**Sir Clive Woodward Unveils His British & Irish Lions Squad With Just Two Welsh Players Included**
Sir Clive Woodward, one of the most respected figures in British rugby, has offered his personal take on what the British & Irish Lions squad could look like for the upcoming tour. Surprisingly, only two Welsh internationals feature in his selection, a stark reflection of the current challenging state of Welsh rugby. With anticipation building for the official squad announcement by head coach Andy Farrell on May 8th, Woodward’s choices have inevitably sparked debate across the rugby world.
The British & Irish Lions, a composite team drawing from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, remains one of the sport’s most cherished and historic traditions. Every four years, the selection of the squad is scrutinised as players and fans alike hope to see their favourites represent the Lions. However, as Wales have recently endured a difficult spell—including a disappointing Six Nations campaign culminating in another Wooden Spoon—expectations for extensive Welsh involvement have been tempered.
Woodward, who famously led England to World Cup glory in 2003 before taking charge of the Lions’ 2005 tour, is closely attuned to the unique demands of constructing a squad capable of competing on the global stage. In his latest column for the Daily Mail, he revealed that only Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams have made his preferred roster from Wales. Despite their inclusion, Woodward candidly admitted he does not see either man breaking into the likely starting XV.
Jac Morgan’s inclusion, according to Woodward, owes much to his adaptability across the back row, with the former England coach lauding the value of positional flexibility on a long, gruelling tour. Yet, in Woodward’s eyes, the likely starting back row is set to comprise England’s Jack Willis, Ireland’s Caelan Doris, and his fellow countryman Tom Curry. He describes Willis as “the best player in Europe right now,” lamenting the flanker’s ineligibility to represent England under current selection rules due to his club career in France.
On the subject of scrum-halves, Tomos Williams earns a place in the squad after impressing at Gloucester in the English Premiership. However, Woodward ranks the Welshman as third choice behind Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park—named as a “certain starter”—and England’s Alex Mitchell, whose influence at both club and international level is described as “undisputed”. While acknowledging Williams’s strong form, Woodward notes, “Sadly, that reflects [Wales’] demise as a nation,” underlining the wider struggles currently engulfing Welsh rugby.
Woodward took care to highlight the importance of versatility, noting both Curry and Morgan’s capacity to feature on either flank. “Versatility is a priceless commodity on a Lions tour,” he writes, signalling the ever-increasing need for players who can adapt to the unpredictable rigours of international series.
Conspicuous by his absence is Henry Pollock, the young England flanker whose recent performances have drawn significant attention. Woodward feels the tour has come “a little early” for the rising star, suggesting he could instead gain invaluable experience on England’s trip to Argentina and the USA, potentially earning a late call-up to the Lions should injuries arise mid-series.
That the Lions selection features such a skew toward English and Irish players is not entirely unexpected. Welsh rugby, after all, is going through a rebuilding phase, and its most accomplished internationals have struggled to make their mark in recent major tournaments. While there is disappointment in Wales over the lack of representation, Woodward’s choices point to the intense competition for places and the razor-thin margins that define selection at the highest level.
As the rugby community awaits Andy Farrell’s final call, Woodward’s preview provides a revealing insight into the mindset of selectors and the evolving balance of power within the British Isles’ rugby landscape. For Welsh players, the next few months present a chance to prove their worth and stake a stronger claim for the coveted red jersey in future tours. For fans, the debate is only just beginning.