**British & Irish Lions: Who’s Poised for a Call-Up Amidst Squad Uncertainties**
The newly announced British & Irish Lions squad is already generating excitement across the rugby landscape, as Head Coach Andy Farrell sets his sights on a successful summer campaign in Australia. While the 38-man squad unveiled at the O2 Arena last week featured few unexpected names, the Lions management has already signalled that the journey is far from complete – with additional players poised to be drafted in before the team jets off Down Under.
Farrell’s selection process was inevitably influenced by injuries and the congested fixture list. England’s Maro Itoje is set to lead as skipper after Irish powerhouse Caelan Doris was ruled out due to shoulder surgery. Young talent Henry Pollock, just 20, emerges as a notable inclusion, intensifying anticipation around the fresh faces in the squad. Yet with several crucial domestic competitions reaching their climax in the coming weeks, Lions selectors have confirmed that “further call-ups are definitely going to happen.”
A significant factor prompting reinforcement is the prospect of up to 22 selected Lions featuring in either the United Rugby Championship or Gallagher Premiership finals, which take place just six days before the Lions’ opening fixture – a mouth-watering clash with Argentina on 20 June in Dublin. This scheduling clash means a large contingent will join the training camp late, missing out on valuable preparation in Portugal the week before. Such circumstances have made a standby list essential, ensuring the Lions have sufficient cover for both training and matchday obligations.
This scenario harks back to previous tours when late additions became headline news. However, unlike the infamous ‘Geography Six’ of 2017 – a contingent brought in for logistical reasons rather than form – Farrell’s intended reinforcements will be expected to make meaningful contributions, especially against Los Pumas in that high-profile opener.
Among the names linked with a potential call-up is Wales’ Dewi Lake. The dynamic hooker has impressed with his ability to lead from the front, even when his national side has struggled. Lake faces competition from former England captain Jamie George, widely seen as unfortunate to have missed original selection and being an experienced option for midweek captaincy should the need arise.
Another prominent possibility is the inclusion of veteran Owen Farrell, whose club duties with Racing 92 conclude before the other domestic finals. Farrell senior has not ruled out bringing his son along for a fourth Lions experience, providing valuable cover for starting fly-half Finn Russell. The versatile Englishman’s vast experience could prove invaluable in both training and competitive contexts.
The ranks of eligible backs could also swell, with England’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Scotland’s Darcy Graham both in the mix. While Feyi-Waboso has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since December, Graham’s omission surprised many given his consistent performances for Scotland and Edinburgh – his return from injury making him a prime candidate for late inclusion.
Further possible reinforcements include Ireland’s Finlay Bealham, who narrowly lost out on selection to Tadhg Furlong, and England’s Jack Willis, regarded as one of Europe’s leading openside flankers. Scotland’s Ben White could provide scrum-half cover, particularly if injury doubts crop up, while Irish fly-half Sam Prendergast may also come under consideration despite questions around form and readiness.
There are also whispers of an additional Welsh presence, with Scarlets full-back Blair Murray boosting his claim with a recent two-try performance. Although the Lions already boast significant quality in the back three, Murray’s electric footwork and game-changing ability make him a tempting option.
Elsewhere, Taulupe Faletau, Dafydd Jenkins, and Nicky Smith are among the other Welsh hopefuls waiting on standby, with the likes of Ben Curry, Robbie Henshaw, George Ford, and Jack Crowley likewise still in contention across the home nations.
As the countdown to their Australian adventure gathers pace, the Lions’ evolving squad remains a hotbed of intrigue. Injuries, late domestic drama, and a need for tactical reinforcements mean the initial 38 names are unlikely to be the final tally. Rugby fans across Britain and Ireland will be watching closely to see which new faces seize the Lions opportunity at the eleventh hour, as Andy Farrell readies his contingent for one of sport’s most storied challenges.