The 13 England players Brian Moore believes will be picked for the British and Irish Lions

Lawrence Nolan 05 May 2025 3:01 PM

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Lions — Brian Moore has included the fitness-chasing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in his British and Irish Lions

Ex-England hooker Brian Moore has published the rejigged British and Irish Lions squad he would like to see picked this Thursday by Andy Farrell, cutting his original Ireland representation from 16 players to 14 and increasing England’s from nine to 13.

Moore initially suggested a squad of 37 for the trip to Australia when reviewing the form players following the conclusion of the Six Nations in March.

At the time, the 1989 Lions tour series winner agitated for a squad consisting of 16 Irish players, nine English, nine Scottish and three Welsh.

Nearly two months later, he has revisited that post-championship selection and proposed a reshuffled squad of 37 made up of 14 Irish, 13 English, seven Scottish and three Welsh.

Moore opted to omit March picks Iain Henderson, Grant Gilchrist, Tommy Reffell, Matt Fagerson, Sam Prendergast, Huw Jones and Mack Hansen, replacing them with Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Fin Smith, Robbie Henshaw, Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

“Lions isn’t a finishing school for players with potential…”

He also added that Ireland captain Caelan Doris must travel as Lions tour captain ahead of Maro Itoje, despite recent speculation that the England skipper could well be chosen for the role. Doris failed to fire last Saturday when leading Leinster in their surprise Champions Cup semi-final loss to Northampton in Dublin.

However Moore, writing before it emerged on Monday afternoon that the number eight will undergo a procedure this week on a shoulder injury, believed that Lions head coach Farrell will stick with the Irishman to lead the upcoming tour to Australia.

Explaining his preference in The Telegraph, Moore claimed: “The squad will inevitably be dominated by players from Ireland and England and as the head coach/captain dynamic is even more important on a Lions’ tour, I expect Farrell will choose Caelen Doris, as a player he knows very well.”

Moore, meanwhile, dismissed the clamour for England Test rookie Henry Pollock to be selected. “Henry Pollock’s recent form has led to him being a ‘bolter’. For me, the whole issue of ‘bolters’ is mystifying, although I accept it is a ubiquitous obsession.

“This probably reflects something that both I and Ian McGeechan have previously stated, that the Lions are not a finishing school for players with potential. You need Test-match animals when it comes to Test-match squads.

“If you do want a bolter, you should choose a player with unmatched pace or extravagant creativity; someone who might unlock a tight game by offering the unexpected.”