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The Lions tour Australia this summer and the squad announcement is one of the most anticipated moments of the year
The British & Irish Lions’ 2025 tour to Australia will be one of the most anticipated events in the 2025 rugby calendar and one of key moments will be the squad announcement, when we find out which England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales players have made the cut.
Traditionally, the Lions’ squad is unveiled in April, after the Six Nations is done and dusted, and a similar timeline is anticipated for the upcoming tour.
We’re expecting the Lions squad announcement to arrive in mid to late April 2025, providing ample time for team preparations before the British & Irish Lions 2025 fixture list kicks off on Friday 20 June, with a match against Argentina in Dublin.
Typical Timeline for Announcements
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will lead the Lions in Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The head coach set-up has already been confirmed, with Andy Farrell appointed in January 2024.
Farrell, who has been part of previous Lions tours as a defence coach, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record with Ireland. His familiarity with the Lions’ environment is expected to be advantageous as he leads the team in Australia.
Farrell has already confirmed the first three members of his Lions coaching team, and will announce his assistants on Wednesday 26 March.
Read more: Which coaches will join Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions coaching staff?
It is rumoured that the full squad announcement will come in mid to late April, around a month after the conclusion of the Six Nations and two months before that first game against Argentina.
Names in the Hat for Captaincy
Speculation about the Lions’ captaincy is intensifying. A leading candidate is Ireland’s Caelan Doris, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and on-field prowess during the Autumn Nations Series and his side’s opening Six Nations 2025 fixtures. His strong connection with Farrell could make his appointment as captain a seamless transition.
Saracens and England captain Maro Itoje is another strong contender, especially as he’s likely to be one of the first names on the team sheet and has already played in six previous Lions Test matches.
Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu may also end up in the mix, though a lot will depend on his recovery from the pectoral injury that’s kept him out of the Six Nations.
Shock Omissions and Surprise Inclusions
Lions tours are often marked by surprise selections and notable omissions.
In the 2021 tour to South Africa, the exclusion of experienced players like Johnny Sexton and Billy Vunipola sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts.
Conversely, the inclusion of relatively unheralded players who made significant impacts underscores the selectors’ emphasis on current form and tactical fit over reputation. Jared Payne in 2017 and Chris Harris in 2021 are both examples of surprise selections.
As the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement approaches, similar surprises may emerge, reflecting the dynamic nature of rugby and the depth of talent available across the home nations.
The Build-Up
As is traditionally the case, the Six Nations 2025 will be pivotal as performances during this championship often influence Lions selections. The Lions selectors will be scrutinising these matches closely to assemble a squad capable of triumphing in Australia.
Players who excel on this stage can bolster their chances of inclusion, while those who falter may find their prospects diminishing. 2013 was the perfect example of this when England’s poor finish to the Six Nations effectively ruled multiple players out of a call up.
With Farrell at the helm and several strong candidates for captaincy, the selection process promises to be as intriguing as ever. Fans should prepare for potential surprises, as the Lions aim to assemble a team that embodies the best of British and Irish rugby for a challenging tour ahead.
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