SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: My Lions XV to smash Australia, including who should be captain and the English left-field candidate that Andy Farrell cannot ignore
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England’s strong finish to the Six Nations has catapulted far more of Steve Borthwick’s players into Lions contention than there were before the Championship began.
But, for me, it is a Scot who should be the guiding light for Andy Farrell’s side in Australia this summer. Finn Russell is still the right man to lead the Lions from No 10.
The fly-half debate has been blown wide open this year. Most people would have had Russell or Marcus Smith as their leading candidates at the start of 2025.
But Smith has spent large parts of the Six Nations at full-back and been replaced by Fin Smith, who has looked more assured with every game. Fin Smith could well be the understudy to Russell.
Meanwhile, the emergence of Sam Prendergast, who started the Championship in excellent form with Ireland only to tail off slightly, has really put the cat among the pigeons.
To me, the fly-half selection will be between Russell, Prendergast and the two Smiths – Marcus and Fin. Northampton pivot Fin Smith had a really good Six Nations.
Andy Farrell has many selection headaches ahead of the Lions tour to Australia this summer
Despite several candidates pushing their case, Finn Russell should be the Lions' No 10
Fin Smith looked more assured with every game and could be selected as Russell's understudy
You could put Marcus Smith and Russell in the same category as ‘expect the unexpected’ and X-factor fly-halves.
Fin Smith offers a more controlled alternative and is seemingly unflappable with an outstanding passing game. He is the closest challenger to Russell for the Test No 10 jersey. Prendergast sits somewhere in the middle.
Some people have questioned Prendergast’s defence. But too often in rugby, we look at what players can’t do rather than what they can. And Prendergast’s passing game is so good it outweighs any tackling worries even if, of course, he will want to improve in that area.
Prendergast is on the plane for me, with his close relationship with Farrell from Ireland also a big tick in his box.
Russell is still my No 1, however. Yes, he can blow hot and cold. But Russell can pull the strings of any attack in the world. And playing behind a Lions pack who should be hopeful of achieving forward dominance against the Wallabies will help no end. Russell doesn’t get that luxury too often with Scotland whose forwards aren’t great.
Marcus Smith’s versatility could mean that he, Fin Smith, Russell and Prendergast all make the travelling party, depending on its size.
France might have won the Six Nations and deservedly so. But the Six Nations showed me there is significant talent in the Home Nations which will have imbued Farrell with joy.
Wales, however, are set for minimal representation although their outstanding captain Jac Morgan will surely travel. Morgan plays in the most competitive position of the lot – the back row.
Marcus Smith was a strong No 10 candidate, but played at full-back for a lot of the Six Nations
It's been a difficult period for Wales, but captain Jac Morgan will surely travel this summer
Jack Willis must also be picked by Andy Farrell even though he remains ineligible for England
Scotland's Blair Kinghorn, like Willis, is up there with the best players available to Farrell
There is one Englishman Farrell must pick in that area of the field and it’s one who didn’t play a minute of the Six Nations. Jack Willis is ineligible for international rugby because of his club employment with Toulouse. As I’ve always maintained, that is ridiculous.
Willis’s form for the last two years in France has been extraordinary. He is undoubtedly a Test Lion in waiting. If Toulouse reach the latter stages of the TOP14 and Champions Cup – as expected – then Willis will miss the start of the tour. The same applies to Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn, who is also with Toulouse.
But as an international coach, your remit is to pick the best available players. Both Willis and Kinghorn are in my Test team.
To me, it doesn’t matter if they are absent for the first few weeks. Their undoubted quality means they have to be in the side, fitness permitting.
I’d play Willis at blindside flanker with Caelan Doris at No 8 and Morgan or Tom Curry on the openside.
Curry has had a brilliant Six Nations for England and, based on the evidence of round five, he wins that battle currently.
Either Doris or Maro Itoje would be my captain. A lot of emphasis is placed on the Lions leadership and rightly so because it is a hugely prestigious honour.
But actually, I don’t think it matters which one of Doris and Itoje does the job. Both are certain starters and would carry out the role expertly.
Either Caelan Doris or Maro Itoje would be my captain for the tour. A lot of emphasis is placed on the Lions leadership and rightly so because it is a hugely prestigious honour
England tighthead prop Will Stuart has put forward a convincing case after a strong few weeks
Huw Jones can lead a strong centres partnership with Scotland team-mate Sione Tuipulotu
England players such as Will Stuart, Fin Smith, Ben Earl and Curry all have Lions claims after a strong few weeks.
Tighthead prop is an interesting one and Stuart has really grown in stature. He will rival Scotland’s Zander Fagerson hard with Tadhg Furlong struggling for fitness.
I expect to see plenty of Scots in the back line, too. Russell and Kinghorn will lead the charge with Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones a strong potential centre pairing, leapfrogging the Irish midfield options who have not had the threat of recent seasons.
I really like Jones. He’s in great form. And although Tuipulotu missed the Six Nations due to injury, he should be back fit next month. His form before falling lame was good enough for selection. He’s a fine player who will intimidate Australia.
England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has also been absent so far this year. I really hope he can recover in time to at least be considered for selection because he’s just fantastic.
In his absence, Tommy Freeman made a real Six Nations impression, scoring in every round as England finished second. Outside centre and not wing is going to be Freeman’s best position long term with England. But for the Lions, I don’t think he gets the better of Jones currently, so could slot in on the wing.
Ireland wing Mack Hansen will surely travel, too. He will no doubt be an outstanding tourist and relish facing his homeland as a Lion.
My team for Australia has a great balance of power and pace. It is made up of five Englishmen, six from Ireland and four Scots.
Unfortunately, there is no Welsh representation. But with their current struggles, I don’t think they demand Test selection. Morgan is the only one and he will undoubtedly tour, but in Curry he faces a truly formidable rival.
Their battle will be one to watch.
Clive Woodward's Lions Test team for Australia: Blair Kinghorn; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Willis, Tom Curry, Caelan Doris (capt).
