We’ll have a look back in four years….
With the Lions over for another four years, why not keep the buzz going with a predicted Test team for the 2029 Tour of New Zealand.
The likelihood is that our selection will be relatively far off, but there should still be a strong Irish contingent.
Front row
Prop wise, there were no youngsters on the 2025 Lions Tour, with the last born being 29-year-old Will Stuart.
While we would love to predict a Paddy McCarthy or Niall Smyth starting in four years, we’ll play it safe and go for an old yet vastly experienced prop duo.
It’s a toss up at loosehead between Andrew Porter and Ellis Genge, but the former wins out being a year younger.
After cruelly missing this year’s Tour through injury, we’re backing Zander Fagerson to come back strongly in New Zealand.
At hooker, Dan Sheehan is as close to a banker as you will find when predicting a team for four years from now.
The Leinster man will be 30 and still well in his prime.
Second row
Incredibly, Maro Itoje is only 30 years of age, despite being a huge figure in the game for nearly a decade.
Already a Lions legend, he will be looking for his 12th Test cap in 2029 and to cement himself as an all-time Lions great.
Joe McCarthy had a wonderful debut Tour in Australia, despite missing the third and second Tests through injury, and is still only a baby in lock years.
Back row
This is a particularly tough area to predict, given the youth of this year’s crop, with Ollie Chessum, 24, Jac Morgan, 25, Tom Curry, 27, and Henry Pollock, 20.
Given how essential set-piece success is in the modern game, we’ll go for the lock/blindside hybrid of Chessum at 6.
The sensible choice would be Curry at openside, but Pollock with another four years of rugby under his belt is too tempting.
And a 31-year-old Caelan Doris to captain the squad!
Half-back
Although he unluckily missed out on selection this year behind Ben White, Craig Casey has the aura of a man who was born to be a Test Lion.
As Ronan O’Gara pointed out during this year’s Tour, experience is particularly essential at out-half, so Marcus Smith gets the nod over his namesake Fin.
Hopefully Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley will also be in the discussion.
Centre
An old and wily centre could be the play here with a 34-year-old Garry Ringrose, but more Scottish representation is needed, so Sione Tuipulotu makes the cut.
Jamie Osborne’s audition in this year’s Tour went beautifully with a two-try debut against the First Nations & Pasifika XV.
Back three
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was the man of the moment last year and many people’s favourite to start for the Lions this summer.
Injury put paid to his hopes, but at just 22, he has years left in the tank.
Mack Hansen will only be 31 in New Zealand, while Tommy Freeman will be 28.
Both men should be in contention.
Hugo Keenan will have just turned 33 in the summer of 2029.
And while the is old-ish for a fullback, he is not a man who relies on top-tier athleticism or pace, although he is no slouch either.
What sets him apart is his ability to cover the backfield, his aerial prowess, and most crucially, his knack of delivering when the pressure is at its highest.
2029 Lions Test XV vs New Zealand
- Andrew Porter
- Dan Sheehan
- Zander Fagerson
- Maro Itoje
- Joe McCarthy
- Ollie Chessum
- Henry Pollock
- Caelan Doris
- Craig Casey
- Marcus Smith
- Tommy Freeman
- Jamie Osborne
- Sione Tuipulotu
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
- Hugo Keenan
