British & Irish Lions news: Charlie Elliott picks his squad for Australia tour

The Six Nations may not be over yet, but every game is having a huge impact on who Andy Farrell is likely to pick for the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.

There is still more than enough time for players to play themselves in and out of a shirt, but as of right now, some individuals are higher up the pecking order than others.

Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliott offers his thoughts on the best squad as things stand.

Loosehead props

Andrew Porter (Ireland) is a nailed-on selection and should be the starter for the first Test, as long as he stays fit and in good form. He is an absolute workhorse and a world-class player. 

Ellis Genge (England) as back-up offers something slightly different, with him being good with ball in hand and much more mobile around the pitch than some. Plus, he has improved his scrummaging recently.

Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) is the next best option, so makes the cut, but he is unlikely to get serious game time. 

Hookers

Two Irish hookers in Dan Sheehan (Ireland) and Ronan Kelleher (Ireland) need to get in this squad, and it will likely be the case that one starts and one is on the bench. Indeed, it seems to work well for Ireland to bring one off for the other.

Jamie George (England) as third-choice is slightly more contentious, with Luke Cowan-Dickie currently favoured in the national side after recent injury concerns for George. Cowan-Dickie, though, has been decent but hasn't done enough to prove that he is better.

MORE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS NEWS: British & Irish Lions news: Andy Farrell should leave Finn Russell at home, claims Nick Mallett

Tighthead props

Probably the easiest position to pick as these three are a cut above the rest and will all be on the plane unless an injury happens or they hit some seriously bad form.

Tadgh Furlong (Ireland) has been withdrawn from the Ireland squad with a calf injury so is the likeliest of them all to miss out, but if he is fit, he should be the starter. 

Zander Fagerson (Scotland) and Will Stuart (England) make the cut too.

Should there be a need for a replacement, Ireland’s second-choice Finlay Bealham would be the next best option, as he has been a good back-up in recent times. 

Second rowers

Unsurprisingly given their physical dominance over recent years, Ireland take up three out of the five spots at second row. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), and James Ryan (Ireland) all make the trip.

Maro Itoje (England) is not only a brilliant leader but an outstanding player and should join them. The pairing of Itoje and Beirne would not only bring physicality in abundance but some extremely hard work too.

Some have called for exiled England player David Ribbans, who plays for Toulon in the Top 14, but that would be a risk given his lack of recent international experience. Instead, George Martin (England) heads to Australia.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Six Nations 2025 news: What we have learnt about each team after two rounds

Back rowers

Jac Morgan (Wales) is one of only two Wales players in this squad and rightly so after being a shining light in an otherwise very poor team. 

Toulouse’s Jack Willis (England) is the best flanker and, although he hasn’t played internationally for a little while now, playing in arguably the best club team in the world means that he deserves to be here. 

Ben Earl (England), Caelan Doris (Ireland), and Josh van der Flier (Ireland) are pretty straightforward.

The only contentious pick here comes in the form of Tom Curry (England), but Sale Sharks’ flanker continues to defy the odds and put in huge performances at both club and Test level. 

Scrum-halves

Another relatively simple pick, Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) is easily the best out of the Home Nations and is almost certain to be a starter.

Tomos Williams (Wales) has started the season extremely well for Gloucester and continues to be amongst the few players in Welsh colours who can hold their heads high. 

For the third pick, I would go with whoever is starting for England. Ben Spencer doesn’t seem to be getting a look in, so Alex Mitchell (England) gets the nod following his return from injury. Possibly better than Williams, Mitchell could make a strong case for being on the bench. 

READ MORE: Six Nations news: Five candidates to replace Warren Gatland as Wales head coach

Fly-halves

Experienced Owen Farrell (England) has already been on the past three Lions tours and, with his dad as head coach, will likely make it four. 

Youngsters Sam Prendergast (Ireland) and Fin Smith (England) should go as well and would be able to learn a lot from Farrell.

Unfortunately, although he may feel hard done by, Finn Russell is just not consistent enough to make it and the squad would need to be built around him in order to justify his inclusion.

Centres

If Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) is back to full fitness, then he should get in alongside Huw Jones (Scotland).

Bundee Aki (Ireland) is an absolute monster and has the technical attributes to thrive, so he would also be a good idea.

Ollie Lawrence (England) also makes the grade for the tour.

Ireland’s Garry Ringrose is versatile and available to play both sides, so he would be a good back-up option in case of injury.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN: Six Nations news: Six bold predictions for the 2025 Six Nations

Wingers

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) may be injured now, but he is the best in England and should be a serious contender to start if he is available. 

James Lowe (Ireland) has been tearing it up this Six Nations and will likely do the same in an Ireland-heavy squad due to already having chemistry with plenty of teammates. 

The Scottish duo of Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) and Darcy Graham (Scotland) both need to travel, the former for his experience and the latter for his immense ability to score tries. 

Full-backs

One of the easiest positions to pick in the travelling squad but arguably the hardest to pick in terms of starters. 

Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) and Hugo Keenan (Ireland) both travel, with Kinghorn edging the battle to start thanks to his versatility across the backline. Keenan is arguably better as a pure full-back, though, so it could go either way.

Tom Jordan (Scotland) joins them in the squad.

MORE FROM CHARLIE ELLIOT: Six Nations news: A complete beginner's guide to the Six Nations Championship