**British & Irish Lions Draft Three Scots to Bolster Squad, Welsh Contingent Remains at One**
The British and Irish Lions have announced the overnight addition of three Scottish internationals to their touring squad, bringing the total number of players on tour to 44. Scotland’s Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman, and Darcy Graham have each been summoned as reinforcements ahead of the much-anticipated fixture against the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne next Tuesday. This news comes as a mixed development for Welsh rugby supporters, as no further Welsh names have made the expanded squad, leaving Jac Morgan as the sole representative.
The freshly selected trio is currently with the Scottish national side in New Zealand, gearing up for a summer Test against Samoa that follows a defeat to Fiji over the weekend. Winger Darcy Graham, notable for his impressive haul of 31 tries across 47 Scotland caps, will join the Lions without delay, despite having been sent off in his last match against Fiji. Prop Rory Sutherland and hooker Ewan Ashman are set to arrive in Australia by Sunday.
The selection of Graham is particularly noteworthy, given his influential international track record and widespread belief that he was unfortunate to have been omitted from the original touring squad. His arrival will add firepower to the Lions’ attacking arsenal as they prepare for a challenging leg of their tour.
Rory Sutherland, who previously featured in the South Africa tour four years ago and earned two Test caps, brings vital experience to a forward pack that will face severe scrutiny from First Nations & Pasifika XV and the Wallabies. Ewan Ashman, representing Edinburgh, will join England’s Jamie George in providing crucial depth in the hooker position, an area frequently tested amidst the physical demands of a lengthy tour.
With these call-ups, the Lions squad—initially named as 38-strong by head coach Andy Farrell—has swelled substantially. Of particular note is the continued absence of further Welsh call-ups. Early speculation had placed the likes of Dewi Lake and Nicky Smith in contention for selection, yet neither has been drafted, a decision likely to disappoint Welsh fans that have seen their country’s influence on the squad dwindle this year.
This flurry of selection activity follows hot on the heels of another recent squad addition, Leinster prop Tom Clarkson. At just 25, Clarkson has been brought in to provide “additional front row cover” as the Lions gear up for a trio of Tests against Australia. Team management insists this move is precautionary rather than a reaction to an existing injury within their stock of tighthead props, with Tadhg Furlong, Will Stewart, and Finlay Bealham already vying for the number three shirt.
For context, Clarkson’s call-up brings the number of Leinster players in the touring party to 14, matching the English representation in Farrell’s squad. In total, Irish players now make up 18 of the 44-strong group, highlighting the deep bench of talent Irish rugby currently enjoys, a point sure to invite discussion among supporters from the home nations.
The remainder of the Lions tour promises to be no less demanding, featuring three pivotal Test matches against Australia, as well as next week’s encounter with the First Nations & Pasifika XV. For the newly called-up Scots, this presents not only an opportunity to make an immediate impression, but also to stake a claim for Test selection during the run-in to the Wallaby clashes.
As the tour progresses, many rugby fans will be watching closely for potential injury developments, as well as for any shifts in the selection strategy that might finally open the door to more Welsh involvement. For now, though, the Lions’ latest manoeuvres signal a shift towards Scottish and Irish influence, with only a single Welsh voice left in the squad’s huddle as preparations intensify Down Under.
This ongoing evolution of the touring party throws into stark relief the unpredictable and demanding nature of Lions rugby, where adaptability and form can swiftly disrupt even the most carefully laid initial plans. How these new faces will gel with the established squad—and whether any remaining Welsh hopefuls might yet get their chance—remains one of the fascinating subplots of this storied tour.