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Overseas Lions XV: Four Scots, ten Englishmen and one Welshman make the cut
By Ian Cameron
The 2025 British & Irish Lions squad has been named, with Andy Farrell unveiling a 38-man group set to tour Australia this summer.
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As ever, the announcement came with its share of debatable calls.
While the official selection wasn’t limited to players based in the UK and Ireland, a number of high-profile names currently playing overseas were never truly in contention; while others, despite strong club form, simply didn’t make the cut.
This XV is made up entirely of British and Irish players based abroad who were not selected by Farrell and co. From World Cup veterans to bolters thriving in France and Japan, these exiles continue to make their mark at club level—even if a Lions call never came.
15. Henry Arundell (Racing 92)
Arundell’s explosive start at Racing has cooled due to injury, but the raw pace and finishing touch remain. Still just 22, he’s one of the few bright sparks in a club season that has otherwise unravelled.
14. Jonny May (Soyaux-Angoulême)
Now operating in the Pro D2, May rolled back the years with a hat-trick this weekend. The speed isn’t maybe what it once was, but the broken-field danger still flickers in the right conditions.
13. Manu Tuilagi (Bayonne)
Bayonne have a bruiser in their midfield. Tuilagi’s carrying threat endures, even if the body doesn’t let him unleash it every weekend. His presence alone bends defences.
12. Owen Farrell (Racing 92)
Farrell’s first season in Paris has been plagued by injuries and Racing’s deep-rooted issues. Still, the former England captain has brought structure when fit, and the intensity never wavers.
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11. Jack Nowell (La Rochelle)
Had barely been able to string together games due to injury last season but remains one of the great all-court backs of his generation. Has started 100 per cent of the 20 matches he’s played in this season.
10. Stuart Hogg (Montpellier)
A fullback by trade but deployed at 10 with increasing regularity. Hogg has shown flashes of brilliance in a struggling Montpellier outfit and remains one of the game’s most entertaining broken-field runners.
9. Ben White (Toulon)
Neat and composed, White has fitted in well at Toulon. Quick service, a good kicking game, and an ability to read the tempo make him an assured operator behind any pack.
1. Mako Vunipola (Vannes)
Now in the Top 14 with Vannes, Mako brings heavyweight pedigree to the front row. The former Lion’s carrying game and subtle hands still offer value in a league that appreciates both.
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2. George Turner (Kobelco Kobe Steelers)
The Scottish hooker has settled in well in Japan, where his abrasive style and consistent darts have translated neatly. Out of sight, but still punching.
3. Kyle Sinckler (Toulon)
Toulon took a punt on the tighthead who was struggling for form at Bristol. It was a canny bet. Has been a rock for Toulon all season, even if there were a couple of yellow cards for his sins.
4. Jonny Gray (Bordeaux Begles)
Now at Bordeaux-Bègles, Gray has quietly gone about his work with trademark efficiency—tackling everything, calling lineouts, and rarely making a fuss. While criminally never selected for the Lions, injury has limited his Test output in recent years.
5. Will Rowlands (Racing 92)
Racing’s season has been messy, but Rowlands has held the second row together. A giant of a man, his shift work often goes underappreciated.
6. Courtney Lawes (Brive)
A towering forward with a CV to match. Lawes has slotted into life at Brive where he has shown this season, even at the ripe old age of 36, that he’s very much still got it.
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse)
A standout all season for Toulouse, Willis has brought relentless breakdown pressure and physicality. He dominated both Curry twins in the Champions Cup clash with Sale and remains one of the most baffling omissions from Andy Farrell’s squad.
8. Billy Vunipola (Montpellier)
Montpellier’s heavyweight signing. Billy remains one of the game’s most effective gainline merchants, particularly off set-piece. The aura hasn’t vanished, even if Montpellier’s season has been one long struggle session.
Honourable mentions
Sam Simmonds (Montpellier): Simmonds has had to graft hard in a disjointed Montpellier team. The pace and offloading ability are still there for the former Exeter Chief standout and 2021 Lions tourist.
Joe Marchant (Stade Français): Classy and consistent in Paris, operating across the backline with typical finesse.
Dave Ribbans (Toulon): Brings heft and a solid engine to the Toulon second row.
Lewis Ludlam (Toulon): All-action flanker who’s been a standout in the back row rotation.
Jack Maunder (Agen): Currently playing in France after leaving the defunct Melbourne Rebels franchise.
Will Collier (Castres): A sturdy tighthead who continues to do the basics well at a demanding level.
Need another couple kiwis in there to make them competitive though.
Not sure what you mean by this. “Another couple..” would tend to imply that there are already a couple of kiwis in the list above. From what I can see there are no New Zealand born players at all in the team in the article. Perhaps you were referring to Rob's comment about Joey Carbury. Can you explain what you mean by “another couple kiwis”? This is an article entirely about British and Irish players based overseas, not a World XV.
I’d have Carbury over Hogg at 10 any day of the week
Or even Lancaster.