Andy Farrell’s Lions Squad Is Out And These 5 Picks Have Seriously Surprised Fans

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Here are our biggest shocks in the Lions squad. Check out the full 2025 British & Irish Lions squad here.

The big decision to be made before today's announcement was whether to pick the Northampton starlet, and Pollock has made it onto the plane.

The 20-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise with the Saints this season. He played a key role in helping his side to the Champions Cup final and scored twice on his England debut at the Six Nations. On Saturday, Pollock told Ruck he'd be waiting for a call from Andy Farrell, and the Northampton flanker will now be heading down under to carry Bill the Lion throughout the tour.

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The Glasgow man wasn't on many pundits' radars coming into the squad announcement, having missed Scotland's Six Nations campaign with injury. After a season with limited international rugby and a round of 16 exit in the Champions Cup at the hands of Leinster, there were plenty of shocked faces when Cummings was announced in Farrell's squad.

The 28-year-old, who has won 42 caps for his country, joins up with a second row group which some see as the weakest area of the squad. He'll be competing with England pairing Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum, plus Ireland's Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne, for a place in the starting XV.

Some believed Smith had missed out on his chance at a Lions debut after being moved out of England's 10 jersey by his namesake Fin. Farrell, however, has called on the Quins man as the third fly-half in his squad, perhaps valuing the versatility he brings to the side.

The Manila-born back has had a tumultuous year, shifting to full back during the Six Nations and being taken out of the Lions 10 conversation by the emergence of Leinster's Sam Prendergast. However, Ireland coach Farrell has left his man at home and sided with the international experience of the 44-cap England man.

Some could perceive Williams' selection as a political move, knowing that without his presence, there would be just one Welshman in the Lions squad. The Gloucester scrum-half has been directly involved in 15 tries in just 13 Premiership matches, and started all of Wales' matches at the Six Nations.

While many expected to see Toulon and Scotland nine Ben White head down under for Andy Farrell's side, it'll be the 64-cap Williams who backs up Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park and Englishman Alex Mitchell in Australia.

Cowan-Dickie was in solid form for England throughout the Six Nations, but nobody had been touting the Sale man for a big role in Australia this summer. However, the 31-year-old hooker has beaten out compatriot Jamie George and Scotland's Dave Cherry as the third hooker in Farrell's squad.

The former Exeter man, who went on tour in 2021 and even scored a try against Stormers in South Africa, has been in a fierce positional battle with George for the number two shirt at international level. With doubts as to whether he's even the best hooker for England, it's a shock to many to see him make the 38-man roster for this summer's tour.

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