Lions team to play Wallabies: Farrell and Pollock included

Monday, 14 July 2025 at 18:27

byCameron Archibald

Following an impressive 48-0 victory over the AU/NZ Invitational side, RUCK predicts Andy Farrell's 23-man selection for the first Test in Brisbane.

On Thursday, British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell will name his 23-man squad for Saturday's first Test with Australia.

Here at RUCK, we've made predictions of the lineup for this match throughout the build-up, and this is our final and best guess at who will take on the Wallabies on July 19th at Suncorp Stadium.

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15. Hugo Keenan - Leinster & Ireland

This is a selection entirely dependent on Blair Kinghorn's ongoing fitness tests. The Toulouse man is the standout fullback on this tour, but worries over a potential knee injury could take him out of the first Test. It looks like the 28-year-old Scot might not be risked for the first meeting with the Wallabies, so Ireland's Keenan will be expected to take on the starting role at 15.

14. Tommy Freeman - Northampton Saints & England

With so many players fighting for positions when the big games come around, Freeman has consistently been expected to start in Brisbane. Following an excellent season with Northampton and England, the winger has locked down his place on the right thanks to solid showings and underwhelming competition from Mack Hansen & James Lowe.

13. Huw Jones - Glasgow Warriors & Scotland

Possibly the biggest call to be made on this tour is which pairing Farrell will call upon at centre. Ronan O'Gara selected Jones & Bundee Aki - the only combination yet to play together on this tour - in his starting side, but we think Farrell will choose both the Scots. Jones has been so impressive down under when he's featured, and his selection is almost certain given that a concussion will keep Garry Ringrose out of the first Test.

12. Sione Tuipulotu - Glasgow Warriors & Scotland

As mentioned, the Irish pairing is broken for the first time facing the Wallabies, so 'Huw-ipulotu' will be expected to step into the leading role. A settled pairing for club, country and now the Lions, the Scots look to have five players in the backs against Australia.

11. Duhan van der Merwe - Edinburgh & Scotland

After starting slowly on tour, van der Merwe burst into action with a hat-trick against the AU/NZ invitational side. The big Scotsman's scoring pedigree and sudden form have put him in pole position for the left wing against the underwhelming James Lowe and Mack Hansen.

10. Finn Russell - Bath & Scotland

A nailed-on starter, Russell hasn't had huge competition from the Smiths or recent call-up Owen Farrell for the 10 jersey. The Scotland fly-half should benefit further from the Scottish presence across the rest of the backs, but his selection has never really been in doubt.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park - Leinster & Ireland

Another player who was already set to start before the tour began, Gibson-Park is the standout scrum-half at Andy Farrell's disposal. With rivals Alex Mitchell and Ben White probably a step down in quality from the Leinster nine, it's looking like he'll be one of the first names on the team sheet.

1. Andrew Porter - Leinster & Ireland

Lots of predictions seem to have Ellis Genge starting at loosehead, but not for us. The Bristol man has looked off the pace on occasion while playing down under, and the opportunity to have a settled front row that plays together for club and country seems too good for Farrell to pass up. As a result, we're giving Porter the nod over Genge and Edinburgh's Pierre Schoeman.

2. Dan Sheehan - Leinster & Ireland

We were baffled to see Ronan O'Gara's prediction after the most recent warm-up match, with Ronan Kelleher starting over his club teammate Sheehan, who's arguably the best hooker on the planet. Kelleher is a very solid second option, but there's no way to look past the talents of his compatriot - Sheehan starts the first Test.

3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster & Ireland

As mentioned previously, being able to put a full Leinster front row out against the Wallabies will appeal massively to Andy Farrell. Similar to the centre pairing, that cohesion could prove fruitful over mixing and matching with Will Stuart. As a result, three-time tourist Furlong will be bringing his veteran presence to tighthead.

4. Maro Itoje - Saracens & England

Possibly the easiest prediction of the lot, Lions captain Itoje will lead the side out against Australia for the first Test. Even regardless of the captaincy, the Saracens man is the standout player at lock on tour and has had this spot locked down since long before his leadership role was confirmed at the O2 in May.

5. Joe McCarthy - Leinster & Ireland

Born in New York City, McCarthy's excellent form down under means he'll be the first American-born player to represent the Lions in an official Test match. The 24-year-old has been brilliant in contact on both sides of the ball, beating out Ireland teammate Tadhg Beirne, Glasgow second row Scott Cummings and Leicester's Ollie Chessum for a spot in the starting fifteen.

6. Jac Morgan - Ospreys & Wales

The last Welshman standing in the squad, we've got Morgan picked as the favoured blindside for the first Test in Brisbane. High tackle volume, numerous turnovers and a great engine give us reason to pick the Wales captain over Beirne, Chessum, Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

7. Josh van der Flier - Leinster & Ireland

Another player who's shone on this tour, van der Flier is one of eleven players we initially predicted on squad announcement day that we still think starts the first Test. The Leinster flanker had a great season for club and country and has carried that form onto the plane. A definite starter for us at openside.

8. Ben Earl - Saracens & England

Earl has put in some quietly impressive shifts on this tour, giving us reason to catapult him from matchday non-inclusion to Test starter. The Saracens man has been solid while other options at eight, especially Jack Conan, have underwhelmed so far. Still only 27, we get the feeling 2025 won't be Earl's final stint in a Lions jersey.

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher - Leinster & Ireland

With Luke Cowan-Dickie's unorthodox tackle technique rearing its ugly head against the AU/NZ Invitational side, Kelleher's competition at hooker now consists of late call-ups Jamie George and Ewan Ashman. England's George was a shock exclusion in the first place for many, but we get the feeling his time won't come on this tour until the midweek match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV. Kelleher should, therefore, get the nod to back up Dan Sheehan.

17. Pierre Schoeman - Edinburgh & Scotland

This one is probably controversial, with Ellis Genge seen by some as a starter, never mind the bench option. However, we reckon Schoeman brings something different to the side and has the edge over the Bristol Bears prop. One of four so-called 'southern hemisphere Lions' in this squad, South African-born Schoeman is a dependable option to replace Andrew Porter during the first Test.

18. Will Stuart - Bath & England

50-cap England international Stuart might feel hard done by that he probably won't start the first Test - after all, he's been in good form for club and country throughout this season. Sadly, he's a victim of tactical sensibilities and (perhaps some Irish bias) from Andy Farrell and misses out, though he should still make the bench for the Test in Brisbane.

19. Ollie Chessum - Leicester Tigers & England

Chessum is being touted by many for a starting role at blindside on Saturday, but we think he'll be kept back as a versatile impact player. Able to cover both lock and flanker, the Leicester forward is a great option to have off the bench and can make a huge impact for the Lions against the Wallabies.

20. Tadhg Beirne - Munster & Ireland

Similar to Chessum, Beirne can cover the second and back rows, meaning he's a useful player to have in reserve. The Munster man's versatility and international pedigree keep him in the 23-man squad despite his shaky performances in the warm-up matches. Jack Conan, Tom Curry and Scott Cummings could feel massively aggrieved by this selection, but we're just about sticking with Beirne for now.

21. Henry Pollock - Northampton Saints & England

The big call. As mentioned, the Lions have some incredible back rowers at their disposal, especially three-time Test starter and 62-cap England international Curry. All that being said, Henry Pollock has been unbelievable on this tour so far. A massive engine, darting runs and smart carries have earned the 20-year-old's place on the bench for the first Test, with Andy Farrell reverting to his favoured 6-2 split.

22. Alex Mitchell - Northampton Saints & England

The only bench selection that's never been in doubt, Saints nine Mitchell has long been considered the deputy scrum-half option behind Jamison Gibson-Park. Third choice Tomos Williams went home with a hamstring injury, and Scotland's Ben White has been impressive in his two appearances, but not nearly enough to depose the Northampton man. Having appeared in every warm-up match so far, Mitchell will no doubt be in this matchday squad.

23. Owen Farrell - Saracens & England

This one won't be popular with many, but it just makes the most sense. A 6-2 split means versatility in the backs is crucial, and Farrell is the most adaptable option on tour. His inclusion covers fullback, fly-half and centre, with the wings covered by Kinghorn or Keenan should a change be necessary out wide. The Saracens man has had a tough last 12 months, but Saturday should see his old man give Owen Farrell a chance to start his redemption arc off the bench.

QUIZ: Can You Name EVERY Player that has won TWO Rugby World Cups

The 2023 Rugby World Cup saw South Africa become only the second team in history to win the tournament back-to-back (or Bokke to Bokke). The Springboks emulated New Zealand's heroics of 2011 and 2015, and wrote their way into the history books.

Throughout Rugby World Cup's 10 iterations, just South Africa, New Zealand and Australia have won the tournament more than once. South Africa now lead the all-time wins with four, New Zealand have won three and Australia have lifted the Web Ellis trophy twice.

Throughout these triumphs, 44 men's players have been apart of two Rugby World Cup winning squads. This quiz is the ultimate test for Rugby World Cup fans, to see if you can name all 44 players that boast two winners medals.

Please note: an autocorrect glitch has stopped our quiz from recognising 'Damian Willemse' as an answer so please input 'Damien Willemse' instead.

Good Luck!