Despite missing out on selection for the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this year, former England prop Kyle Sinckler is still playing a key role — just off the pitch.
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Sinckler has joined Sky Sports’ punditry team, bringing his frontline insight to the Lions coverage this summer. At 32, the former tighthead’s presence on the broadcast team comes amid concerns over the Lions’ “tighthead crisis,” with injuries forcing call-ups and doubts hanging over key players.
Sky Sports is the only place to watch every match of the British & Irish Lions 2025 Tour of Australia in the UK & Ireland – all three Tests and six warm-up games live from June 20 to August 2. Watch on Sky Sports or available to stream with NOW.
Rugby journalist Stephen Jones recently described the situation as a “near-catastrophe,” highlighting Zander Fagerson’s withdrawal and Tadhg Furlong’s fitness issues, as well as the less-than-ideal alternatives currently available.
With Sinckler watching closely, it’s not hard to imagine he’s keeping his phone handy in case Andy Farrell’s staff need emergency cover.
er Rankings: British & Irish Lions Tier List – Who’s Leading the Race for a Test Jersey?
This evolving tier list ranks players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales by likelihood of starting the Lions Test matches, considering form, experience, versatility, and injury status.
We will release weekly updates throughout the build-up to the tour, reflecting changes in form, injuries, and squad developments — so stay tuned for the latest insights!
Tier Legend:
- ? S Tier – Near-lock for the Test XV
- ? A Tier – Strong favourite, very likely starter
- ? B Tier – In contention, bench or squad player
- ? C Tier – Outside shot, needs big tour to break in
- ? D Tier – Unlikely barring injury or drastic changes
Hookers
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Sheehan | ? S | The standout hooker; dynamic around the field and solid on set-piece. |
| Rónan Kelleher | ? B | Reliable and strong bench option, pushing for Test starts if form holds. |
| Luke Cowan-Dickie | ? C | Experienced, but behind the Irish duo in pecking order. |
Props
Loosehead
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ellis Genge | ? A | Outstanding performance against Argentina pushes him ahead of Porter. |
| Andrew Porter | ? B | Strong but edged out by Genge’s recent form. |
| Pierre Schoeman | ? C | Reliable backup option. |
Tighthead
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tadhg Furlong | ? A | Still top choice, though fitness is a factor. |
| Will Stuart | ? B | Now ahead of Bealham, who drops to C. |
| Finlay Bealham | ? C | Depth option behind Stuart. |
Second Row
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maro Itoje | ? S | The clear Test starter and captain; dominant on all fronts. |
| Tadhg Beirne | ? A | Versatile lock/blindside with great skillset. |
| Joe McCarthy | ? B | Rising star with big potential. |
| Ollie Chessum | ? B | Mobile and aggressive, pushing for Test role. |
| James Ryan | ? C | Injuries and dips in form have slowed him down. |
Back Row
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Curry | ? A | If fully fit, a starting candidate for back row. |
| Ben Earl | ? B | Solid contender but competition fierce. |
| Josh van der Flier | ? B | World-class but form is slightly inconsistent recently. |
| Jac Morgan | ? B | Welsh leader, in the mix for bench or rotation. |
| Jack Conan | ? C | Experienced but behind younger options. |
Scrum-halves
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jamison Gibson-Park | ? A | Likely starting 9 if fit. |
| Tomos Williams | ? B | Promoted ahead of Alex Mitchell based on impact and experience. |
| Alex Mitchell | ? C | Solid but currently third in pecking order. |
Fly-halves
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Finn Russell | ? S | Clear Test starter with creativity and control. |
| Fin Smith | ? A | Emerging star, surpassing Marcus Smith as main backup. |
| Marcus Smith | ? C | Has struggled at fullback; Test fly-half spot unlikely. |
Centres
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bundee Aki | ? A | Midfield mainstay. |
| Huw Jones | ? B | Now ahead of Ringrose for his attacking prowess. |
| Sione Tuipulotu | ? B | Versatile and strong option, deserving of B tier status. |
| Garry Ringrose | ? C | Dropped slightly due to injury/form. |
Wings
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duhan van der Merwe | ? S | Test starter. |
| James Lowe | ? A | Reliable threat. |
| Tommy Freeman | ? B | Moves ahead of Hansen due to recent form. |
| Mack Hansen | ? C | Slight drop due to injuries/form. |
Fullbacks
| Player | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blair Kinghorn | ? A | Now ahead of Keenan, though may join squad later due to club commitments. |
| Hugo Keenan | ? B | Slightly edged down but still a strong option. |
| Elliot Daly | ? D | Utility back role. |
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- “Not retired” – Steve Borthwick confirms Owen Farrell England return
- Over 25,000 fans sign Petition to Rename Murrayfield Stand After Doddie Weir
- Owen Farrell out as Sky Sports’ Lions Tour pundit after just one game
- Erasmus reveals Ntlabakanye’s dedication ahead of first Springbok start
Can You Name Every 2021 British & Irish Lions Player?
Think you remember the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa? It’s been a few years since that brutal, bruising, and controversial Test series — but true rugby heads never forget.
- 42 players were named in Warren Gatland’s final squad
- The Lions won the First Test 22-17, but the Springboks hit back to win the series 2-1
- The decider? A gritty 19-16 Springbok victory that still stings for many fans
Now it's time to test your memory.
- How many of those 42 Lions can you name?
- No hints. No positions. Just rugby IQ.
- You’ve got 5 minutes.
Take the quiz, scroll down, and start typing.
Let’s see what you’re made of.
Let’s see what you’re made of.
