Brian O'Driscoll the latest name to back 'brilliant fit' Lions bolter

Former British and Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll has become the latest personality to back England and Sale Sharks fly-half George Ford to make Andy Farrell’s squad next month, saying he would be a “brilliant fit”.

With the Lions squad announcement a matter of days away on May 8, the position that has been the most keenly discussed in the lead-up is fly-half, with very little certainty as to who will be the three that will embark for Australia.

Finn Russell is the only No.10 across Britain and Ireland who could say with a fair degree with certainty that he will be going. Outside of that, there is plenty of competition.

Fin Smith and Sam Prendergast both boosted their chances across the course of the Guinness Six Nations, while Marcus Smith’s stock has fallen in 2025. Meanwhile, Owen Farrell’s shadow looms large across the English Channel despite a difficult first campaign with Racing 92.

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19 Jul 25

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But it is Farrell’s long-time England team-mate George Ford that appears to be making the most compelling late surge into the Lions selectors’ considerations.

With only a handful of minutes from the bench – albeit a highly impressive cameo – to his name in England’s entire Six Nations campaign, which came in the final match, Ford looked to be out of the running for the Lions midway through March. But he has returned to Sale and guided them to four successive league wins.

Following his 15-point display in Sale’s 25-7 victory over Saracens on Friday, his director of rugby Alex Sanderson flew the flag for Ford’s Lions selection, saying: “Are there three better fly-halves in Britain and Ireland than George? I don’t think so. He’s in a rich vein of form and he’s taking his team with him – but it (Lions selection) is not down to me.”

It appears four-time Lions tourist Brian O’Driscoll is in agreement with Sanderson. The eight-cap Lion took to X over the weekend to write: “Watched George Ford last night run things for Sale. He could be a brilliant fit for the Lions. Great control, passing & running game. There’s no sentiment in sport but if ever a player deserved to play at the highest level…”

O’Driscoll’s former Lions midfield comrade Jamie Roberts seems to be of a similar mindset, commenting “Agree. Top player and on form.”

Ford’s Lions hopes were only boosted the following day when his England team-mate and competitor for a Lions slot Marcus Smith hobbled off the pitch in Harlequins’ defeat to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.

While there is nothing definitive about the extent of Smith’s injury yet, Quins boss Danny Wilson confirmed after the match that he will go for a scan.

“It’s his ankle,” he said. “We don’t know how bad at the moment but he showed his toughness by digging in as he always does. Unfortunately it got worse and at the end he was struggling to be able to execute and will have a scan.”

Despite an international career that has now spanned over a decade, the 32-year-old Ford is yet to make a Lions tour.

With 99 caps to his name now, England’s tour of Argentina in July looked to be the place where Ford would become a Test centurion. He may still achieve that feat this summer, but he may be wearing a different jersey.

Watched George Ford last night run things for Sale. He could be a brilliant fit for the @lionsofficial. Great control, passing & running game. There’s no sentiment in sport but if ever a player deserved to play at the highest level….

— Brian O’Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) April 26, 2025