The time for talking is almost over with the first Test in the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia 2025 just days away.
Speculation has been rife for weeks – maybe even months – about who head coach Andy Farrell will select to face the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday. Here are the main talking points…
Front row depth
One area that has gone extremely well for the Lions in Australia has been the scrum, and that has largely been down to the front row asserting dominance, no matter who has been picked.
Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadgh Furlong were selected in the 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies last week and all three players have put forward a strong case to start at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
If that trio do in fact turn out to be the starting front row, Farrell has a tough choice when it comes to who backs them up from the bench.
Despite being a late replacement for the unfortunate Zander Fagerson, Finlay Bealham has excelled at tighthead while on tour and Will Stuart is among the most improved international players in that position in the last 12 months.
Then at hooker, should Sheehan be given the number 2 jersey, Ronan Kelleher looks set to deputise following Luke Cowan-Dickie’s concussion, but don't rule out Jamie George - a player with over 100 international caps and two previous Lions tours under his belt - after his call-up last weekend.
Toughest picks of all
In the back row, Jack Conan’s performances at No.8 whilst Down Under have left the Irishman favourite in that position (although Ben Earl may have something to say about that), but the possibilities are endless in the two flanker positions.
Ollie Chessum has shown his versatility in Australia, and he made a huge case for himself at blindside against the Brumbies, so it could be there rather than the second row that he features should he get the nod to start.
Tadgh Beirne is another who can cover in those positions while at openside, Farrell is spoilt for choice.
Jac Morgan’s player-of-the-match performance against Queensland Reds put him in the running, Tom Curry’s displays have picked up as the weeks have gone on and Josh van der Flier offers dynamism aplenty.
Then there’s the youngest player on the tour, Henry Pollock: someone who doesn’t seem to know the meaning of the term ‘quiet day at the office.’
Midfield balance
Huw Jones appears to be in a very strong position to earn the outside centre jersey after news emerged that Garry Ringrose will not be available for the first Test against Australia due to concussion.
Farrell still faces a tough choice when it comes to who will play at No.12, though.
Jones' Glasgow Warriors and international colleague Sione Tuipulotu would naturally be a good fit, as the two have demonstrated their prowess together on countless occasions, most recently in the Lions’ 48-0 victory over the AUNZ Invitational XV last Saturday.
But Bundee Aki has made himself hard to ignore during the Tour. His ability to make dents through the middle with ball in hand will be crucial in giving Farrell’s side prime attacking platforms.
Last line of defence
Farrell could have done with more luck at full-back in Australia with Elliot Daly forced to withdraw with a fractured forearm after two excellent displays in the No.15 jersey while Hugo Keenan’s time in Australia has been hamstrung by injury and illness.
The jinx looked to have struck again last week when Blair Kinghorn – in his first Lions start at full-back – was forced to limp off after 25 minutes against the Brumbies with a knee injury.
The Lions are hopeful the Scot can recover in time to be in contention for the series opener in Brisbane, but should he not make it, Keenan appears to have shaken off any ring rust if his performance against the AUNZ Invitational XV is anything to go by.
Keenan’s Ireland colleague Jamie Osborne is now another option to be considered after he was called up into the squad following Kinghorn’s knock in Canberra.
Clutch kicker
Owen Farrell being called into the Lions squad two weeks ago generated plenty of interest and the four-time tourist could yet make headlines in the Test series.
The 33-year-old showed his enduring quality when he came on at inside centre against the AUNZ Invitational XV, including the grubber kick that led to Pollock’s try.
It is with the boot that Farrell could prove a crucial factor should the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane prove to be a tight affair.
In 2009 and 2021, the Lions found out to their cost the value of South Africa having a world-class kicker in Morne Steyn on the bench – could Farrell fill the same role this weekend?
