Sir Ian McGeechan picks Marcus Smith in his 2025 Lions XV

Thursday, 17 February 2022 at 19:17

byRugby Rucker

Sir Ian McGeechan selected the 10 young players set to take the international men's game by storm, including four players he thinks will have key roles to play on the 2025 Lions tour.

#1. Louis Rees-Zammit, 20, Wales

Position: Winger
Age in 2025: 24
Caps: 10

McGeechan said: "You cannot put a price on outright pace. Rees-Zammit has it in abundance, and, combined with his finishing ability, you begin to understand why the hype surrounding him has been so intense."

DID YOU KNOW? His elder brother Taylor made his international debut for Malta against Slovenia earlier this year

#2. Cameron Redpath, 21, Scotland

Position: Centre
Age in 2025: 25
Caps: 1

McGeechan said: "Obviously, I know his father well, so I have followed Cameron’s career fairly closely. I like what I see. Tall, rangy, more of a centre than a 10.

"He was part of the West Brom football academy for two years, which means he has a top-quality skill set and vision off the ball."

THE OFFSIDE LINE

@theoffsideline

·Follow

Cameron Redpath faces lengthy lay-off after knee surgery - theoffsideline.com/cameron-redpat…

7:29 PM · May 25, 2021

#3. Caelan Doris, 23, Ireland

Position: Back-row
Age in 2025: 27
Caps: 11

McGeechan said: "Another one off the Leinster independent schools production line (Blackrock College) and one of the standout No 8s in this season's Champions Cup.

"It is one thing coming through so young, but another to do it at Leinster, where the competition is so fierce. His ball-carrying, physicality and handling mark him out as a special talent.

"He would have made a huge impact on the Lions tour this year if not for concussion issues."

BKT United Rugby Championship (URC)

@URCOfficial

·Follow

5️⃣ things you didn't know about @leinsterrugby's Caelen Doris ➡️ fal.cn/37wp9 #GuinnessPRO14

1:05 PM · Apr 11, 2020

#4. Marcus Smith, 23, England

Position: Fly-half
Age in 2025: 26
Caps: 4

McGeechan said: "A bit of a throwback to my era in terms of his size (just 12.5 stone). But what a huge talent.

"Smith’s progression from Brighton College 1st XV to the Harlequins 1st XV was rapid and well-timed, with Nick Evans stepping back to coach.

"I have watched a lot of him. He never looks flustered on the ball, which is the hallmark of a great player."

DID YOU KNOW? Smith made his British and Irish Lions debut, playing at fly-half for the full 80 minutes against the Stormers. He converted all 7 tries successfully for a 49–3 win for the Lions