On Tap

British & Irish Lions 2025: Farrell’s Statement Squad and the First Test Against Argentina

Johnny Gilmour

20 Jun 2025 — 4 min read

The British & Irish Lions return to action tonight at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium in a highly anticipated clash against Argentina, marking the start of their 2025 tour. While the Test series against Australia remains the ultimate prize, tonight’s showdown has taken on outsized importance. Head coach Andy Farrell has insisted that this is “no warm-up” — it’s a Test match, in name and nature.

The selection of the match-day 23, drawn from a 38-man squad announced in May, represents the first real blueprint for how Farrell plans to construct a winning Lions side. This analysis takes a deep look at the makeup of that squad, the logic behind the starting XV, and the stakes that lie ahead.

Irish Power, English Leadership: A Modern Lions Mosaic

Of the 38 players selected for this year’s tour, Ireland leads with 15 players — a testament to the country’s dominance in the Six Nations era and consistency at club level with Leinster and Munster. England, though less consistent at international level in recent seasons, still places 13 players in the squad, including the man chosen to lead the Lions: Maro Itoje.

Maro Itoje: Leading from the Core

Itoje’s appointment as captain is significant. Not only does it mark the first Englishman to lead the Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001, but it also underlines the values Farrell prizes: consistency, durability, and the ability to lead under fire. Itoje’s work rate remains elite — 15 turnovers, 300 attacking ruck involvements, and 137 defensive ruck hits in 2024 alone (Opta Sports). He’s not the most vocal player on the field, but his performance metrics and presence make him the kind of anchor this squad needs.

Forwards Breakdown: A Pack Built to Dominate

Front Row: Muscle with Mobility

Ellis Genge (Loosehead Prop) brings dynamic carrying and a fearsome edge to scrums. A leader at Leicester and a cornerstone for England, Genge is also reliable in open play, averaging over 7 carries per game for England in 2024.
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Hooker) adds aggression at the breakdown and a reliable throwing option at lineout time. While injuries have interrupted his trajectory, his 2025 form at Sale Sharks suggests he’s back to his best.
Finlay Bealham (Tighthead Prop) was a late call-up after Zander Fagerson's injury. Bealham brings Irish cohesion to the front row and has quietly become a URC standout for Connacht, with a 94% scrum retention rate.

Second Row: Brains, Brawn, and Balance

Maro Itoje (Captain) is joined by Tadhg Beirne, the versatile Irish lock/flanker who thrives in transitional moments. Beirne is a breakdown menace and set-piece organizer — a player who often leads the stats sheet for turnovers and lineout steals.

Back Row: Breakdown Brutality and Explosiveness

Tom Curry (Blindside Flanker) brings Test pedigree, earning his third straight Lions tour. Despite injury layoffs, he remains one of the most complete flankers in the game.
Jac Morgan (Openside Flanker) has quietly become Wales' most consistent performer. He’s a relentless tackler with leadership experience and high work rate — averaging 18 tackles per match in 2024.
Ben Earl (No. 8) rounds out the trio with explosive athleticism. Arguably England’s most effective carrier in the past 12 months, Earl adds tempo and chaos in broken play.

Together, this forward unit is built not just to survive, but to dominate — particularly at the set piece and breakdown.

Backline Analysis: Structure, Flair, and Tactical Variability

Halfbacks: Smith and Mitchell — the New Axis

Fin Smith (Fly-half) has been the breakout star of 2025. At just 22, he orchestrated Northampton’s charge to the Premiership final and topped the Six Nations fly-half charts in points (57) and try assists (5). He plays flat to the line and excels at scanning defensive shapes.
Alex Mitchell (Scrum-half) offers tempo and quick delivery. He plays alongside Smith at club level, and this cohesion may be Farrell’s most important experiment in game management tonight.

Centres: Aki and Tuipulotu — Power and Precision

Bundee Aki (Inside Centre) is a veteran of the 2021 Lions tour and one of the Six Nations’ top carriers (71 metres per game). He brings physicality and crash ball dominance.
Sione Tuipulotu (Outside Centre) is returning from a pectoral injury but has been Scotland’s most creative midfield playmaker. His distribution and footwork make him a perfect foil for Aki’s directness.

This combination may be the most well-rounded pairing available — one hard runner, one distributor, both defensively sound.

Back Three: Firepower and Flair

Duhan van der Merwe (Left Wing) scored 7 tries in the 2021 Lions tour and remains almost unmarkable one-on-one. His combination of size and acceleration makes him a match-winner.
Tommy Freeman (Right Wing) offers aerial superiority and finishing precision, with a try in each of his last three England starts.
Marcus Smith (Fullback) is the biggest wildcard. Traditionally a 10, Farrell has chosen to deploy Smith at 15 — a position where his attacking flair, counter-running, and tactical kicking can shine. This also allows Fin Smith to start at fly-half without pushing Marcus out of the squad.

Matchday 23 – Official Lions Team vs Argentina

Starting XV:

Ellis Genge
Luke Cowan-Dickie
Finlay Bealham
Maro Itoje (c)
Tadhg Beirne
Tom Curry
Jac Morgan
Ben Earl
Alex Mitchell
Fin Smith
Duhan van der Merwe
Bundee Aki
Sione Tuipulotu
Tommy Freeman
Marcus Smith

Replacements:

Rónan Kelleher
Pierre Schoeman
Tadhg Furlong
Scott Cummings
Henry Pollock
Tomos Williams
Elliot Daly
Mack Hansen

Argentina’s Challenge and the Lions’ Mission

The Pumas have named a bold side, featuring 11 uncapped players but anchored by Test veterans like Julian Montoya and Juan Martín González. Expect a physically confrontational first 20 minutes — Argentina rarely shy from collisions. This match may turn into a litmus test of Lions composure under unrelenting pressure.

But this match also plays into broader Lions history. According to The Times, only around five players from the opening fixture in previous tours go on to start the first Test. Still, standout performances tonight can force Farrell’s hand.

Final Thoughts: A Defining Start to the Tour

Tonight’s clash is more than a selection trial. It’s about setting standards, building trust between new combinations, and proving that the Lions can merge four nations into one cohesive, ruthless unit.

With leadership from Itoje, Irish structure in the forward pack, and youthful fire in the backs, the British & Irish Lions appear to be turning the page. Whether this story ends in Brisbane with a Test series victory will depend, in no small part, on what happens in Dublin tonight.