Andy Farrell handed brutal triple blow ahead of Lions squad announcement

Thursday, 08 May 2025 at 10:58

byRugby Rucker

Andy Farrell's Lions squad plans have taken yet another hit, with powerhouse England lock George Martin ruled out of the summer series against Australia.

Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia

The Leicester Tigers enforcer had been heavily tipped for a breakout campaign Down Under, even receiving backing from ex-Lions skipper Sam Warburton, who saw him as a potential bolter for the Test side.

But after an injury-ravaged season battling both knee and shoulder issues, , and , he won’t be fit in time for the Lions or England’s summer tour to Argentina and the USA. A massive blow for both camps.

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Lions' luck runs out: Doris and Hansen also crocked

Martin’s setback is the third major injury blow for Farrell this week, with Ireland’s Caelan Doris, a leading contender to captain the tourists, also going under the knife for a shoulder issue. His Lions dream is now on life support.

It gets worse: livewire wing Mack Hansen has been ruled out for around five weeks with an ankle injury – another headache for a rapidly depleting back-three pool.

Back-three bruisers in the wars

Elsewhere in the backfield, Duhan van der Merwe is fighting to return from an ankle problem, while George Furbank, Blair Kinghorn, and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are all currently sidelined. It's a queue for the treatment table, not the departure lounge.

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Midfield massacre: Lawrence joins lengthy list

It’s not much prettier in midfield. England wrecking ball Ollie Lawrence is out after Achilles surgery, with Scotland duo Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones also on the injury list.

But there is a glimmer of hope: Exeter boss Rob Baxter says Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will be fit for the summer, whether it’s in white or red. At this rate, Farrell might be praying it’s the latter.

Who will make the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad? Latest odds

? BACK-THREE: Scottish Power, Irish Precision

Duhan van der Merwe (1/16) is about as nailed-on as it gets – the Scotland powerhouse leads the market by some distance. He’s joined by two key Irish threats: James Lowe (1/8) and Hugo Keenan (1/5), both firm favourites.

England’s Tommy Freeman (4/9) continues his upward trajectory, while Blair Kinghorn (8/11) brings utility value and flair. Don’t rule out Darcy Graham (2/1) – the pocket rocket could be a dark horse.

? CENTRES: Aki and Jones in Pole Position

No surprises here. Bundee Aki (1/5) has been sensational and looks a shoo-in, while Huw Jones (1/4) is Scotland's best bet in midfield.

Scotland’s dynamic duo of Sione Tuipulotu (2/7) and Huw Jones (1/4) are also on track for selection, while Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw (8/11) must prove his fitness to stay in contention.

? FLY-HALVES: Finn’s to Lose?

Finn Russell (1/10) has the number 10 jersey in his grasp – and the bookies agree. England’s Fin Smith (8/15) is rising fast, while Marcus Smith (8/11) just edges Ireland’s Sam Prendergast, who drops out of the market in this latest update.

? NINES: Neck-and-Neck

It’s tight at scrum-half. Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park (8/11) leads the charge, but Alex Mitchell (11/10) and Tomos Williams (11/10) are breathing down his neck. With form fluctuating, this one’s still wide open.

? PROPS: Irish Domination

There’s no ignoring Tadhg Furlong (1/8) and Andrew Porter (1/7) – both virtually guaranteed. Zander Fagerson (4/11)is Scotland’s main man, while England’s Ellis Genge (4/6) and Fin Baxter (5/6) are right in the mix.

Pierre Schoeman (5/4) is hanging on, but might need a big end to the season.

? HOOKERS: Sheehan Out in Front

Dan Sheehan (1/10) is the clear frontrunner, but Dewi Lake (8/15) is hot on his heels. England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie (6/5) is back in the mix, but will need to stay fit to seal his spot.

? LOCKS: Itoje the Banker

Maro Itoje (1/33) is the biggest lock on the list (pun fully intended). He’s joined by Tadhg Beirne (1/10) and rising Irish star Joe McCarthy (4/6).

England’s Ollie Chessum (8/11) is in the hunt, and George Martin (11/10) isn’t far behind either.

? BACK-ROW: Doris and Earl Lead the Charge

Ireland’s Caelan Doris (1/5) and England’s Ben Earl (1/5) are leading the way. Former World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier (1/3) is another certainty.

England’s Tom Curry (8/15) is close to sealing a spot, while Jack Morgan (4/6) and Jack Willis (6/4) remain outside contenders.

? PROPOSED 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)

Back-Three (6):
Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1

Centres (4):
Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11

Fly-Halves (3):
Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11

Scrum-Halves (3):
Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10

Props (3):
Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4

Hookers (3):
Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5

Locks (5):
Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
George Martin (England) - 11/10

Back-Row (6):
Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
Jack Willis (England) - 6/4

TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?

We've got a belter of a quiz in store, as we challenge you to name EVERY British & Irish Lions tour captain of the past 50 years. We start off our quiz back on the 1974 tour of South Africa, and bring it all the way up to the Lions' latest tour to the land of the Springboks in 2021.

To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!

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