Sir Clive Woodward predicts Scotland’s British and Irish Lions ‘marginalisation’ to end with two ‘shoo-in’ starters

Jared Wright
Scotland stars Blair Kinghorn and Huw Jones in action during the 2025 Six Nations and an insert of ex-England head coach Sir Clive Woodward.

Sir Clive Woodward has praised the performances of Scotland players during the opening weekend of the Six Nations.

Sir Clive Woodward was impressed by Scotland’s performance in the opening round of the Six Nations and predicts that British and Irish Lions call-ups will follow as a result.

For the last four Lions tours, Scotland had the smallest representation in the Lions squad with four players being selected for the 2009 and 2013 trips with the number increasing by one in 2017, including two of the infamous ‘Geography Six’.

Standout Scots

In 2021, then Lions boss Warren Gatland rewarded Scotland’s fine form with eight players touring South Africa with the invitational team.

Former England and Lions head coach Woodward predicts that the trend of more Scottish involvement will continue with two players not only touring with the team but cracking the Test match starting XV.

This comes after Scotland’s 31-19 victory over Italy in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations.

“This Six Nations is the main audition for players to put their hand up to be a part of Andy Farrell’s Lions squad for the summer tour of Australia,” the 2003 World Cup-winning coach wrote in his SportsMail column.

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“There are so many contenders. But I thought Scotland’s backs really put their hands up for selection against Italy.”

Woodward believes that Scotland’s players have been ‘marginalised on recent Lions tours’ but expects that to change in 2025.

The backline players in particular caught the former head coach’s eye with four players earning praise from Woodward, two of which he is backing to be starters for the touring side.

“Centre Huw Jones stood out with a hat-trick,” he continued.

“But I also liked wing Darcy Graham’s performance and for me, Blair Kinghorn at full-back is a shoo-in selection.

“He plays for Toulouse, the best club side on the planet. Finn Russell is a Lions certainty at fly-half. He was far from his best in round one but is still the standout fly-half in the tournament.”

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Townsend backs Jones for Lions call

After the match, Scotland boss Gregor Townsend sang the praises of Jones after his hat-trick and also backed the midfielder to be called up to the Lions squad.

“It’s three tries today but I reckon Huw has missed out on five or six tries over the past couple of games because he has just not had the ball,” Townsend said.

“He offers himself on brilliant lines that sometimes fixes defences and other people get the space, he supports really well and today the ball found him and it was through his work off the ball.”

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When asked about the prospects of Jones earning a call-up, he added: “He would be an asset. He’s played really well now for a couple of years at the highest level in big games.

“I thought in the game against South Africa back in the autumn, he was outstanding, breaking tackles against what’s regarded as the best defensive team in the world.

“He’s a world-class finisher and a very good passer too. He’s got the all-round game that he showed today and he can show again and again for us.

“‘It’s great to have Huw in this sweet spot of confidence, experience and physical attributes. He’s at the top of his game right now.

“Absolutely, he’s a more complete player now [than when he debuted].”

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