The British and Irish Lions have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their 2025 tour to Australia as Scotland and Glasgow Warriors tight-head prop Zander Fagerson has been ruled out due to a calf injury. The 29-year-old's withdrawal comes just days before the squad's departure for a crucial training camp in Portugal, raising concerns about the Lions' front-row depth ahead of a demanding summer schedule.
Fagerson, who last played for Glasgow in early April and missed the United Rugby Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Leinster in Dublin on June 7, had been expected to compete fiercely for a starting spot among the tight-head options. He had been named in Andy Farrell’s initial 38-man touring party announced in May 2025 and was set to challenge Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong and England’s Will Stuart for the No.3 jersey in the Test matches Down Under.
However, the calf injury has forced Fagerson to withdraw from the tour entirely, with Ireland and Connacht's Finlay Bealham called up as his replacement. Bealham, 33, is Australian-born but qualifies for Ireland through his grandmother. Since moving to Ireland in 2010, he has become a stalwart for the national team, making his international debut in 2016 and featuring prominently in the 2025 Six Nations campaign, where he started every game and earned his 50th cap in the penultimate round against France.
Bealham's inclusion adds experience and resilience to the Lions' front row, especially with Tadhg Furlong’s fitness also in doubt. Furlong, who has been battling a recurring calf injury that limited him to just one appearance off the bench during the Six Nations, has not played for Leinster since their Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton on May 3. His availability for the tour remains uncertain, further complicating the Lions’ tight-head options.
Adding to the front-row challenges, England’s Will Stuart is unavailable for the early stages of the tour as he prepares for the Premiership final with Bath. This trio of tight-head props—Fagerson, Furlong, and Stuart—being sidelined or unavailable has forced head coach Andy Farrell to dig deeper into the talent pool.
In response, the Lions have called up Sale Sharks’ 20-year-old tight-head prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour to join the squad at their training camp in Portugal. Though not added to the full touring party, Opoku-Fordjour represents one of England’s brightest front-row prospects, having made his senior England debut against Japan in November 2024 and earning recognition as a Premiership Young Player of the Season nominee. This opportunity allows him to stake his claim for future involvement amid the current injury crisis.
Joining Opoku-Fordjour in Portugal is Saracens hooker Jamie George, 34, who narrowly missed out on initial selection but is now back in the fold to bolster the squad during training. George brings valuable experience, having been part of the Lions tours in 2017 and 2021, earning three caps across those campaigns. His presence will be vital as the Lions prepare for their upcoming fixtures.
The Lions squad assembled in Dublin before heading to Portugal for a six-day training camp. However, the camp is missing 17 players from the original 38-man roster, including a 12-strong contingent from Leinster, Finn Russell and Will Stuart from Bath, and Ollie Chessum from Leicester due to their club commitments in the Premiership and United Rugby Championship (URC) finals. Ronan Kelleher and Dan Sheehan of Leinster are also absent as they prepare for their URC final against the Bulls at Croke Park on June 14.
Despite these absences, the Lions are focused on making the most of the training camp to "get our house in order," as Farrell put it. The camp is crucial for building cohesion and fine-tuning strategies ahead of their first warm-up match against Argentina in the 1888 Cup at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 20. This fixture will be the final preparation before the Lions embark on their Australian tour, which begins with a match against the Western Force in Perth on June 28, followed by three Test matches against the Wallabies on July 19, 26, and August 2.
Andy Farrell acknowledged the disappointment surrounding Fagerson’s injury but remained optimistic about the squad’s prospects. "It’s tough on Zander to miss out so close to the Tour, but now Finlay gets an opportunity to come in and add to the group," Farrell said. "This is unfortunately part and parcel of the game, so we always have to be prepared for that. But it’s great to finally be at the stage where we can get onto the training ground and get to work with these players. Portugal will be really important for us as we look to get our house in order with only a few training sessions before we take on Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin."
Bealham’s call-up also signals a return Down Under for the Canberra-born prop, who has impressed consistently since his Ireland debut. His experience and recent form could prove invaluable as the Lions navigate a challenging front-row situation.
The Lions’ preparations are further complicated by the tight turnaround between club finals and international fixtures. Players from Bath, Leicester, and Leinster are expected to join the squad in Ireland next week ahead of the Argentina game, but their availability for the tour opener remains uncertain. This scenario could see players like Jamie George or Opoku-Fordjour feature in the warm-up match, with George’s past Lions experience and Opoku-Fordjour’s youthful dynamism offering valuable options.
Ben Calveley, Lions chief executive, highlighted the significance of the upcoming match at the Aviva Stadium, stating, "The opportunity to play in Dublin at Aviva Stadium in front of over 50,000 Lions fans will make for a great occasion and the perfect send-off." He also emphasized the importance of evolving the Lions tours while respecting their rich heritage spanning over 130 years.
As the Lions face mounting pressure on their tight-head position, the squad’s depth and adaptability will be tested. The injury to Fagerson is a setback, but with seasoned players like Bealham and George, alongside emerging talents like Opoku-Fordjour, Andy Farrell’s side still possesses the tools to challenge Australia in what promises to be a fiercely contested series.
With the training camp underway and the warm-up match against Argentina looming, the Lions must quickly gel and overcome the front-row uncertainties to ensure they are battle-ready for the demanding tour ahead. The rugby world will be watching closely as this iconic team prepares to don the famous red jersey once again.
