Second Row and Back Row


Next up I will look at the second rows, and back rows. These are crucial positions in the team, bringing the engine in the set piece and the workhorses in open play.  I will continue to use the structure from the 2021 Lions’ Tour. Therefore, I will name 6 Second Rows and 6 Back rows.

 

Second Row

The first second row is Tadhg Beirne. The Munster lock stands at 6ft 6, weighing 113kg. Beirne is the current captain of Munster and has made 51 appearances for the Irish national team. Beirne was previously named in the 2021 Lions squad, and made 6 appearances across the tour, scoring two tries.

Beirne's regular second-row partner for Ireland, James Ryan, will also be on the plane to Australia. Ryan is a regular feature for club side Leinster, where he is co-club captain. To date, Ryan has made 64 caps for Ireland, scoring 5 tries. I believe Ryan will be one of our starting locks for the tour of Australia.



The next player I believe will partner James Ryan in the second row. Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins will be on the plane, and in the starting pack. Despite only being 21, Jenkins has a wealth of experience, having 48 appearances for Exeter, and 19 caps for Wales.

England and Saracens lock Maro Itoje should also be called up. Itoje has been called up for two Lions tours previously- 2017 and 2021, where he was a stand-out player in both. Itoji has also been nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year three times.



Scottish lock Scott Cummings should be set to make his Lions tour debut. Cummings was integral in Glasgow Warriors URC win in 2024 and has cemented his starting place in the Scotland pack.

Cummings's fellow countryman Jonny Gray should also be set to make his Lions debut. Gray currently plays for Bordeaux and has 77 appearances for Scotland.

Back Row

My first pick for the back row is Caelan Doris. Doris brings a big physical presence that can cover both number 8 and flanker. The Irishman has made 43 appearances for his country and has been crucial to his club side Leinster’s recent success. Doris will be my starting number blind-side for the Lions.

Doris’ club and country teammate Josh Van der Flier will also be picked by myself. Despite his lower height compared to his peers in his position, VDF makes it up with his space, rugby knowledge, and lower sense of gravity. VDF has been recognised for his performances by winning the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in 2022. VDF will start at the open-side in my Lions team.




Welsh captain Jac Morgan will also be on my plane to Australia. Morgan can cover both the open and blind-side. Despite only having made 16 appearances for Wales, Morgan has amassed 6 tries.

My starting number 8 will be English and Saracens player Ben Earl. Earl can cover all across the back row. Earl has been in a rich vein of form for both club and country in recent years, rewarding him with many appearances, and I believe he will be further rewarded with a Lions call-up.

Mainstays in the Scotland squad, Rory Darge and Jack Dempsey will also be on my plane to Australia. Both players can cover all across the back row and have been crucial players for Glasgow in their recent URC victory. Darge has been rewarded by being announced as Scotland's co-captain, while Dempsey is a recent residency switch, changing from Australia, and will be hoping to get on the tour to play his former side. 



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