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From The 42profiles
From green to red: meet Ireland’s Lions for the 2025 Tour
Andy Farrell has selected 16 Irish players for this summer’s tour of Australia.
Andrew Porter
NOW CONSIDERED ONE of the finest looseheads in the world, Porter was earmarked for his extraordinary physical strength even as far back as his school days at St Andrew’s College. The 29-year-old is almost unique in his ability to deliver 80-minute performances for Leinster and Ireland from one of the sport’s most taxing positions. GC
Dan Sheehan
Sheehan wasn’t a schoolboy sensation as he came through Clongowes Wood College and initially it looked like he might not make the grade with Leinster. But since his breakthrough 2020/21 season, he has been a true force. He is arguably now the best hooker in the world. MK
Ronan Kelleher
The Leinster player broke into the Ireland team in 2020 and toured with the Lions in 2021, without getting on the pitch. In the years since he’s been engaged in a fascinating battle with fellow hooker Dan Sheehan, making the number two shirt among the most competitive at club and country. CK
Tadhg Furlong
Arguably the greatest prop Irish rugby has ever produced, mixing raw scrummaging power with a rare skillset for a front row player. The Wexford tighthead will be one of the first names on Andy Farrell’s teamsheet – if he can stay fit. It’s been a frustrating season for the 32-year-old, who only featured eight times for Leinster and once for Ireland. Started all three Tests on the 2021 tour. CK
Finlay Bealham
A native of Canberra in Australia, the tighthead prop will be visiting familiar terrain. Bealham qualified to play for Ireland through his Enniskillen-born granny. He moved over in 2010 and has become a Connacht legend, as we as a key figure for Ireland. A late injury call-up will bring the 33-year-old back to home soil. MK
Joe McCarthy
The 24-year-old wasn’t an obvious future star as he came through Blackrock College, McCarthy played for the C team in third year. A growth spurt before sixth year saw the second row kick on, then destructive performances in the AIL with Trinity furthered his cause, before he accelerated with Leinster and Ireland. MK
James Ryan
In 2017, Ryan famously made his Ireland Test debut before winning his first cap for Leinster. Now an important leader in both squads, the lock brings aggression and a high workrate to the second row. Has faced a tough battle for a starting spot in the Ireland team at times, but the 28-year-old has looked back to his best this season. CK
Tadhg Beirne
Beirne was released by his native Leinster in 2016 and has taken a scenic route towards legendary status in the game, starring for Scarlets in Wales before returning to Ireland with Munster in 2018. Famed for his turnover threat and rousing moments of defiance, the 33-year-old Kildare man has since earned 61 caps for Ireland and came off the bench in two Lions Tests in South Africa. GC
Josh van der Flier
The World Rugby player of the year in 2022, an award that came off the back of van der Flier missing out on selection for the 2021 Lions tour. The openside flanker was close to travelling, even getting measured for Lions gear. Consistent excellence has now earned the Wicklow man his shot. MK
Jack Conan
Conan recently captained Leinster to the URC title at Croke Park in the absence of Caelan Doris, and Doris’ injury this summer will open the door for the popular Bray man to add to his three Lions Test starts from South Africa. A dynamic, ball-carrying back row, Conan has starred in three Six Nations triumphs with Ireland, primarily adding impact off the bench. GC
Jamison Gibson-Park
Scrum-half Gibson-Park landed at Leinster as a relatively unheralded talent from New Zealand in 2016. Though he qualified to play for Ireland via residency in 2019, it was a further year before he first made an impact with his adopted country and his career began to truly ascend. A likely Lions Test starter, the late-blooming 33-year-old will bring speed, invention and superb defensive instincts to the touring party. GC
Garry Ringrose
Comparisons to Brian O’Driscoll put the pressure on Ringrose from a young age, but the Leinster centre has established himself as a classy, consistent performer at the highest level. His defensive work at 13 is crucial. Makes the tour having been unfortunate to miss out in 2017 and 2021. CK
Bundee Aki
The New Zealand native has become a totemic figure for Connacht and Ireland, who he qualified for on residency grounds, since arriving in 2014. Aki played in two Tests on the last Lions tour and the 35-year-old’s battle with Sione Tuipulotu for the 12 shirt this time should be titanic. MK
Mack Hansen
Left Australia to join Connacht in 2021, with a family connection to Cork making him eligible to play for Ireland. An instant hit, Hansen was Connacht’s player of the year in his first season and was capped by Ireland in the 2022 Six Nations. Brings moments of skill and unpredictability, on and off the pitch – will be the only player on tour with a tattoo of head coach Andy Farrell. CK
James Lowe
A star for Leinster since arriving in 2017, Lowe had a couple of teething problems in Test rugby with Ireland after qualifying via residency in 2020. But the Kiwi native improved his defence hugely and has been pivotal on the left wing for Ireland under Farrell. MK
Hugo Keenan
A Leinster Schools Senior Cup winner with Blackrock College in 2014, Keenan has become one of the world’s most consistent performers at fullback. His defensive IQ, tackle technique and aerial ability make him a nuisance for opposition, as does his ability to initiate attacks in broken play. GC
– Murray Kinsella, Ciarán Kennedy & Gavan Casey
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