Lions - Six Nations 2025 Auditions

[BPM]

If Farrell goes for a bigger squad, I could see a couple of sentimental picks in there for Owen, Healy and O’Mahoney. Possibly Lawes too. I wouldn’t agree with any of them though.

 

[General Melchett]

I think picking Owen would be a PR disaster. With the squad being announced in front of 3k fans at the O2 it wouldn't shock me if there were audible boos. If he's hell bent on taking him better that he's a late call up with some cover story about needing more cover at 10/12.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

That will be interesting to see if Faz Senior picks his son (I have no idea how he is playing in France atm). But that would surely impact the dynamic of the squad and put in the minds of the rest of the squad that whether he’s going to pick on merit from the start.

 

[BPM]

His move to Racing has been a disaster. Absolutely no way he could be picked on merit.

 

[AlRums]

OK, so post tournament overview:

Ireland weren't quite as good as they have been, I still expect them to dominate selection but it's not as clear cut as it might have been.

England and Scotland have had good individual performers that will have given Farrell food for thought. Some whose stock has risen, some who have potentially played their way out of contention.

Wales … sadly, I can't see how anyone has made a case for being selected. Morgan is the only one close to being in contention but unfortunately for him, he plays in one of the most hotly contested positions. Conversely, Tomos Williams and possibly even Blair Murray could be wildcards due to relative lack of options at 9 and 15.

My squad:

1. Porter / Genge / Schoeman
2. Sheehan / Kelleher / George
3. Furlong* / Stuart / Bealham (Fagerson)
4. Itoje / Ryan
5. Beirne / McCarthy / Chessum
6. T. Curry / Ritchie
7. Van der Flier / Darge
8. Doris / Conan / Earl
9. Gibson-Park / Mitchell / Williams
10. Russell / F. Smith / Prendergast
11. Lowe / van der Merwe
12. Aki / Henshaw / Tuipolotu* (Jordan)
13. Jones / Ringrose
14. Hansen / Graham / Freeman
15. Keenan / Kinghorn / Jordan** (M. Smith)

*Injury permitting
**Utility back

With post-tournament clarity, I didn't find it that hard to pick TBH.

Most contentious slots for me are 7 (Darge vs. Morgan), 9 (Williams vs. White), utility back (Jordan vs. M. Smith).

Ireland: 19
England: 10
Scotland: 9
Wales: 1

No argument over that from me, other than White over both Mitchell and Williams at 9

 

[BPM]

It’s a tight call. I think at his best, Mitchell is better than White. However, I’d argue that White is currently in better form. 10/10 for simulation anyway

Still - with a couple of months until the squad is named, that could change.

 

[General Melchett]

I don't think I could handle a Lions squad with both Lowe's hairline and Mitchell's face.

 

[Ddanno]

If Owen goes I will kick the **** off

 

[McTallshort]

I don't think I could handle a Lions squad with both Lowe's hairline and Mitchell's face.

Yeah but Lowe is on form...still a twat

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Farrell looks likely to overlook England coaches for his British Lions staff

Steve Borthwick said none of his backroom team have been approached, with England coaches set to miss out for a second straight Lions tour

www.theguardian.com

 

[BrokenWing]

Shocker

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

That will hurt our players chances unfortunately.

 

[AlRums]

Farrell looks likely to overlook England coaches for his British Lions staff

Steve Borthwick said none of his backroom team have been approached, with England coaches set to miss out for a second straight Lions tour

www.theguardian.com

Considering all the complaints I have heard on here it's not surprising

 

[IT157]

With a lot of uncertainty at flyhalf, I could see George Ford as a selection to be honest.

 

[Ddanno]

That will hurt our players chances unfortunately.

Might get a summer off instead of the ancient traditional nonsense

(scrap the Lions tours it's ********)

 

[AlRums]

Might get a summer off instead of the ancient traditional nonsense

(scrap the Lions tours it's ********)

There's still an England tour, isn't there?

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Might get a summer off instead of the ancient traditional nonsense

(scrap the Lions tours it's ********)

I love the lions. It's a brilliant spectacle only ruined recently by Gatland.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Yeh I am also old school. Loved the Lions since my first tour 1997. Putting aside differences and rivalries for one tour every 4 years and being the best of British and Irish is what it’s all about. Then afterwards go back to the factions.

Yeh, it probably impacts those countries players chances at the next WCs. But that’s one of the trade offs.

 

[Geordie]

There's still an England tour, isn't there?

There is indeed.

 

[BMatt]

With a lot of uncertainty at flyhalf, I could see George Ford as a selection to be honest.

It's the selection I want more than any other.