{"id":48478,"date":"2025-05-06T11:03:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T11:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=48478"},"modified":"2025-05-06T11:03:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T11:03:05","slug":"when-is-the-lions-squad-announced-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/when-is-the-lions-squad-announced-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"When Is The Lions Squad Announced? Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of Massive Week For Rugby"},"content":{"rendered":"

The most-anticipated week in the British and Irish rugby season is upon us – but when is the Lions squad getting announced?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Four years in the making, this week the British and Irish Lions<\/strong><\/a> squad will finally be announced for this summer’s tour to Australia<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Head coach Andy Farrell<\/strong> and his team will head down under to take on the Wallabies<\/strong> in a three-test series, following a number of warm-up matches against provincial teams.<\/p>\n

The best players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales have been putting themselves in the shop window all season in order to try and earn a call-up.<\/p>\n

There is no greater honour for a Home Nations rugby player.<\/p>\n

Speculation over who will or won’t be going has never been higher, but as we enter the all-important squad announcement week – when exactly will the Lions squad be announced?<\/p>\n

When Is The Lions Squad Announced?<\/h2>\n

This year’s British and Irish Lions squad announcement will take place on Thursday, 8 May at a live event in London.<\/p>\n

With Ireland head coach Farrell at the helm, the expectation is that Irish players will feature heavily.<\/p>\n

After an impressive Six Nations<\/strong><\/a> – where they finished a close second to winners France – England are also likely to be well-represented, as are Scotland.<\/p>\n

But having lost all five of their games, there is a possibility that only a handful of Welsh players will go on tour, if any.<\/p>\n

\"Wales
Wales may not have a single representative on this year’s Lions tour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There has been no confirmation of the exact size of the initial squad to be announced, but the previous tour to South Africa in 2021 saw 37 players named.<\/p>\n

The Lions squad announcement will begin from 14:00 BST in front of a live audience at London’s O2 Arena.<\/p>\n

Former Wales winger and current Lions chairman Ieuan Evans will announce the squad.<\/p>\n

Who Will Captain The Lions?<\/h2>\n

The Lions captaincy is always another hot topic of debate. This year, there have been several main candidates suggested.<\/p>\n

Ireland skipper Caelan Doris was thought to be the front-runner, having worked with head coach Farrell for a number of years.<\/p>\n

But a shoulder injury picked up in club Leinster’s European Champions Cup semi-final<\/strong><\/a> defeat at the weekend means he is now a major doubt for the tour.<\/p>\n

\"Maro
England captain Maro Itoje is now the favourite to lead the Lions in Australia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a result, many expect England captain Maro Itoje<\/strong> to now be named tour captain for the Lions.<\/p>\n

Another name suggested by some is that of Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan, who is expected to be a test-match starter.<\/p>\n

British & Irish Lions Fixtures 2025<\/h2>\n