Lions select England's Curry to spearhead opening test, excluding Wales from the lineup
In a historic move, the British & Irish Lions have announced their starting lineup for the first test against Australia, featuring an all-Irish presence in the forwards and a notable all-Scotland midfield pairing. This is the first time since the late 19th century that no Welshman has been selected in the British & Irish Lions test team.
The Irish contingent in the team is strong, with eight starters including Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (captain), Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, and Jack Conan. England is represented by four players, including Itoje and Curry, while Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones form the centre partnership.
The forwards consist of Ellis Genge at prop, Dan Sheehan at hooker, Tadhg Furlong and Joe McCarthy in the locks, Tom Curry at openside flanker, Tadhg Beirne at blindside flanker, and Jack Conan at number eight. The backs include Finn Russell at fly-half, Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half, Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre, Huw Jones at outside centre, James Lowe at wing, Tommy Freeman at wing, and Hugo Keenan at full-back.
The absence of Welsh players in the squad is significant, with Jac Morgan and Owen Farrell (son of coach Andy Farrell) missing out on the matchday 23. The primary reason for this is coach Andy Farrell's preference for other players in key positions, such as choosing England's Tom Curry at flanker over Wales's Jac Morgan.
The British & Irish Lions have a strong bench, with Ben Earl and Ollie Chessum covering the loose forwards. Injuries have affected the Australian-born Ireland winger Mack Hansen and Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn, who are unlikely to be fit for the tour match against a First Nations-Pasifika XV in Melbourne.
This unprecedented situation highlights the changing dynamics of British & Irish Lions selection in 2025 and indicates the level of competition and depth among the other nations in the squad. The team's performance in the first test against Australia will be closely watched, as they strive to maintain their tradition of success against the Wallabies.
The British & Irish Lions' starting lineup for the first test against Australia showcases a diverse representation of nations, with an all-Irish presence in the forwards and an all-Scotland midfield pairing, reflecting the strong sportsmanship and competitive spirit across the nations. Notably, this is the first time since the late 19th century that no Welshman has been selected in the test team, indicating a shift in the dynamics of British & Irish Lions selection in 2025.
