THE British and Irish Lions head down under for their summer tour of Australia in 2025.
Irish head coach Andy Farrell will take charge of the side for the first time, after Ireland enjoyed roaring success with back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2023 and 2024.
GettyOwen Farrell moved to Racing 92 from Saracens in the summer of 2024, making him ineligible for England[/caption]
SportsfileJohnny Sexton (left) will be assistant coach, and has seen Farrell (right) live on the pitch[/caption]
PAFinn Russell is likely to start at fly-half, with two others expected to go with him[/caption]
Fin Smith (left) came out on top against Sam Prendergast (right) in the fly-half battle between Northampton Saints and Leinster in the Champions CupSportsfile
GettyOne or both of George Ford (left) and Marcus Smith (right) look set to miss out on the tour[/caption]
Alongside young flanker Henry Pollock, the fly-half position has been the talk of the town ahead of Andy Farrell’s selection in 2025.
Finn Russell seems the only nailed on player in the fly-half position, with the rest seemingly a free-for-all.
England’s current fly-half Fin Smith has enjoyed a meteoric rise since the Six Nations, with namesake Marcus Smith Lions stock taking a hit, and veteran George Ford missing from the first five England games.
Farrell’s Irish project has seen Sam Prendergast emerge alongside Fin Smith as a real option, with Munster man Jack Crowley barely getting a sniff in the Six Nations, basically ending his chances.
Andy Farrell’s son Owen Farrell had been one of the first names in the English XV whilst at Saracens, but a rule in selection means he is unable to play for England since his switch overseas.
SunSport can reveal if the same will apply as Owen Farrell looks for a spot on the British and Irish Lions tour this summer.
Can Owen Farrell be selected for the British and Irish Lions?
Yes, Owen Farrell is eligible for selection by the British and Irish Lions this summer.
Unlike the English national side, there is no restrictions on where players must play club rugby to be selected.
This means a number of players come into selection where they were not for the Six Nations, with Courtney Lawes and Jack Willis also currently playing in France.
Farrell plays for Racing 92, while Jack Willis plays for defending European champions Toulouse, and Lawes plays in the Pro D2 for Brive.
Courtney Lawes has not featured for England since he left Northampton Saints last summerSportsfile
GettyJack Willis has gained a reputation as one of Europe’s best flankers with Toulouse, but does not qualify to play for England overseas[/caption]
When does the British and Irish Lions squad announcement start?
The squad announcement is set to start at 1:30pm BST in the UK.
Chair Ieuan Evans, a three-time Lion, will read out the picks.
Announcements will be made LIVE from the O2 Arena in London.
How to watch the British and Irish Lions squad announcement and is there a live stream?
The British and Irish Lions squad announcement will be shown LIVE from the O2 Arena in London.
The announcement will be maid LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Mix.
Andy Farrell’s squad will also be revealed on the Sky Sports app.
Action will be live from 1:30pm BST.
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