A Possible Dream Lion Team for the First Test Against Australia

It may be winter in Australia, but the race for a Lions test spot is certainly heating up. The best rugby players from Ireland, England, Scotland, and standout Welshman Jac Morgan are battling to secure their place in the starting XV for the first test on July 19th.

So far, Andy Farrell’s men have had an underwhelming tour, which has raised a lot of questions. Below-par performances by individuals and the collective are lifting Wallaby spirits ahead of the three-test series.

Test Team Options

There have been some positives, though, as the Lions have mixed the good with the bad. Ollie Chessum has impressed in Australia and looks likely to start at 6. The scrum has looked good, with the big battle now presumably between Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter for the No. 1 jersey.

If Chessum secures the No. 6 jersey, Tadhg Beirne, once seen as a sure thing for a test spot, will compete with his Irish teammate Joe McCarthy for a second-row position.

Possible Lions Test Team vs Australia

1️⃣5️⃣ Hugo Keenan:

Keenan is named in this squad purely because Blair Kinghorn went off injured against the Brumbies. If Kinghorn isn’t fit, the Irish full-back is next in line.

1️⃣4️⃣ Tommy Freeman:

The England winger is a real threat in this team and looks nailed on for that right wing slot ahead of Mack Hansen. He scored twice against the Reds and, given his form for England and Northampton, seems a certainty for No. 14.

1️⃣3️⃣ Garry Ringrose:

Ringrose has shown good form in Australia so far, but he remains a slightly surprising choice over Tuipulotu’s Scotland partner, Huw Jones. Jones has also been in top form, it must be said. However, if Farrell plans to break up one of those world-class Scottish or Irish centre partnerships, he might try it in the first test.

1️⃣2️⃣ Sione Tuipulotu:

The Scotland captain has done brilliantly to get back after an injury-curtailed season that kept him out of the Six Nations. He looks like he has done enough with the coaching staff to secure that No. 12 spot ahead of Bundee Aki.

1️⃣1️⃣ James Lowe:

The Ireland winger looks well placed to be the starting left wing, having seen off the challenge of Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe. He picked off his first Lions try against the Brumbies, and his left foot offers a fine kicking option as well

1️⃣0️⃣ Finn Russell:

Scotland’s talisman will surely start in tandem with Gibson-Park in a half-back partnership that could prove decisive for the Lions in the test series.

9️⃣ Jamison Gibson-Park:

Ireland’s No. 9 has slowly worked his way into the tour. However, it would be a huge shock if he is not the starting test scrum-half.

8️⃣ Jack Conan:

When Caelan Doris had to miss the tour, the big question was who would start at No. 8. Jack Conan has answered that question with his performances on tour. He offers a huge ball-carrying presence as well as an important line-out option. Much like in 2021, he has impressed under the most extreme pressure of a Lions tour.

7️⃣ Josh van der Flier:

Van der Flier’s relationship with Farrell and the coaching staff may earn him the No. 7 position against Australia. With so little between the Leinster man, Tom Curry, and Jac Morgan, whichever of the three world-class options Farrell opts for will know they have to perform, or their place will be taken ahead of the second test.

6️⃣ Ollie Chessum:

The surprise bolter of the tour, Chessum has earned his place at No. 6 for the first test due to his =aggression, ball-carrying, and physicality.

5️⃣ Tadhg Beirne:

Beirne gets the nod here, though many will fancy Joe McCarthy in Brisbane. McCarthy is a wonderful talent and would fully deserve his start, but a test team without Beirne would be a strange call for Andy Farrell.

4️⃣ Maro Itoje:

A Lions captain must dominate, especially in the line-out. Itoje stands out with his ability to poach and steal, qualities that are invaluable to the England captain’s game.

3️⃣ Tadhg Furlong:

Furlong looks like he has won the race to be the Lions tighthead ahead of the first test after proving his fitness in his starts so far. He was busy in the loose, as usual, against the Brumbies and looked solid in the scrum.

2️⃣ Dan Sheehan:

Despite Itoje being skipper, Sheehan is probably the most nailed-on starter in the Lions squad this summer. He will look to make his usual impact in the loose and be a huge try-scoring threat.

1️⃣ Ellis Genge:

Genge looks to be in a fight with Andrew Porter for a test place, and the England international seems to be winning that fight ahead of the first test.

Conclusion

Our predicted first test team includes 9 Irishmen, 4 English players, and 2 Scots. Regardless of the final line-up, the tourists' form suggests this series will be far more competitive than many expected.

The first test kicks off on July 19th, with the second and third matches on July 26th and August 2nd, respectively.

Stay tuned for more weekly sports content.