Sir Clive Woodward selects his Lions squad – no room for Owen Farrell

Rugby News
Thursday, 01 May 2025 at 23:20
clive woodward itv six nations pundit 1 1jpg
With just one week to go until Andy Farrell names his British & Irish Lions squad for the 2025 tour to Australia, former head coach Sir Clive Woodward has named his 37-man squad.
From blockbuster backs to wrecking-ball forwards, his squad picked for the Mail Online has the firepower to win the series Down Under. Here’s the full squad, position-by-position, with what Woodward had to say about each selection.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD Lions Squad:

BACK THREE (6)

Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)

"Scotland and Toulouse ace Kinghorn is nursing a knee injury and will likely miss the start of the tour anyway due to club commitments. However, he’s still my first-choice full-back."

Hugo Keenan (Ireland)

"Keenan... selects himself given [his] Six Nations form."

Tommy Freeman (England)

"Freeman’s ability to cover No 13 means that’s not a concern."

James Lowe (Ireland)

"Lowe... selects [himself] given [his] Six Nations form."

Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)

"Van der Merwe... selects [himself] given [his] Six Nations form."

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)

"If he is fit I think he has a point of difference that is worth gambling on. If not, I’d go with Ireland’s Mack Hansen who gets on so well with Farrell he has a tattoo of his face on his leg!"



CENTRES (4)

Bundee Aki (Ireland)

"Aki... bring[s] raw power and aggression."

Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

"Tuipulotu... bring[s] raw power and aggression. The latter also missed the Six Nations, but I’m sure he’ll be selected."

Huw Jones (Scotland)

"Had a great Six Nations."

Garry Ringrose (Ireland)

"Playing well for Leinster."

Note: "I've only picked four centres because of Tommy Freeman's ability to cover No 13 and the wing."

FLY-HALVES (4)

Finn Russell (Scotland)

"I don’t think you can ignore Russell..."

Sam Prendergast (Ireland)

"Prendergast’s battle against Smith for Leinster v Northampton this weekend could go a long way to deciding who gets the starting No 10 shirt."

Fin Smith (England)

"I don't think you can ignore Fin Smith, who can also play at inside centre if needed."

Marcus Smith (England)

"You might say Marcus Smith is fortunate to make my party, but I think he’s been harshly done by and a Lions tour might be exactly what he needs to get back firing."

Omitted: Owen Farrell

"Sadly for Owen Farrell, I don't think he has done enough this season to justify his place in the touring squad."

SCRUM-HALVES (3)

Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)

"Gibson-Park is a certain starter..."

Alex Mitchell (England)

"Mitchell’s importance to Northampton and England is undisputed."

Tomos Williams (Wales)

"He’s one of only two Welshmen in my squad. Sadly, that reflects their demise as a nation. But Williams is undoubtedly deserving of his spot."

FRONT ROW (9)

Andrew Porter (Ireland)

"It’s going to be a fascinating battle between Porter and Genge for the starting spot."

Ellis Genge (England)

"Genge looks back to his best to me. He’s a player I would have loved to have coached."



Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)

(No quote, selected in list.)

Dan Sheehan (Ireland)

"Free-scoring front-rower Dan Sheehan is my pick to be the Lions starting hooker."

Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)

(Selected behind Sheehan; mentioned as backup.)

Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)

"Sale’s Cowan-Dickie is the third hooker and back-up to first-choice Sheehan and his Irish compatriot Kelleher."

Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

"Tighthead prop Furlong hasn’t played much at all this season due to calf injuries. But he should be fit to tour and his class means... he simply must travel."

Zander Fagerson (Scotland)

(No direct quote; selected as part of core tighthead options.)

Will Stuart (England)

"He’s my starter as things stand."

SECOND ROW (5)

Maro Itoje (England – captain)

"I would go with Itoje as tour captain. He is in regal form and being promoted to England skipper for the Six Nations took his game to a whole new level entirely."

Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

(In starting XV, but no individual quote.)

Joe McCarthy (Ireland)

(No direct quote, but selected on form.)

Ollie Chessum (England)

(Included without specific comment.)

George Martin (England)

"I hope George Martin is fit to travel. He brings a brute force that any team needs."

BACK ROW (6)

Tom Curry (England)

"Brilliant player... comfortable both sides of the flank."

Jack Willis (England)

"Willis is the best player in Europe for me. His form for Toulouse has been outrageous."

Josh van der Flier (Ireland)

"Brilliant player."

Jac Morgan (Wales)

"Comfortable both sides of the flank... versatility is a priceless commodity."

Caelan Doris (Ireland)

"Probably the only out-and-out No 8 and will be disappointed to miss out on the captaincy to Itoje."

Ben Earl (England)

(Named in final back row, part of most competitive selection.)

On Henry Pollock

"Henry Pollock has been sensational... But I think the Lions is still a bit too soon for him."

Test XV (to start vs Australia):

15. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
14. Tommy Freeman (England)
13. Huw Jones (Scotland)
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
11. James Lowe (Ireland)
10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
1. Ellis Genge (England)
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
3. Will Stuart (England)
4. Maro Itoje (England – captain)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
6. Jack Willis (England)
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)

QUIZ: Can you name the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?

12 years have passed since Warren Gatland’s men roared to a famous series win over Australia, but how well do you really remember the iconic 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
From legendary leaders to surprise selections, we’ve lined up every player from that unforgettable tour. All you have to do is name them. No pressure, right?
Take the quiz below and prove your rugby brain still bites.
? Scroll down and get cracking – how many can you get without cheating?
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