British and Irish Lions snubbed XV: The victims of Andy Farrell’s decisions including the player he ‘couldn’t ignore’ but did
We run through some of the best players who have not been selected in the British and Irish Lions squad.
Naming a British and Irish Lions squad is no easy feat, and that is certainly highlighted by the quality of players who won’t be making the trip Down Under.
For a player like Caelan Doris, the decision was not in his or Andy Farrell’s control after he sustained a gut-wrenching injury in the Investec Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints.
But for me, they were simply the victim of the quality ahead of them, as Farrell and his coaching team made the tough calls.
Of course there is still time for call-ups with injuries being a harsh reality of professional sport, but here’s our picks for the snubbed XV, the players that can certainly feel hard done by.
British and Irish Lions snubbed XV
15 George Furbank (England): A tough one to start with, as one can completely understand why Farrell would have been reluctant to take a risk on the England and Saints full-back, considering his injuries. He returned for the Champions Cup quarter-final against Castres but didn’t feature against Leinster. He could be in line for a call-up before the British and Irish Lions depart, but only time will tell. His England teammate Freddie Steward can also feel hard done by, as can Wales’ Cam Winnett.
14 Darcy Graham (Scotland): There is a very strong case to be made that the Scottish pocket-rocket should be in the squad ahead of Mack Hansen, but that is purely a selection call from the Lions staff and a really tough one for the Edinburgh star to take. He has been in stunning try-scoring form and surely has to be on the shortlist of replacements. While Henry Pollock was the one real bolter in the team, uncapped Ireland winger Jimmy O’Brien made an incredibly strong case in recent weeks and is also very unlucky.
13 Robbie Henshaw (Ireland): The two-time tourist is certainly unlucky to make it a hat-trick of tours. He was in solid form during the Six Nations and seamlessly swapped between 12 and 13, something that selected centres haven’t all done at the highest level recently. England’s Henry Slade is also unfortunate to miss out, while Scotland’s Stafford McDowall and Wales’ Nick Tompkins would have fancied their chances.
12 Owen Farrell (England): There is a very good chance that he will still be on the plane if his father’s remarks are anything to go by. Farrell’s selection would be on proven pedigree rather than recent form, but a proven winner at the highest level that offers leadership and versatility is gold dust on Lions tours. If he proves his fitness and gains some form, who knows? On the topic of versatility, Scotland’s Tom Jordan made a strong claim for a call-up during the Six Nations and November internationals and continues to do so for Glasgow, whether he is playing centre, fly-half or full-back.
11 Blair Murray (Wales): A shining light in a dreadful Six Nations campaign for Wales, Murray impressed on the wing and at full-back. His fellow countryman, Josh Adams, is another who would have fancied his chances.
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Half-backs
10 George Ford (England): Farrell was spoilt for choice when it came to fly-halves, highlighted by Ford’s absence again. The playmaker has again been made the victim of fly-half depth in Britain, and while he has slipped down the pecking order for Steve Borthwick, he has been in sensational form for Sale Sharks. Ireland’s rising star Sam Prendergast is another fly-half who is unlucky not to make the cut, as is Munster’s Jack Crowley, who looked nailed on last year. Ford is surely among the best players in the modern era to never play for the Lions.
9 Ben White (Scotland): Another hotly contested position, but the player who was most unfortunate when the team was named was the Scottish half-back who has impressed for Toulon and his country this season. Additionally, Craig Casey was surely in the mix.
Back-five forwards
8 Taulupe Faletau (Wales): Doris has not been snubbed but rather injured and he leaves a massive void as he was one of the very few clear starters for the Lions. In his absence, Farrell has selected the likes of Ben Earl and Jack Conan as his out-and-out number eight options. Meanwhile, Faletau is unlucky not to make the squad after returning from injury in brilliant form. Tom Willis was surely in the mix too while it looks as if untimely injuries have cost Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson.
7 Jack Willis (England): One of the form openside flankers in European rugby over the past 24 months, Willis was seen by many as a player that Farrell could not ignore, but that was not the case. It’s a real shame that he has been snubbed, but he ran that risk playing in France, taking him out of the England frame. A world-class player who would have added huge value to the squad. England’s Ben Curry and Scotland’s Rory Darge further highlight the strength in depth in the position, as does the omission of Wales’ Tommy Reffell.
6 Jamie Ritchie (Scotland): Former England skipper Courtney Lawes would have been a sharp selection considering his experience and proven quality but it was always going to be a stretch with him playing second division rugby in France. However, Ritchie is undoubtedly the unluckiest blindside flanker considering his outrageous form for club and country. His form peaked at the ideal time, but not enough to convince the coaching staff despite the clear lack of out-and-out number sixes in the squad.
5 Dafydd Jenkins (Wales): The form of Wales since the 2023 World Cup has undoubtedly dented the chances of so many players, including Wales’ Jenkins, who has worked tirelessly in every defeat over that time. He has also been a consistent performer for Exeter Chiefs but misses out on the squad along with fellow countryman Adam Beard, who has struggled with injuries of late. Ireland’s Iain Henderson is another former tourist who would have fancied his chances, but frankly, his form for Ireland didn’t warrant a selection, while Ryan Baird could have offered a lock-blindside option.
4 David Ribbans (England): It is evident that Farrell was not overly eager to select France-based players in the squad, but Ribbans would have been another solid selection. He has been superb for Toulon and has even taken on a leadership role with the squad. George Martin’s injury robbed him of the chance of hearing his name called out, while Will Rowlands is another Welshman that has impressed despite the poor run of results.
Front-rowers
3 Finlay Bealham (Ireland): The Connacht man performed well in the absence of Tadhg Furlong but was beaten to the squad by the veteran tighthead with Will Stuart and Zander Fagerson preferred. There is also a case to be made for Toulon-based Kyle Sinckler.
2 Jamie George (England): After losing his starting role to Luke Cowan-Dickie at the start of the Six Nations, George returned in outstanding form and provided invaluable impact off the bench throughout the Six Nations. He would have brought crucial experience to the squad that does not feature a single Test centurion, while he is a loved presence in any squad he is selected in. Wales hooker Dewi Lake also returned in sterling form from injury to put himself in the selection frame but not enough to convince Farrell and his staff.
1 Nicky Smith (Wales): Is there a better scrummaging loosehead prop in Britain? It’s a close call that’s for sure. Smith will surely be on the standby list along with England rookie Fin Baxter.
