The 5 Six Nations stars aiming to lock in British & Irish Lions tour spots

The final auditions for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia will take place over the coming weeks with players from the four home unions knowing a strong Guinness Six Nations could secure their places in Andy Farrell’s squad.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five stars looking to either press their claims for selection in the matchday 23 against the Wallabies or prove they should be taken Down Under.

Tomos Williams, Wales

Unless Wales orchestrate a dramatic revival over the next two months they are likely to be poorly represented on the Lions tour, but in Tomos Williams they possess a talent capable of winning a place in the Test 23. The livewire scrum-half has been outstanding for Gloucester this season and emerged as one of the few members of Warren Gatland’s squad to enhance his reputation during the team’s dismal 2024.

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Garry Ringrose, Ireland

Even though Sione Tuipulotu has been ruled out of the Six Nations he is still expected to claim the inside centre duties against the Wallabies, but the the picture is less clear at 13. His Scotland partner Huw Jones is one option, as is Ringrose, whose defensive expertise is matched by his ability with the ball in hand, acceleration and footwork. The 29-year-old also covers wing, making him a valuable squad option.

Blair Kinghorn, Scotland

Recently shifted on to the wing at Toulouse when Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos are both fit, Kinghorn will have the Six Nations to prove he should be the Lions’ Test full-back. The move to the south of France has reinvigorated his game, not least because he now has to fight for his place in the team after years of automatic selection at Edinburgh. An instinctive player whose game has benefited from time spent at fly-half, the only downside is that he will miss the start of the Lions tour if – as expected – Toulouse reach the Top 14 final.

Ollie Chessum, England

Competing in a ferociously area of the squad with the more established Tadhg Beirne also providing the option of a second row who can play blindside flanker, but a fit Chessum could still be an asset to the Lions. The Leicester forward’s work rate is vital for England, covering a huge amount of metres, filling in gaps in defence and bringing line speed. While not as physical as some of his rivals, his mobility enables the selection of bigger players around him. Avoiding injury has been a challenge and he is returning from a knee problem.

Joe McCarthy, Ireland

England’s Maro Itoje is seen as a certainty to start against the Wallabies, so the race is on to join him in the second row with McCarthy shaping up to be the ideal foil. Since his snarling Six Nations debut against France 12 months ago, the 23-year-old has started every Test for Ireland and has impressed with his work on both sides of the ball. More of an enforcer than defensive kingpin Itoje, he has the championship to show that his stellar 2024 was just the beginning.