Well, that escalated quickly. What was supposed to be a final chance for players to make their case for the Lions squad turned into a whirlwind of surprises, disappointments, and a major reshuffling of the pecking order.
After one of the most dramatic weekends in recent rugby memory, it’s suddenly much clearer who should lead the charge—and who might be watching from home.
Why Maro Itoje Now Looks Like the Obvious Choice for Captain
Let’s start with leadership. Maro Itoje was always in the running to captain the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, but now it feels like a done deal.
His top rival, Ireland’s Caelan Doris, had a rough outing as Leinster shockingly lost to Northampton.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for Doris, and that defeat only cemented Itoje’s reputation as the go-to leader.
Not only is Itoje a lock (no pun intended) for the Test XV, but his authority and presence on the field make him the natural figurehead for Andy Farrell’s squad.
It’s now a no-brainer: Itoje should wear the armband.
A Boost for England and a Reality Check for Depth
The final team selection (unofficially, of course) shows a late surge from English players.
But if you look closer, there’s still a glaring issue—there just isn’t enough backline depth.
Despite that, Leinster still ends up providing 10 players, even after their collapse against the Saints.
It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality Farrell must work with.
That said, this squad still has what it takes to beat the Wallabies. Let’s dive into the names.
Back Three: High Hopes but Injury Setbacks
Selected: Tommy Freeman, Darcy Graham, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Duhan van der Merwe
This part of the squad is plagued by injuries. England’s George Furbank and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are both out.
Blair Kinghorn is still recovering and won’t be available from the get-go due to his Toulouse commitments, but he’s still the best fullback available and worth the wait.
Freeman’s red-hot form makes him a sure pick. Despite Leinster’s flop, Keenan and Lowe have earned their spots.
Van der Merwe, assuming he’s match-fit, brings unmatched power out wide.
And Graham just edges out Mack Hansen with his flair and pace.
Centres: A Bit of a Puzzle with No English or Welsh Options
Selected: Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Huw Jones, Garry Ringrose, Sione Tuipulotu
This area is one of the biggest headaches for selectors.
Neither England nor Wales has anyone breaking through.
Ollie Lawrence would have been a lock, but an achilles injury put an end to his chances.
Farrell needs a hard-running inside centre and a slick outside runner.
Tuipulotu—despite limited recent action—ticks the first box, and Jones fits perfectly outside him.
The Irish trio of Aki, Henshaw, and Ringrose offer a great mix of power, footwork, and experience.
Half-Backs: Some Fierce Competition, Especially at Fly-Half
Selected: George Ford, Jamison Gibson-Park, Alex Mitchell, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Tomos Williams
At scrum-half, Gibson-Park is the clear Test starter, thanks to his tireless influence on Ireland’s success.
Mitchell is next in line, while Tomos Williams brings creativity and form from Gloucester.
Now for the spicy debate—fly-half. Saturday’s showdown between Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast felt like a direct trial.
Smith came out on top, showing he could push even Finn Russell for the Test No. 10 shirt. Farrell may still be tempted to bring his son Owen for experience, but injuries have hampered his Racing 92 season.
George Ford, however, is in fine form and deserves a seat on the plane.
Front Row: Depth and Grit Are Crucial Against a Tough Aussie Pack
Selected: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Zander Fagerson, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Andrew Porter, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart
Forget the old stereotypes—Australia aren’t easy to bully at the scrum anymore.
The Lions need grit and technical excellence.
England’s Genge and Stuart impressed throughout the Six Nations, and Ireland’s Porter-Furlong duo is always rock solid.
Scotland’s Fagerson and Schoeman offer power and dependability.
At hooker, Sheehan leads the way, with George and Cowan-Dickie bringing Lions experience and defensive strength. Ronan Kelleher just misses out.
Second Row: Itoje Leads a Talented and Tactical Group
Selected: Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje (captain), Dafydd Jenkins, Joe McCarthy
Itoje is the centrepiece here—captain and cornerstone of the Test pack.
Around him, there’s a smart blend.
McCarthy offers physicality, Beirne is a master of the breakdown and versatile enough to shift to blindside, and Chessum provides athleticism and aerial threat.
George Martin might’ve made the cut if fully fit, but Jenkins grabs the last spot for now.
Back Row: A Few Tough Calls but Bright Young Talent Shines
Selected: Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Caelan Doris, Ben Earl, Courtney Lawes, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock
Henry Pollock had a “wow” moment over the weekend—blitzing past Prendergast with a stunning try. That might have sealed his place.
He’s raw, yes, but fearless and electric. Why not give him a shot?
Toulouse-based Jack Willis just misses out, possibly due to late availability.
Curry brings versatility, and Morgan is a rare spark from Wales.
Doris looks like the Test No. 8, while Conan edges out Willis and Faletau. And no one questions Courtney Lawes’ place at blindside—he’s a must.
What’s Next?
All eyes are now on Thursday when the official Lions squad is named.
If Andy Farrell’s thinking aligns with what we’ve seen unfold in recent weeks, expect a few curveballs, a strong English presence, and the calm, commanding voice of Maro Itoje leading the charge Down Under.