"Itoje as captain" - Will Greenwood picks his ‘forgotten England man’ in his 2025 Lions XV

Tuesday, 20 February 2024 at 15:12

byRugby Rucker

Pacy backs and hard-hitting forwards - England legend Will Greenwood has named his 2025 British and Irish Lions team to face Australia.

The Lions' comprehensive nine-match itinerary has been confirmed, commencing on Wednesday, 2 July, with a match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. This will be the Lions' first visit to Australia since their victorious 2-1 series in 2013.

Notably, the Lions will benefit from the longest preparation period for a tour in recent history, thanks to the cooperation of Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship. As part of their preparations, the Lions will also engage in a warm-up match against a combined Australia and New Zealand side in Adelaide.

British & Irish Lions

@lionsofficial

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This is going to be the ultimate Tour 🦁🇦🇺

8:03 AM · Jul 19, 2023

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Seeking their first tour triumph since defeating the Wallabies a decade ago, the Lions are determined to make this tour a success. Their previous tour saw them narrowly lose 2-1 in South Africa, following a tied series in New Zealand in 2017. Unfortunately, the 2021 matches against the Springboks were played behind closed doors due to pandemic restrictions, preventing spectators from attending.

Ieuan Evans, chairman of the British and Irish Lions, expressed his excitement, stating that Lions tours to Australia have always been memorable and the 2025 tour promises to be no exception. Furthermore, the British and Irish Lions are actively exploring the possibility of organizing their inaugural Lions Women’s Tour, following positive outcomes from a feasibility study.

Will Greenwood: 2025 Lions XV, picked in 2021

#BACK-THREE:

15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
11. Adam Radwan (England)

Greenwood on Radwan: "The Newcastle Falcon might be raw, but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. We’ve seen Cheslin Kolbe hot-step his way to a series-clinching try; Radwan could do the same."

Greenwood on Rees-Zammit: "The Welshman saw his opportunities limited on the tour to South Africa but in the short periods he did feature you could tell there was a star in the making."

Our selection: Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Adam Radwan (England), Freddie Steward (England)

#CENTRES:

13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
12. Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

Greenwood on Redpath: "I am convinced that Redpath would have toured South Africa this year were it not for the serious knee injury sustained while in action for Bath."

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Our selection: Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

#HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (England)
9. Tomos Williams (Wales)

Greenwood on Smith: "He only had time for one appearance, but the outrageous, audacious manner in which he inspired Harlequins to their second Premiership title proves he is developing wonderfully. By 2025, he could be one of the world’s best fly-halves."

Our selection: Marcus Smith (England), Jamie Robie (Scotland)

#FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (England)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland)

Greenwood on Genge: "With the ball in hands, Genge offers a threat that no other loosehead can match – he is unique in that regard – and still might have made a surprising impact in South Africa."

Our selection:Ellis Genge (England), Alfie Barbeary (England), Andrew Porter (Ireland)

#SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje (England, captain)
5. Adam Beard (Wales)

Greenwood on Itoje: "As things stand, there is simply no one else who could captain this side. Australia will be his third Lions tour and he will be just 30 in 2025. Itoje could quite easily match Alun Wyn Jones and play on four straight tours – and 12 straight Tests. Comfortably the Lions’ best player in South Africa."

Our selection: Maro Itoje (England), James Ryan (Ireland)

#BACK-ROW:

6. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)

Greenwood on Ritchie: "Ritchie has looked the real deal for Scotland for a few seasons now. He is a trusty option at the lineout, he has pace to burn and, most importantly, has a top engine. He is a pest at the breakdown, too. There is a real chance that Scotland can build on their recent successes in the next four years – and Ritchie will be at the heart of that."

Greenwood on Curry: "Curry was not at his World Cup best in South Africa, but he was not far off. People forget he is still just 23-years-old and that he is only going to get better. And no other 2021 Lions openside will be in the mix come 2025."