British & Irish Lions XV: David Campese backs Irish and Scottish domination as ‘phenomenal’ captain and two English ‘exiles’ selected
David Campese picks Blair Kinghorn and Jamison Gibson-Park in his British and Irish Lions team.
As we reach the fallow period of the 2025 Six Nations, it’s only two months until Andy Farrell unveils his British & Irish Lions squad that will travel to Australia.
David Campese, a man who played in the infamous 1989 series, has been watching from afar and joins Planet Rugby to pick his Lions Test team to take on the Wallabies.
“The first thing I’d observe is that this year’s Test side is a little easier to predict than those that have gone before. Sure, 2021 was a tough one due to COVID but with Scotland and Ireland clearly the form sides of the last four seasons and with England and Wales perhaps not achieving what they would have wanted, I see the focus around the men in green and blue,” Campese said.
“I also wonder if Andy Farrell will play a less structured game than with Ireland – part of that is who goes with him as attack coach and I’ve assumed that that will be Gregor Townsend.
“Anyway, after the first two rounds, I believe the Test side will look something like this.”
David Campese’s British & Irish Lions Test XV
15 Blair Kinghorn (Scotland): A consummate footballer who offers cover all across the back division. He’ll sneak in over Hugo Keenan, who I also see touring and contributing.
14 Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland): Massive, direct and lethal. I would play him come what may but I also believe he’ll have pressure from his own teammate, Darcy Graham, who was unlucky to get badly concussed in Round Two.
13 Huw Jones (Scotland): Andy Farrell likes intelligent centres and Jones is the most creative of the available 13s and in cracking form. It’s a competitive position and both Garry Ringrose and Ollie Lawrence will push Huw all the way.
12 Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland): I will caveat this – it’s either a fit Sione or, if he’s not available, Bundee Aki. However, Sione is a brilliant distributor and I’m mindful of the man I’m picking at 10 alongside him, so although he has this pectoral issue, Tuipulotu is my man.
11 James Lowe (Ireland): A phenomenal workrate is the superpower of Lowe and I don’t see anyone else in the frame. I do think, however, that one of Tommy Freeman or Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will be on the plane to offer cover.
10 Finn Russell (Scotland): Will Farrell go for a more structured 10 like Owen, his son, or Sam Prendergast, or will he go down the Russell route? I do think it’s an interesting question and one that might mean Marcus Smith misses out on selection.
9 Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland): The heartbeat of the Irish side, a wonderful general of the pack and the backs, he’s head and shoulders above anyone else, although Wales’ Tomos Williams is sure to be his back-up, with England’s Alex Mitchell also travelling.
The forwards
8 Caelan Doris (Ireland, captain): A phenomenal player and I don’t think people outside Ireland give him enough recognition. He has it all. Back up will come from England in the shape of Ben Earl and possibly Tom Willis.
7 Josh van der Flier (Ireland): A key component to Farrell’s Ireland and a world-class seven. I also expect to see the outstanding Welsh skipper, Jac Morgan, play a big part on the tour.
6 Jack Willis (England): The best flanker in Europe at the moment. His leadership and consistency have shot through the roof since his move to Toulouse where he plays left and right, so blindside shouldn’t be an issue. Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne will be the back-ups but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Courtney Lawes tour either.
5 David Ribbans (England): Continuing with a French exile theme, Ribbans is massive and abrasive, but supremely mobile. England never got the best out of this superb player and I wanted to give you one curve ball so this is it. ‘Ribeye’ has been the dominant lock in the Top 14, the land of the giants, at Toulon this season. The Lions can also slide Beirne in there and Grant Gilchrist and will be a candidate too.
4 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): He could be in the back-row but I’ll put him lock where he plays more regularly. Maro Itoje never a bad game and a workrate to die for and will add bench impact. Ollie Chessum will be mentioned in dispatches too, with Dafydd Jenkins also having an outside chance of selection.
3 Zander Fagerson (Scotland): This is assuming Tadhg Furlong isn’t fully fit which is yet to be determined. If he is, he’s in. I also like the look of the improving Will Stuart with England and Ireland’s back-up, Finlay Bealham.
2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland): If he’s fully fit, he’s the first name I’d pick in the forwards! Back-up will come from Ronan Kelleher and Luke Cowan-Dickie, although Wales’ Dewi Lake is in consideration if he gets fit.
1 Andrew Porter (Ireland): Incredible workrate and a world-class player, he’s a simple selection. England’s Ellis Genge will be his back-up and I wouldn’t be surprised if Saracens’ Rhys Carre gets on the plane as an option.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Finlay Bealham/Zander Fagerson, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Darcy Graham
