Breaking News: Planet Rugby’s Predicted 39-Man British and Irish Lions Squad; Injuries Cloud Doris’ Selection, Itoje Favorite for Captaincy
In a major shakeup, former tour stalwart Caelan Doris’ potential absence due to injury has thrown the British and Irish Lions’ squad selection into flux, with Planet Rugby predicting a front-line back-row reshuffle. Doris’ probable absence has opened the door for Agatha Christie enthusiasts like Tom Willis and Ben Earl to vie for the number eight spot, while Jac Morgan, Jack Conan, and Josh van der Flier jostle for flanker positions.
In the backs, Marcus Smith’s utility value has cemented his selection, which could see him slot in at fullback, with Blair Kinghorn’s injury status adding intrigue. Scotland stars Darcy Graham and Sione Tuipulotu have also earned spots despite fitness concerns of their own. The fly-half battle remains a three-horse race with Finn Russell, Fin Smith, and George Ford all in contention.
Maro Itoje’s strong Six Nations campaign has put him in pole position to lead the Lions Down Under, with the England lock set to don the captain’s armband in Andy Farrell’s absence. The forward pack sees Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, England’s Will Stuart and Ellis Genge, and Scottish duo Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson all making the cut.
Planet Rugby has predicted a 39-man squad, with reinforcements like Blair Murray ready to step in should any late fitness concerns arise. Confirmation of the final squad will come this Thursday, with Farrell facing several selection dilemmas ahead of the crucial tour. Stay tuned for further updates.
The British & Irish Lions: Our Predicted 39-Man Squad Ahead of Thursday’s Big Reveal
Buckle up, Lions fans! Planet Rugby is here with our final 39-man dream team ready to roar down under, just one day before Andy Farrell pulls back the curtains on his squad. We’ve pored over the performances, crunched the stats, and huddled with our rugby brains trust to bring you this ultimate squad prophecy.
Backs: The Swift & The Stealthy
Utility Back: Marcus Smith (England)
Let’s kick things off with a potential hot topic – Marcus Smith. He’s not just a fly-half, he’s a utility option that could set the world alight at full-back too. Smith’s enchanting performances in an England shirt have been unmissable, and his versatility makes him a mouth-watering prospect for a bench 6:2 split.
Our back-three remix includes six players brimming with potential and experience. Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham, Ireland’s Hugo Keenan, England’s Tommy Freeman, and Ireland’s James Lowe are all nailed on. The only question mark? Wales’ Blair Murray or Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe. Both could cause the Wallabies headaches, but Murray’s versatility tips the scales in his favor.
Centres: The Powerful & The Perceptive
Four pillars of strength and skill make up our centre quartet. Ireland’s Bundee Aki is a sure bet, while Scotland’s injured duo Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu should make the cut given their expected return to fitness. Lastly, Scotland’s Tom Jordan could be the joker in the pack, offering unpredictability and versatility.
Fly-Halves: The Precision & The Pizzazz
We couldn’t separate Finn Russell and Fin Smith, so they’re both in. England’s George Ford completes our trio, returning to form in style with Sale Sharks and boasting bags of Test match experience.
Did you know?
Sam Warburton has been touting Caelan Doris’ replacement for the Lions. With Doris’ injury cloud looming, Tom Willis might just be the man to fill those sizeable boots.
Scrum-Halves: The Snappy & The Steady
Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park, England’s Alex Mitchell, and Wales’ Tomos Williams – job done! All three have been firing on all cylinders and deserve their spots.
Forwards: The Mighty & The Mobile
Our back-row is a tourists’ dream, but it wasn’t easy to pick. England’s Henry Pollock storms into the squad after his heroic performance against Leinster. Sadly, Caelan Doris‘ injury prognosis keeps him out, opening the door for England’s Tom Willis.
Joining Willis in the back-row are England’s Ben Earl, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Wales’ Taulupe Faletau, Ireland’s Jack Conan, and Josh van der Flier.
Locks, Hookers, and Props all picked themselves, with monstrous talents like Maro Itoje, Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Dan Sheehan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dewi Lake, Will Stuart, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, Pierre Schoeman, and Zander Fagerson all making the cut.
Captain Fantastic
With Doris out of the race, Farrell’s captaincy conundrum gets a little easier. Morgan, Beirne, and Sheehan are all in the mix, but the clear front-runner is… *drumroll*… England’s Maro Itoje! Farrell’s new weapon at the helm could just be the secret sauce to a successful tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the utility backs in this squad?
A: Marcus Smith and Blair Murray (who can play both wing and full-back) are our utility backs.
Q: Which forwards were the toughest to leave out?
A: Caelan Doris’ injury is a massive blow, and his likely absence leaves tantalizing talents like David Ribbans, T вдоми Simmonds, andaird Hudson※яВваЬГр вђњнлщљ Maximum width of 780px.коИщВйЗлщљ =========================================================================== вљ Moderne Antiqua Zero Y thats. out in the cold.
Join The Pride: Share Your Thoughts Below!
So there you have it, folks – our Planet Rugby dream team ready to storm Australia! Did we nail it, or have we missed a blockbuster? Let us know your thoughts below, and don’t forget to share this article with your fellow Lions fans. Here’s to a walloping down under!