From Mike Gibson in the 60s and 70s to the heroics of Jonathan Davies 12 years ago, via Jeremy Guscott’s series-winning drop goal in 1997, centres have been integral to the success of The British & Irish Lions down the years.

Whether it is a powerful ball carrier or a second playmaker, those in the centres have an important job to play against the Wallabies.

In the next part of our series looking at the Lions contenders (check out the props, hookers, second row, back row and half-backs here), we are working through the centres in the mix.

Here is the lowdown:

PREVIOUS TOURISTS

A pair of Ireland internationals will be looking to make it back onto the plane after being selected to tour South Africa four years ago.

Bundee Aki was something of a surprise inclusion four years ago, having only featured in one game of that year’s Six Nations, but he has cemented his position as a key man for Ireland in the four years since and will be hoping for another chance with the Lions.

Robbie Henshaw, meanwhile, is looking to make it onto a third Tour having previously been to New Zealand and South Africa.

As well as those two, one man pushing to get back on the Lions is Manu Tuilagi, who went to Australia back in 2013 and has been in fine form for Bayonne this season.

FIRST-TIME TOURISTS

While injury has kept him sidelined for much of 2025, Sione Tuipulotu had been in flying form for both Glasgow Warriors and Scotland pre-injury and will hope that was enough to earn a spot on his first Lions Tour.

His club and international centre partner Huw Jones has continued to impress even without Tuipulotu and could be in line for a place in the squad.

Rounding out the Glasgow contingent, the versatile Tom Jordan is capable of covering fly-half, inside centre and full-back at the highest level, a valuable skill in a Lions squad where you could be called upon to play in an unfamiliar position at short notice.

Alongside that trio, Ireland’s Garry Ringrose will be hoping this is his year, having missed out on inclusion four years ago.

From an English perspective, Henry Slade and Fraser Dingwall both had big roles to play in a second-place finish in the Six Nations, while Wales’s Max Llewellyn has enjoyed a fine first season for Gloucester.