British & Irish Lions news: A forward pack of players not selected by Andy Farrell for Australia tour

Andy Farrell has chosen his squad for the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, giving 38 players what will no doubt be one of the best experiences of their careers.

However, the cut-throat nature of professional sport has also left a number of top-class players devastated that their name was not called out during the live event on May 8.

Some may even remember former England prop Kyle Sinckler’s honest and emotional post-match interview following his initial exclusion from the tour of South Africa in 2021, when he described the dark place he was in after not hearing his name read out and how he used that disappointment to fuel a player of the match performance for the Bristol Bears.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jacob Garrett picks eight players who will feel hard done by not to be sitting on the plane Down Under.

Loosehead prop – Nicky Smith

Nicky Smith has been exceptional for Leicester Tigers in the Premiership this season.

A solid scrummager with a top work rate, he has solidified himself as one of the first names on Michael Cheika’s teamsheet while becoming a real rock at the foundation of the Tigers’ play-off ambitions.

His form has also translated to the international stage, especially during the Guinness Six Nations when he was one of the few shining lights for a struggling Welsh outfit.

As a result, Smith can rightly feel hard done by in not making it onto the plane, but he will definitely be top of the list if any of his rivals become unavailable.

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Hooker – Jamie George

It has been a troubled year for Jamie George, one which saw the England captaincy taken away from him, but the Saracens ever-present has not allowed it to shake his game on the pitch.

As one of the most consistent performers in the two-shirt and someone who offers solid lineout darts, rock-hard defence, and no shortage of leadership qualities, George can also feel hard done by to not be heading Down Under.

After playing in and being a key member of two Lions tours, including starting all three Tests in 2017 against New Zealand, his experience speaks for itself.

Many Lions fans will remember his try assist for Sean O’Brien in the first of those Tests against the All Blacks, topping off some fine work by his fellow backs in the process.

George has not rested on his laurels and leaned on his experience since, with his recent performances for Saracens particularly outstanding.

Sharing the two-shirt with youngster Theo Dan – a name to remember for the next Lions tour – George has remained at his best, even adding some try-scoring prowess in the loose to his game, as evidenced by his try against Gloucester at the StoneX.

Along with the likes of Dewi Lake, the former England captain would not be out of place if a last-minute plane ticket became available.

Tighthead prop – Fin Baxter

The 23-year-old Fin Baxter has been a real quality act during his rise to Steve Borthwick’s England squad, often coming off the bench for Ellis Genge, who did make his way onto the plane Down Under.

Coined the ‘baby-faced assassin’, his skill set is off the charts for a prop forward.

Baxter’s hard-carrying mixed with his soft hands, honed by the Harlequins’ signature style of play, has made him a quality operator.

Indeed, the youngster’s ability to play both sides of the scrum would have almost seen him make his way onto Farrell’s plane.

But with a lot of Baxter’s international game time coming in the 17 shirt, perhaps this year’s tour comes a bit too soon in an ever-competitive prop position.

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Second row – David Ribbans

After leaving for the south of France as a Premiership champion with the Northampton Saints, many thought David Ribbans was going to be a bit-part player for a powerhouse RC Toulon side.

Yet, following some injuries and an immense uptick in form, the Englishman finds himself not only a key cog in Patrice Collazo’s side but also the occasional captain, including in a close defeat to local rivals Toulouse in the Champions Cup.

Ribbans’ combination of physicality and good handwork makes him a quality operator in any side, but the timing issues within the Top 14 may have put a cross next to his name come decision-making time.

Second row – Dafydd Jenkins

Dafydd Jenkins has been at the very top of the locks list for a while now, certainly when it comes to the northern hemisphere.

Having formerly captained both club and country despite his youth, Jenkins is a real talent.

At only 22, the Exeter Chiefs star is a solid performer both at set-piece time and in the loose – a traditional workhorse of a second rower with a sprinkle of the classic ‘dark arts’.

And with the second row being a fairly lightweight position, I was personally fairly surprised that his name did not get read out a couple of weeks ago.

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Blindside flanker – Jamie Ritchie

James Ritchie is a proper athlete when wearing the six or seven shirt, although he has had to endure his fair share of criticism recently.

However, in this year’s Six Nations, the Edinburgh star put all of those critics to bed, being an excellent partner to Rory Darge – another Scot unlucky not to be on the plane.

As a former captain of the national side who clearly struggled with the pressure, the removal of such a burden turned Ritchie into a monster around the park as he became part of everything good about the Scottish pack.

He is likely one of several victims of the back-row competition in Farrell’s squad but would have done a stellar job if given the opportunity.

Openside flanker – Jack Willis

A lot has been made of Jack Willis’ career so far.

After being forced out of his boyhood club London Wasps due to their administration, the highly-tipped flanker found himself in the south of France with Toulouse and has since gone from strength to strength.

Willis has spoken a lot about the work he has put in off the pitch, especially in terms of learning the language, and he has by all accounts thrown himself into French rugby culture.

Much like Ribbans, the Englishman has become a key member of a mercurial Toulouse side.

For me, if he were eligible, Willis would be the best player in Borthwick’s England side.

A monster in defence and one of the best players at the breakdown, the flanker has also added a touch of flair to his multifaceted game thanks to the Toulouse effect.

If it were not for the tricky dates involved with the Top 14, the Englishman would have walked onto the plane and been one of the best talents of the tour.

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Number eight – Tom Willis

Brother to Jack, Tom Willis has been a revelation since returning to British shores after a short time in France.

With Caelan Doris injured and out for up to six months, I thought it would be good to give airtime to a name outside the box, and Tom has been one of the standout players of this year’s Premiership.

And considering his unbelievable performance against Northampton Saints, I think it is fair to say that the Saracens man took his exclusion personally.

A giant of a player who moves like someone a fraction of his size, Tom’s bullying runs have become a staple of every Saracens game.

After a decent start to his international career, I could definitely see the younger Willis brother making his way onto a Lions tour at some point.

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