions

The Wallabies secured a dramatic victory over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney, overcoming a weather delay to win 22-12 and avoid a series sweep.

Wallabies Triumph Over British and Irish Lions in Thrilling Third Test Clash
Rugby

Wallabies Triumph Over British and Irish Lions in Thrilling Third Test Clash

In a gripping third Test, Australia's Wallabies secured a 22-12 victory against the British and Irish Lions, ending their hopes of a series whitewash.

British and Irish Lions vs. Australia: Epic Showdown in the Third Test
Rugby

British and Irish Lions vs. Australia: Epic Showdown in the Third Test

The British and Irish Lions aim for a series clean sweep against Australia in the thrilling third Test in Sydney. Key players and strategies highlighted.

Historic Pursuit: British and Irish Lions Aim for Test Whitewash Against Australia
Rugby

Historic Pursuit: British and Irish Lions Aim for Test Whitewash Against Australia

The British and Irish Lions, led by Andy Farrell, are on the verge of making history by aiming for a Test whitewash against Australia.

Wallabies Face Historic Challenge Amid Injury Crisis Ahead of Lions Decider
Rugby

Wallabies Face Historic Challenge Amid Injury Crisis Ahead of Lions Decider

The Wallabies face a historic challenge against the British and Irish Lions amidst a severe injury crisis, with key players sidelined for the decisive third Test.

Will Skelton Eyes 2027 Rugby World Cup: Wallabies' Star Lock's Future in Focus
Rugby

Will Skelton Eyes 2027 Rugby World Cup: Wallabies' Star Lock's Future in Focus

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt discusses Will Skelton's potential to play until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, amidst uncertainties about his immediate Test future.

Wallabies Gear Up for Epic Showdown Against British and Irish Lions in Final Test
Rugby

Wallabies Gear Up for Epic Showdown Against British and Irish Lions in Final Test

The Wallabies face the British and Irish Lions in a thrilling final Test, with key player changes and a sold-out stadium setting the stage for an unforgettable rugby clash.

British and Irish Lions vs. Australia: Ultimate Showdown for Series Whitewash
Rugby

British and Irish Lions vs. Australia: Ultimate Showdown for Series Whitewash

The British and Irish Lions aim for a historic 3-0 series sweep against Australia in the final Test. Get all the details on where to watch, team news, and match insights.

Lions' Dramatic Victory at MCG Seals Series Win Over Wallabies
Rugby

Lions' Dramatic Victory at MCG Seals Series Win Over Wallabies

The British and Irish Lions clinched a thrilling series victory over Australia with a last-minute try by Hugo Keenan at the MCG.

England's Experienced Squad Aims for Glory in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
Rugby

England's Experienced Squad Aims for Glory in the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

England's Red Roses, led by coach John Mitchell, announce a seasoned 32-player squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, aiming to reclaim the title on home soil.

Controversial Clean-out Overshadows Wallabies vs Lions Epic Clash
Rugby

Controversial Clean-out Overshadows Wallabies vs Lions Epic Clash

A controversial clean-out by Jac Morgan during the Wallabies vs British and Irish Lions match sparks global debate on rugby's head contact rules.

Lions' Epic Comeback: Breaking Down the Series-Clinching Victory Against Australia
Rugby

Lions' Epic Comeback: Breaking Down the Series-Clinching Victory Against Australia

Relive the British & Irish Lions' thrilling 29-26 comeback win over Australia in Melbourne, featuring standout performances and key moments.

Controversial Clean-Out Decides Lions' Series Victory Over Wallabies
Rugby

Controversial Clean-Out Decides Lions' Series Victory Over Wallabies

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt criticizes the legality of Jac Morgan's clean-out in a dramatic series-deciding match against the British and Irish Lions.

Thrilling Last-Minute Victory: British and Irish Lions Triumph Over Australia in Test Series
Rugby

Thrilling Last-Minute Victory: British and Irish Lions Triumph Over Australia in Test Series

The British and Irish Lions secured a dramatic 29-26 victory over Australia with a last-minute try, clinching the Test series in Melbourne.

Wallabies vs Lions: Strategies and Key Players for the Decisive Second Test
Rugby

Wallabies vs Lions: Strategies and Key Players for the Decisive Second Test

Explore the strategies and key players as the Wallabies aim to level the series against the Lions in a crucial second Test in Melbourne.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.