**A New-Look Lions Set to Emerge as Andy Farrell’s Strategy Takes Shape in Australia**
As the British and Irish Lions set foot on Australian soil this week, anticipation is mounting about head coach Andy Farrell’s distinctly new approach for the 2025 tour Down Under. The warm-up fixture against Argentina, which resulted in a narrow 28-24 loss, has already offered valuable insights into how Farrell’s squad intend to challenge their hosts. While the result was not in their favour, the attacking intent and willingness to hold onto the ball marked a clear departure from the style of previous tours.
Under former coach Warren Gatland, the Lions often relied on a more conservative, structured gameplan. In contrast, Farrell appears committed to a possession-heavy brand of rugby. By favouring multi-phase play, carrying options off tightly-packed pods, and encouraging his back-row forwards to spread wide and support attacks along the flanks, the head coach is sticking closely to methods that proved so successful with Ireland.
Crucially, Farrell’s player selections are beginning to reflect his preferred template. The squad boasts a significant Irish influence—unsurprising given the success of Farrell’s Ireland in recent years—but the question remains: which representatives from England, Scotland and Wales can adapt best to this evolving system? The answer may unfold in the opening Australian fixtures, particularly as key members of the Leinster contingent—whose availability was previously in doubt—are likely to feature.
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and full-back Garry Ringrose were both carrying injuries on arrival in Perth, casting some uncertainty over Farrell’s first Lions XV of the tour. However, both players are being carefully assessed in the build-up to the weekend clash against Western Force. If they’re not deemed fit, alternatives from within the squad, including those who recently starred in domestic club finals for Bath and Leicester Tigers, will be called upon to step in.
A sizeable number of forwards did not take part in the warm-up match in Dublin last Friday due to domestic commitments. Farrell must now weigh the risks of throwing these players straight into the starting line-up versus easing them in from the substitutes’ bench. Dutching in an entirely fresh front-five, potentially featuring Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Joe McCarthy, and Ollie Chessum, seems possible. Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan are tipped to feature in the back row, potentially adding more punch and impetus after the Lions were at times outmuscled by Argentina.
Fly-half Finn Russell, whose reputation as a creative playmaker continues to grow, is widely expected to play a central role in Farrell’s set-up. His ability to exploit the wider channels and marshal runners off the pod system makes him the ideal candidate to pull the strings. Meanwhile, Wales’ Tomos Williams, an unused substitute against Argentina, remains in contention to partner Russell at half-back, especially should Gibson-Park not recover in time.
A notable aspect of the opening selection could be Farrell’s midfield configuration. Against Argentina, he fielded two natural inside centres—Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu—a bold move that points towards greater adaptability. This time, a likely scenario would see Tuipulotu return to his preferred inside centre role, possibly linking up with Scottish compatriot Huw Jones, whose ability for incisive running lines may be highly valued.
The back three could feature a strong Irish presence, with James Lowe and Mack Hansen candidates for the wing positions. Whether Hugo Keenan or Elliot Daly fills the role of full-back may depend on fitness tests and tactical priorities. If Keenan is sidelined and Farrell is reluctant to move Marcus Smith away from his fly-half duties, Daly’s versatility positions him as a logical choice for the number 15 shirt.
From the bench, Farrell has options to provide further impact—Ellis Genge and Tadhg Furlong among them—while players like Jac Morgan and Marcus Smith might cover a range of positions. As the tour progresses, these high-stakes selection dilemmas are set to become central talking points.
The Lions’ transformation under Andy Farrell is about more than just a change in personnel; it is a shift in rugby philosophy. As Australia awaits, all eyes will be on how this fresh approach fares in a tour which promises to test both the newcomers and seasoned campaigners alike.