Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Lions team: Russell fly-half, Itoje captain & Murray at 15?

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Monday, 17 March 2025 23:27

Former Scotland captain Barclay has selected a team including five Englishmen, five Scotsmen, four Irishmen and one Welshman.

In total, he has made seven alterations from the side he picked after round one.

England's dominance in the set-piece has resulted in props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart replacing Ireland's Andrew Porter and Scotland's Zander Fagerson, the latter missing out despite making the fourth-highest number of carries (57) in the tournament.

"The main change is Stuart and Genge," said Barclay.

"[England produced] The best scrummaging performance throughout the championship. Stuart has such a low penalty count and gets through so much good work, and it's the same for Genge - the nuts and bolts of his game are superb."

The engine room in the second row remains the same, with Barclay suggesting England captain Maro Itoje is a Lions skipper in waiting.

In the back row, Barclay has named Jac Morgan in his side despite Wales' run of 17 consecutive defeats and a second Wooden Spoon in as many years.

Morgan made a tournament high 88 tackles, while only Itoje arrived at more rucks on both sides of the ball.

The Welshman replaces Scotland's Rory Darge, who made more cleanouts than any other player (45) but Barclay says Morgan could reach greater heights in the Lions set-up.

"I had Rory Darge in the back row but I think he has fallen off slightly. Jac Morgan has played in a Wales side that is struggling, but he has stood out. Imagine him with the quality of [Lions] players and that coaching structure around him."

In the backs, Barclay selected five Scotsmen, including Finn Russell at fly-half.

Centre Sione Tuipulotu was ruled out of the tournament with a pectoral injury but Barclay has opted for his countryman, who is expected to return before the end of the season, while England's Ollie Lawrence has dropped out of contention after suffering an unfortunate Achilles rupture.

Barclay has picked Tuipulotu at inside centre, outside Russell and inside Huw Jones in an all-Scottish midfield, with Blair Kinghorn selected at full-back and Duhan van der Merwe on the wing.

Read 21 times

Soccer

Ex-player attends game after false death tributes

Ex-player attends game after false death tributes

EmailPrintBulgarian side Arda Kardzhali invited club great Petko Ganchev and feted him at their firs...

Antony: Betis loan move 'best decision I've made'

Antony: Betis loan move 'best decision I've made'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWhen Antony was packed off on loan from Manchester United to Real B...

USMNT's Adams: Pro-rel would improve MLS

USMNT's Adams: Pro-rel would improve MLS

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsU.S. men's national team midfielder Tyler Adams has voiced his supp...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Oklahoma freshman Fears entering NBA draft

Oklahoma freshman Fears entering NBA draft

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOklahoma freshman guard Jeremiah Fears will enter the 2025 NBA draf...

A-Rod, Lore to own Timberwolves after standoff

A-Rod, Lore to own Timberwolves after standoff

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGlen Taylor has agreed to the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez group acquir...

Baseball

Dodgers get speedy Ruiz in trade with Athletics

Dodgers get speedy Ruiz in trade with Athletics

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Los Angeles Dodgers acquired speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz fro...

Red Sox, rookie Campbell reach 8-year extension

Red Sox, rookie Campbell reach 8-year extension

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRookie second baseman Kristian Campbell and the Boston Red Sox agre...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated