Andy Farrell Breaks Down Lions XV Selection, Addresses Finn Russell Omission
Rugby NewsWednesday, 18 June 2025 at 18:13
The first match day squad of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour has been confirmed, with head coach Andy Farrell nailing down his picks for the opening Test. The Lions play Argentina this Friday, 20th June, in Dublin's Aviva Stadium, and Farrell has assembled an all-star cast for the clash with Los Pumas.
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However, this squad does not include any players from Leinster, Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby, as the United Rugby Championship and Premiership finalists undergo a stand-down from on-field action after last weekend's title deciders.
12 players from Leinster have joined the fray in only a training capacity, alongside the Bath duo of Finn Russell and Will Stuart and Leicester Tigers lock Ollie Chessum.
The selected squad is chomping at the bit for the opening whistle, as the Lions take on Argentina with the 1888 Cup on the line. The Lions recently wrapped up a five-day training camp in Portugal, and are currently completing their pre-match preparations in the Irish capital. Head coach Andy Farrell and his captain Maro Itoje spoke with the media today, to address the decisions behind the first XV of the tour.
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD TO FACE ARGENTINA
15. Marcus Smith 14. Tommy Freeman 13. Sione Tuipulotu 12. Bundee Aki 11. Duhan van der Merwe 10. Fin Smith 9. Alex Mitchell 1. Ellis Genge 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie 3. Finlay Bealham 4. Maro Itoje (C) 5. Tadhg Beirne 6. Tom Curry 7. Jac Morgan 8. Ben Earl
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher 17. Pierre Schoeman 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. Scott Cummings 20. Henry Pollock 21. Tomos Williams 22. Elliot Daly 23. Mack Hansen
1. Injury update on Lions squad as Jamison Gibson-Park is ruled out of Argentina Test
A key order of business was sorted out right away, with Andy Farrell providing an injury update to his squad. Having gone for a scan to assess the severity of a glute injury, Leinster and Ireland scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park will miss the opening match of the tour. England's Jack van Poortvliet was called up to cover the halfback in recent training sessions, yet the Leicester Tigers man will not progress on for a Lions debut just yet.
Farrell also provided an update to the injury status of centre Huw Jones, fullback Hugo Keenan and prop Tadhg Furlong. All three of the Lions players have been on the mend from injury set-backs, with the projection for a return to full-fitness still on track for the trip to Australia. Furlong has been named on the bench for Friday's Test, with Farrell hopeful to see the tight-head back in action.
ANDY FARRELL: "Good news on most of the injuries, actually, they're all a week or so away from being fit. We didn't quite know until Jamison got another scanm Monday night I think. That was pretty positive as well. So Jack [van Poortvliet] comes over as cover for this game. Jamison should be up and running for the week after.
"Huw Jones has trained with us this week, and he's been back into full training, so that's great. Hugo Keenan ran for the first time a couple of days ago. Everything's going pretty well as far as that's concerned. And there's always one or two bumps and bruises that you're you're trying to nurse but the nature of rugby within itself. So, we're in good shape."
"Well, he's [Tadhg Furlong] fit, and ready to go and train well. And he's as keen as everyone else to get the show on the road."
"You have all the best plans for a game of rugby. You’ve got to be ready from minute one or you roll with the punches. You may want to get someone [Tadhg Furlong] on after 50 or 55 minutes but that might not come to fruition and they might only get five minutes at the end. It is what it is. Everyone understands that."
2. "It is what they dream of" - 14 Players could make their Lions debut this Friday
From a Lions perspective, Andy Farrell has fielded a rather inexperienced side for the first Test of the tour. From the selected 23 man squad that will battle it out against Los Pumas on Friday, 14 of the players could earn their respective debuts for the iconic touring side.
Just nine players in the squad have previously earned their iconic Lions number, with the following set of stars back for another run in the red jersey:
Tadhg Furlong #818, Elliot Daly #822, Maro Itoje #825, Bundee Aki #837, Tadhg Beirne #838, Duhan van der Merwe #841, Luke Cowan-Dickie #851, Tom Curry #853, Marcus Smith #855
ANDY FARRELL: "It is what they dream of. You can tell with the buzz in the group, what it means to them and the excitement around the place, it just shows what it means. We have seen it in the preparation, how diligent they have been, how quickly they have come together as a group and the bond they have got already in a short space of time.
"Best foot forward and all that, it is all about the performance on Friday night. That is how we are going to get judged, how we want to do the shirt proud and represent the group properly on Friday night."
"The exciting thing about Friday night is that these guys get to show their team-mates what they’re all about and draw a line in the sand. Because ultimately what happens on these tours is that all these guys are after is earning the respect of one another.
"I’m sure World rugby will be watching this to see how Argentina and ourselves perform. But all our guys are trying to do is impress each other first and foremost. If we can get that competitive nature throughout and combine that with the bonding we’ve already seen, it’s not a bad result."
3. "A Dominant Partnership" - Farrell is excited to unleash Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu in the centres
Every Lions fan has at one point fantasy picked their team for the upcoming tour of Australia, with one of the most sort-after partnerships set to be unleashed this Friday. The two-man wrecking crew of Ireland's Bundee Aki and Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu is set to leave the Argentine defense black and blue by the end of the clash in Dublin.
Farrell is as excited as any fan to see how his monstrous back-line will work together, having seen the Connacht and Glasgow Warriors partnership showcase some bright sparks in recent Lions training camps.
ANDY FARRELL: [I'm hoping to see] Probably the same as what you're hoping to see. A dominant partnership, but we know that we're coming up against a side who are pretty good in those type of positions as well, you know.
"So, they've [Aki and Tuipulotu] been great. Getting on the same page, sharing each other's strengths and weaknesses, etc, and trying to get across what is a new system to everyone. So very diligent and excited to see that partnership, along with a few others."
4. 'Engine room experience' - Maro Itoje is full of praise for his fellow starting lock Tadhg Beirne
The second row of Andy Farrell's Lions squad is arguably his best possible option, as England and Saracens captain Maro Itoje will earn the accolade of leading the Lions out for a Test match. Itoje is partnered in the row by Tadhg Beirne of Ireland, Munster and the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa.
Itoje expressed how he is delighted to be back working with the Munster stalwart, as the pair first packed down the scrum together against the Springboks three years prior. The Lions skipper revealed how the two locks have been roommates earlier upon the Portugal training camp, yet captain's privileges have since handed Itoje a private room for his stay in Dublin.
MARO ITOJE: "I’m really enjoying spending time with Tadhg. I spent a bit of time with him on the last tour. We built a good relationship and it’s been amazing we’ve been able to continue that. He’s a fantastic player. He has a level of physicality that’s really impressive. I’ve been impressed with his leadership and how he is around the boys in a very calm and mature way."
5. Focus upon Argentina - Farrell recognises the calibre of the opponents in Dublin - 'the 5th best team in the world'
Whilst an understandable majority of the pre-match build up has been centred around the Lions squad, there is no underestimating the strength of their opponents for Friday's curtain raiser. Argentina are by no means in Dublin to make up the numbers, as Los Pumas are out to take the Lions' scalp, having defeated the All Blacks, South Africa and Australia in recent Rugby Championship meetings.
Argentina are currently ranked fifth in the world [one higher than England], and reached the Bronze Final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Boasting Premeirship headliners like Santi Carreras [Gloucester], Julian Montoya [formerly Leicester Tigers] and Juan Martin Gonzalez Samso [Saracens], the South American side is set to lay down a marker, before then hosting England for a two-match series in July.
ANDY FARRELL: "I don’t think there are many surprises as far as that’s concerned. They’re a well-drilled, well organised team that’s been playing some fantastic rugby – certainly over the last 18 months. Fifth in the world and beating everyone in their path shows where they’re at.
"We realise as well just how special this is for them and what a privilege it is to be here at the Aviva with the Lions playing their first game in Ireland. It’s a special occasion and it's great they’re coming to the party."
EDITORS PICKS:
- “Totally expected” – Fans all have the same complaint about Andy Farrell’s first Lions XV
- Lions team to play Argentina: Andy Farrell names his XV
- Statement: Gloucester confirms the signing of All Blacks forward
- Joost van der Westhuizen’s son is following in his legendary fathers footsteps
- “Complete shambles” – Five Players Who Should Be in the Lions Squad
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