Telegraph Just Dropped Their Updated Lions Squad Based on Current Form – Who Made the Cut?
Rugby NewsMonday, 28 October 2024 at 20:28
The Telegraph has rolled out its Lions squad, and guess what? It’s causing a stir worthy of a scrum!
Eight English players have made the cut, and they’re ready to clash with the cream of the Home Nations. Let’s dive into the English talent storming the Lions’ fortress! Check out their full squad here.
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Loosehead Legends: Genge vs. Smith – The Battle of the Beasts!
First up, we’ve got the mighty Ellis Genge squaring off against Welsh powerhouse Nicky Smith, who’s been dubbed the form loosehead of the moment. Smith’s got a case, but Genge’s explosive scrummaging and open-field antics make him hard to overlook. Not to forget Joe Marler and rising star Fin Baxter, who are lurking in the shadows, ready to throw their hats into the ring for extra scrummaging muscle!
Hookers on the Hook: Youth Meets Experience!
In the hooker corner, it’s Theo Dan—young, energetic, and ready to rumble! He’s joining seasoned contenders like Ronan Kelleher and Dewi Lake. With Dan Sheehan sidelined due to injury, the competition just got a lot more exciting. Dan’s raw athleticism adds a dynamic flair, while veteran Jamie George provides the calm amidst the storm as a reliable backup.
Locking Horns: Itoje's Unshakeable Position!
Next, we move to the second row, where Maro Itoje reigns supreme. A true titan, his mix of physicality and tactical wizardry is essential against the world’s fiercest forwards. And don’t sleep on George Martin! This versatile player can toggle between lock and flanker, proving his worth in the most intense Lions matchups.
Back Row Bonanza: Earl Lights Up the Field!
In the back row, Ben Earl is turning heads with his dynamic post-Six Nations form. His blistering pace and knack for scoring make him a must-have. Meanwhile, Jack Willis could also be a crucial selection, depending on his availability.
Centre Stage: Lawrence Brings the Power!
Now, let’s talk about the center—Ollie Lawrence. He’s been in top form at Bath, pairing raw power with sharp lines of attack. His performance solidifies his role as a standout center among the English contingent.
Winger Wonder: Feyi-Waboso Brings the Fire!
Rounding off this English ensemble is Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. His electrifying performances this season have earned him a well-deserved place. With versatility and speed on the wing, he’s set to inject fresh energy into the backline.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso of England during the Six Nations Match between England and Wales at Twickenham, London on 10 February 2024 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Squad Breakdown
- Loosehead Props
- Andrew Porter (Ireland)
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
- Nicky Smith (Wales)
- Hookers
- Theo Dan (England)
- Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
- Dewi Lake (Wales)
- Tighthead Props
- Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
- Locks
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
- Scott Cummings (Scotland)
- Maro Itoje (England)
- George Martin (England)
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland)
- James Ryan (Ireland)
- Back Row
- Ryan Baird (Ireland)
- Caelan Doris (Ireland)
- Ben Earl (England)
- Jac Morgan (Wales)
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
- Jack Willis (England)
- Scrum-Halves
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
- Ben White (Scotland)
- Tomos Williams (Wales)
- Fly-Halves
- Finn Russell (Scotland)
- Marcus Smith (England)
- Jack Crowley (Ireland)
- Centres
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Ollie Lawrence (England)
- Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
- Wingers
- James Lowe (Ireland)
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England)
- Mack Hansen (Ireland)
- Fullbacks
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
- Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
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Three ex-Lions were not impressed with Warren Gatland as head coach
Finn Russell has become the latest Lions tourist to openly criticize head coach Warren Gatland following the 2-1 series defeat against South Africa.
#1. Sean O'Brien (2017)
The Irishman started all three Tests of the 1-1 drawn series with New Zealand.
"If we had a little more structure during the weeks, and more of an attack gameplan, driven way earlier in the tour, I think we could have won 3-0," O'Brien said.
"With the players we had, we should have won the series."
He later reinforced this point of view during an interview with Lions teammate James Haskell
“When you look at the players we had – there was so much world-class talent in the squad, enough to have won all the Tests.
“I know all about the history, how the Lions have only won seven Tests or something like that in New Zealand over the years.
"But look at what has happened to New Zealand since 2017. They’re still a brilliant team. But we (Ireland) beat them in 2018; South Africa beat them down there in 2018, Argentina had their win last year, England destroyed them in the (2019) World Cup.
“Think about it. The Lions not only had the best of England but also Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That’s where I was coming from; we had the players to do it. I didn’t intend to insult or undermine anyone by saying that.
“I certainly don’t want to do that this time because Warren’s a good coach, the right man to lead this tour. But do I still think we could have won 3-0? Yeah, I do.”
Sean O'Brien facts:
- Internationally, he played for Ireland for ten years, and toured twice with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017
- O'Brien played across the back-row, though he primarily plays as an openside flanker
- He bought Bellamy's Pub in Ballsbridge with Leinster teammates Rob Kearney, Dave Kearney and Jamie Heaslip. After an extensive refurbishment, it was reopened as "The Bridge 1859"
#2. Finn Russell (2021)
Speaking on the Scottish Rugby podcast, he has been reflecting on the campaign.
“I thought that all three Tests we should have played more rugby and gone at them a little bit more,” he said.
“The first two Tests we played off nine for two phases and I kind of felt that played into their defence.
“We weren’t doing much out of the back of it. We were keeping the attack narrow instead of having a wide attack.
“The first ten minutes of the third Test, there was still quite a bit of kicking and a lot of play off nine.
“There wasn’t much rugby that actually got played.
“I was sitting on the bench thinking we are doing the same as in the last two games even though we’ve spoken about being a little bit more expansive.
“With coming on early enough, I was able to try and play that style of rugby.”
Finn Russell facts:
- His father played a lot of racket sports, and worked in sports administration, including as Director of Domestic Rugby for the Scottish Rugby Union
- After secondary school, he pursued an apprenticeship for three years as a stonemason, in a business owned by a family friend, whilst his rugby developed
- Russell has been nicknamed 'Russell the Muscle' due to having a somewhat slender build for a modern-day rugby player
- Fly-half Russell was capped with the Barbarians against England during the mid-year rugby tests
- In 2013 Russell received the John Macphail Scholarship, linked with New Zealand's Lincoln University
#3. Brian O'Driscoll (2013)
While not playing in the final test was already a bitter pill to swallow, O’Driscoll revealed on The Rugby Centurions podcast on The XV that not being allowed to take part in training was particularly difficult.
“I came down on the Friday and on our whiteboard it said, ‘Non-23 are not needed at training’. I thought, ‘They don’t even want us to hold shields’. I found that very difficult.
“You just want to have the connectivity to it, and that’s the issue with Lions tours – there is a breakaway group in that final week that just want to be home.
“I wasn’t ready to be part of that, I just wanted to be part of the group that could create history and even have a small impact in getting them prepared.
“I said to Gatland a few years afterwards that I thought that was a mistake, they should have given an option to players that wanted to go training to go and be part of the collective, because in so many teams it’s those that don’t get chosen that prep the team for battle.
“I said that as captain for years and then all of a sudden I had to live it. And I couldn’t be poacher turned gamekeeper because it didn’t suit Gatland.
“I remember that
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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