Former Lions captain Sam Warburton has named England’s rising star, Chandler Cunningham-South, as a potential bolter for the British & Irish Lions 2025 tour to Australia.
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The 21-year-old, who weighs in at 120kg, has impressed in his debut year of Test rugby, solidifying England’s back-row with his physicality.
Warburton sees Cunningham-South as an ideal fit for the Lions’ back-row, alongside Ireland’s Caelan Doris at No.8 and either Josh van der Flier or Tom Curry on the openside, creating a well-balanced unit for the tour.
“I saw this kid play because Harlequins were playing Cardiff,” he said. “There was one kid who stood out and I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, how is he not in the England set-up?’
“Fast forward to the Six Nations and he came off the bench for England and had 15 minutes – Chandler Cunningham-South is a serious player.
“He’s 6ft 5ins, explosive, big, aggressive and technically very good as well. There are not many No.6s around and there is always room for an enforcer in your pack.
“You need someone who can spearhead the effort. Joe McCarthy is doing that now for Ireland and Cunningham-South can be that player at six who is really disruptive. In 18 months, he is going to be red hot and in the conversation (for the Lions).”
Caelan Doris Misses Out: “Ben Earl is World-Class”
Explaining his decision, Warburton shared his thoughts on the No. 8 selection. “It was a tight one at No. 8, because I think you’ve got three great eights at the minute. Wainwright played extremely well in the summer. Caelan Doris is obviously Ireland’s captain, but I’ve gone for Ben Earl,” Warburton wrote in The Times.
“He is simply world-class, and because Chessum is at six, you don’t have to worry about him and Morgan not being particularly tall men.”
Keenan Snubbed for Kinghorn at Fullback
In another bold move, Warburton chose Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn over Ireland’s Hugo Keenan at fullback. “I like Hugo Keenan, but I just think Kinghorn has gone to another level at Toulouse this year,” Warburton explained, adding that it was a “curveball” selection.
Sam Warburton’s British & Irish Lions Starting XV in 2025
15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Tommy Freeman
11. Duhan van der Merwe
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Sione Tuipulotu
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. George Martin
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Jac Morgan
8. Ben Earl
Danny Care selects his British & Irish Lions XV, picks the “best scrum-half”
In a Lions XV selection that’s sure to spark some heated pub debates, Danny Care – yes, the man with over 100 caps for England – has handpicked his “best scrum-half” for next summer’s tour to Australia.
Spoiler alert: it’s not a Welshman. In fact, there’s not a single Welsh player in the entire lineup! Care and fellow former England international Mark Atkinson have chosen a squad packed with English and Irish stars, leaving the Welsh out in the cold.
Tomos Williams Tease – The One Welshman Who Almost Made It
Williams was the only Welsh name brought up on Care’s Hits Different podcast, with Atkinson saying, “I’ve seen a big impact from him joining Gloucester. He’s got 40-odd Wales caps [58 now], and if there’s one Welsh player to make the tour, it’s him.” But even that wasn’t enough to earn him a place in their Lions XV.
Care, meanwhile, was clear in his verdict: Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park is “the best scrum-half” around, with Alex Mitchell close behind. Sorry, Tomos!
Smith vs Russell: English Flair Wins the 10 Battle
The surprises didn’t stop there – Care and Atkinson picked England’s Marcus Smith over Scotland’s Finn Russell at No. 10, while the midfield saw a bruising combination of Ireland’s Bundee Aki and England’s Ollie Lawrence.
Feyi-Waboso? Yes, Please!
Another shocker? The Cardiff-born Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made the wing, alongside Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe. And, to cap it all off, England’s George Furbank took the full-back spot over Ireland’s Hugo Keenan.
Danny Care and Mark Atkinson’s Lions XV:
15. George Furbank: An agile fullback known for his versatility and impressive kicking game, Furbank has made a name for himself with his ability to read the game and contribute in attack and defense.
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: A rising star in the rugby scene, Feyi-Waboso is recognized for his explosive speed and powerful running style, making him a significant threat on the wing.
13. Ollie Lawrence: A dynamic centre with a strong physical presence, Lawrence excels in breaking tackles and creating space for his teammates, contributing both defensively and offensively.
12. Bundee Aki: A seasoned centre known for his robust tackling and strong ball-carrying abilities, Aki brings experience and leadership to the midfield, often acting as a key playmaker.
