The wait is over. It's squad announcement day ahead for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer. After months of speculation, today, at around 2pm, Lions head coach Andy Farrell will confirm his picks for this year's tour Down Under with the announcement being made in front of a live crowd of up 2,000 Lions fans in attendance at the indigo at the O2. The squad announcement will also be broadcast live by Sky Sports and on the official Lions YouTube channel.
Englishman Farrell will lead the Lions for the first time having earned his reputation as one of the best coaches in the world during his time in charge of Ireland. There is plenty of speculation that the Lions squad will have a strong green tint to it this year, but with Scotland's backline excelling and England looking resurgent, there should be strong representation across the board barring perhaps struggling Wales.
As the clock ticks down to the announcement, anticipation builds around who will make the cut. Among the contenders, England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is a name to watch. After dislocating his shoulder in late December, Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter describes him as "touch and go" to make his club's final match of the season against Sale on May 31. Baxter said, "Manny's in that almost fortunate position, he's almost in a no-lose situation. He could get back, be up and running, be fit and fresh and perhaps be someone who England might want to take on tour if he's completely up and running and ready to go."
Exeter's other long-shot contenders include Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins and England centre Henry Slade, both of whom have a slim chance of making the squad.
From Gloucester Rugby, there is really just one lone contender, scrum-half Tomos Williams, who looks set to be named the club's player of the season after moving to Kingsholm last summer. Williams is likely to be one of just a few Welshmen to make the tour this summer.
Bath Rugby, despite sitting atop the Gallagher Premiership, is unlikely to send a large contingent. Scottish fly-half Finn Russell and England tighthead prop Will Stuart are the leading contenders from the club, with flanker Sam Underhill having an outside chance due to missing the entire 2025 Six Nations with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Bristol Bears have one strong contender in England vice-captain and loosehead powerhouse prop Ellis Genge. Speaking to the Telegraph's rugby podcast, Genge shared his thoughts on the selection process: "I have never been involved in a Lions squad so I don’t know the process. Some people are probably more confident about selection than others. The mantra I have taken is it won’t define you."
As the squad announcement approaches, fans are eager to know how they can watch it live on TV for free. This year, the squad is being announced live in front of 2,000 Lions fans at the O2, but it is also being broadcast live on Sky Sports, who will show every game of the 2025 tour, and for free on the British & Irish Lions YouTube channel.
What matches are lined up for the British and Irish Lions this summer? The Lions will kick off their tour on June 20 against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Following that, they will face a series of matches, including the Western Force in Perth, Queensland Reds in Brisbane, and NSW Waratahs in Sydney. The tour culminates with three Test matches against Australia, starting on July 19 in Brisbane.
In terms of leadership, Maro Itoje is expected to be named the first English captain of the British and Irish Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001. Itoje became the frontrunner for the role after leading England with distinction during the Six Nations, guiding the team to a runners-up finish in his maiden spell as starting skipper. The selection of Itoje is further solidified by the shoulder injury sustained by his main rival for the post, Caelan Doris, which is likely to rule the Ireland number eight out of the entire trip.
Traditionally, a Lions squad consists of around 37 players, but due to the makeup of the calendar for this year's tour, there is a suggestion that head coach Andy Farrell could opt for a slightly larger squad, potentially announcing as many as 39 players today to ensure sufficient cover in the front row.
As the moment of truth approaches, the excitement in the O2 Arena is palpable. Fans are eager to see which players will be selected, while many players nervously await their fate. The anticipation builds as the announcement time draws closer, with the Lions poised to embark on another thrilling tour.
In summary, the British and Irish Lions squad announcement day is a landmark event in the rugby calendar, filled with anticipation and speculation. With Andy Farrell at the helm, fans are eager to see who will represent the Lions this summer in Australia, and whether Maro Itoje will indeed lead the team as captain. As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on the O2 Arena and the names that will soon be read out.
