Could they still make the squad?
British and Irish Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, announced his 38-man squad at London’s O2 arena yesterday afternoon.
The door is still left open for potentially some players who were left out, with out-half Owen Farrell likely to be called up.
Let’s have a look at a XV of the best players, who just missed out on being included in the current squad announcement.
1. Nicky Smith (Wales)
A highly rated scrummager, who is currently with the Leicester Tigers in England.
The Welshman, who has over 50 caps for his country, has been a key part for the Tigers’ push for the Premiership play-offs.
This wasn’t enough for him to beat Pierre Schoeman, of Scotland, to the last of three loose-head spots with Andrew Porter and Ellis Genge highly expected to have taken the other two spots.
2. Jamie George (England)
The 100 capped Englishman and veteran hooker, currently playing for Saracens in England, missed out on spot to fellow Englishman Luke-Cowan Dickie.
A former England captain, and a reliable performer who made numerous impacts off the bench during England’s 2025 Six Nations campaign.
George’s omission to some, looks like a mistake.
3. Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
The tighthead prop has been a key man for Ireland in the last two Six Nations, reaching a milestone 50 caps in Ireland’s defeat to France in this years campaign.
The Connacht star missed out on a place in the squad to national teammate, Tadgh Furlong, despite Furlong’s struggles for form and minutes this season.
4. Courtney Lawes (England)
Another former England captain, who is also currently retired from the national team since 2023.
The blindside flanker has found a resurgence in his form at second division French club Brive this season, but is currently not playing at the top level.
The veteran still felt he could “contribute to a Lions team” and would “love to get the opportunity”, but the likes of Tadgh Beirne and Ollie Chessum were selected instead.
5. Dafydd Jenkins (Wales)
Captain for Exeter Chiefs, playing as a lock, missed out due to some stiff competition from the aforementioned Beirne and Chessum, alongside the likes of Scott Cummings who has only recently returned from a broken arm.
With only two Welsh players included in the squad, the former Welsh captain couldn’t find a way to make Farrell’s plans.
6. Caelin Doris (Ireland)
The Irish skipper may very well have made the final squad, if not for a shoulder injury which looks like it will sideline the No.8 for six months.
The Leinster man is said to be “devastated” to miss out, according to the Lions head coach, with fellow Irishman Jack Conan likely to play in the No.8 in Doris’ absence.
7. Jack Willis (England)
A star man for Toulouse in France, with the flanker’s omission shocking many.
He hasn’t received many Test caps in recent times and could’ve missed three tour matches.
Scotsman Blair Kinghorn, who made the squad, may also miss matches and the rise of Henry Pollock who can play in the back row, has led to Farrell deciding to omit Willis.
8. Toby Faletau (Wales)
The 34-year-old is seen as one of the finest No.8’s of his generation, yet is another Welsh casualty to not make the squad.
With doubts surrounding where he will play his club rugby next season, as he is soon to be out of contract with Cardiff, playing just six games in 17 months didn’t do his chances any favours.
The lack of specialist no.8s, and Doris’ absence, may lead to a chance of a future call up.
9. Craig Casey (Ireland)
The Munster scrum half was sidelined for months with a knee injury and missed the Six Nations, but came back into some good form for his club in the lead up to the squad announcement.
His form led to him being touted as a bolter for the Lions by England legend Andy Goode, on The Rugby Pod.
The likes of Irishman, Jamison Gibson-Park, and Englishman, Alex Mitchell, just edged him out. Casey is another who could get a future call up.
10. George Ford (England)
Ford has been in some excellent form for his club Sales Sharks, but it wasn’t enough to make the cut as the fly-half faced stiff competition.
The Lions head coach insisted, however, he wasn’t the competition wasn’t from fellow fly-half Marcus Smith, but instead Finn Russell and Fin Smith.
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ireland)
Stockdale was a long shot to be included, but had been impressing for Ulster and Ireland in the autumn internationals before a hamstring injury.
The wing couldn’t find a spot over fellow countrymen, James Lowe and Mack Hansen, alongside the likes of Scotsman Duhan van der Merwe.
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)
The Leinster man, who occupies the centre position, was the biggest omission in the backs that surprised people.
The likes of national teammate Bundee Aki beat Henshaw for a spot.
Henshaw has been in good form for Leinster, signing a new deal with the IRFU and Leinster last December, but is currently not going to make his third Lions tour.
13. Ollie Lawrence (England)
The centre Englishman, currently playing for Bath, is currently nursing an Achilles injury which he picked up in England’s Six Nations win over Italy back in March.
14. Darcy Graham (Scotland)
The Edinburgh’s man’s omission from the squad was one of the biggest talking points following the announcement.
Graham has been in superb form for his club and country, and Scotland fans weren’t too happy with his exclusion, for the currently injured Irish wing Mack Hansen.
15. Blair Murray (Wales)
Murray was a bright spot in a difficult Welsh Six Nations campaign, receiving praise for his strong performances.
The versatile Scarlets man who primarily play as a wing, full-back or fly half, still could not find a spot in Farrell’s Lions squad.
