As the British & Irish Lions ramp up preparations for their highly anticipated showdown against the AU-NZ XV, selection battles are heating up across the park. With Test places on the line for the upcoming series against Australia, standout performances in this match could shape the spine of Andy Farrell’s starting XV.
From wing duels featuring the electric Marika Koroibete and Duhan van der Merwe, to midfield rivalries pitting Scotland’s Huw Jones against a seasoned All Black like David Havili, this clash promises fireworks and a glimpse into the Lions’ Test series future.
Battle 1: Number Eight - Hoskins Sotutu vs Ben Earl
A huge outing awaits both men as they jostle for prominence in the back row. For Ben Earl, this clash feels like a tipping point. The England dynamo has started for the Lions against the Waratahs, and came off the bench against the Reds, but the trademark bite, pace, and physicality that fans are used to from the Six Nations haven’t fully surfaced yet in Lions red.
He’s been solid, but unspectacular, and with Jack Conan building momentum as the Test starter at No.8, Earl must explode into life if he wants to reclaim pole position. The door swung upon to Earl following Caelan Doris’ injury absence ahead of the tour, yet the Saracen needs one barn-storming performance in the red of the Lions to stamp his authority down upon the Test match squad.
Opposite him, Hoskins Sotutu is an immense presence. The Auckland-born Blues star was the standout No.8 in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, as the top try-scorer, offload king, and named Player of the Year by both his club and the competition. A former All Black with 14 caps, Sotutu is on the comeback trail and a dominant performance here could reignite his international future.
Sotutu reportedly turned down an 'early exit' clause in his latest Blues contract, which keeps him upon New Zealand's North Island until 2026. This all but exstinguishes the rumours of a potential nation switch away from New Zealand, with speculation that a frustrated Sotutu may turn away from the All Blacks for either England or Fiji, in which he is both eligible through ancestory.
Battle 2: Wings - Marika Koroibete & AJ Lam vs Duhan van der Merwe & Mack Hansen
Two Lions flyers face a pair of Pacific-born powerhouses in one of the most mouth-watering match-ups of the tour so far. Duhan van der Merwe is one of the best finishers in world rugby and has already crossed the whitewash against the Reds, yet the Flying Scotsman still has plenty to prove ahead of Test selection.
A Test Lion from 2021 and Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer, he’s built a fearsome reputation through his blend of pace, power, and prolific output, with a habit of scoring world-class tries against England. While Tommy Freeman and James Lowe are the front-runners for Lions Test win berths, the South Africa-born powerhouse will be eager to muscle his way back into the conversation.
Alongside him, Mack Hansen is yet to make a major splash in Lions colours. The Australian-born Ireland international is back on home soil and has featured against the Western Force and Waratahs without scoring. But Hansen’s true threat lies in his intelligence, roaming playmaking, and instinct, qualities that earned him Six Nations Grand Slam glory and cult status in the emerald green of Ireland.
For the Invitational XV, Wallabies icon Marika Koroibete needs no introduction. A dual-code international who has been plying his trade with the Wild Knights out in the Japan Rugby League One since 2021, Koroibete remains a lethal threat on the international stage. Powerful, relentless, and battle-hardened, he will be relishing a chance to remind the rugby world he still belongs at the very top.
On the other wing, AJ Lam is an emerging talent with a rich rugby pedigree. He is the son of Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam and the younger brother to established professional rugby players Ben and Jack. The uncapped Blues wing has impressed in Super Rugby and made an All Blacks XV debut against Japan in 2023.
A strong performance against the Lions could be his breakout moment, that could get the ball rolling upon his All Blacks career. Four very different wingers, each with a unique path and each with a point to prove, this is going to be a barnstorming battle along the touchlines.
Battle 3: Centres - David Havili & Ngani Laumape vs Huw Jones & Sione Tuipulotu
The midfield battle is set to be a defining clash in this high-stakes showdown, pitting the raw power and precision of the British & Irish Lions’ David Havili and Ngani Laumape against the dynamic Scottish duo of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. Both partnerships bring unique strengths and plenty of firepower, promising a captivating contest in the centre of the park.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the fierce centre rivalry within the Lions squad itself, as Scotland’s Jones and Tuipulotu are out to prove themselves over Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. Andy Farrell has established such intra-squad competition, with the intensity ramping up to decipher the Test centres for the series against Australia. The Irish-Scottish axis of Aki-Tuipulotu or Jones-Ringrose looks gone for now, with Farrell running out his Emerald Islanders against the Brumbies, with the Scotsmen now set for their Test adutions against the combined AU-NZ side.
Huw Jones has established himself as one of Scotland’s most lethal attacking weapons. His pace, vision, and instinctive attacking flair have made him a constant threat, with 23 tries placing him among Scotland’s all-time top scorers. Jones’ blend of creativity and defensive solidity will be crucial in unlocking the combined efforts of the Australia-New Zealand defence.
Sione Tuipulotu burst onto the international scene in 2021, and the Melbourne-born centre has developed into Scotland’s midfield cornerstone and captain. His powerful ball-carrying, sharp footwork, and tactical awareness helped Glasgow Warriors clinch the 2024 United Rugby Championship, in an unforgettable trip down to South Africa. Now fully fit, Tuipulotu is back upon his homeland, but has not yet crossed the whitewash for the Lions. Plenty on the line for Tuipulotu, as the countdown to the Test series continues in Adelaide.
Opposing them, David Havili offers the Lions a blend of versatility, composure, and experience. The Crusaders captain has become a stalwart for the All Blacks with over 35 caps and six Super Rugby titles to his name. Known for his commandeering of the back-line and reliable link play, Havili can adapt to multiple positions and is a calming influence in tight moments, helping to orchestrate attacks and shore up defence alike.
Complementing Havili’s finesse, Ngani Laumape brings sheer physicality and dynamic ball-carrying. Nicknamed the “Mini Bus” for his direct running and destructive power, Laumape’s journey from rugby league star to Super Rugby powerhouse, alongside his club experiences in France and Japan, has moulded him into a formidable force. His ability to break tackles and gain crucial metres will challenge Tuipulotu’s midfield dominance for an intriguing collision between two unstoppable forces.
