4. Ben White (Scotland) – Scrum-half, Toulon, age 26
After impressing in the Premiership with London Irish, Ben White moved to Toulon, where he has continued his steady development as a top-tier scrum-half.
A regular starter under Gregor Townsend, White has collected over 20 caps and was a standout for Scotland in both the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Six Nations.
At 26, he offers a strong blend of youth and experience, with excellent decision-making and a tactical kicking game. With Lions squads typically taking three scrum-halves, his exclusion raised questions.
5. Taulupe Faletau (Wales) – No. 8, Cardiff, age 34
A three-time British & Irish Lion (2013, 2017, 2021) and one of Wales’ greatest forwards, Faletau returned from injury just in time to push for selection.
With over 100 Test caps and a reputation for consistent world-class performances, the 34-year-old No. 8 remains an elite all-rounder—strong in contact, secure under the high ball, and tactically aware.
His omission suggests the selectors opted to favour youth and form, but few players have delivered on the Lions stage like Faletau.
British and Irish Lions 2025 Tour Schedule
Warm-Up Matches
- June 20: vs Argentina – Dublin
- June 28: vs Western Force – Perth
- July 2: vs Queensland Reds – Brisbane
- July 5: vs Waratahs – Sydney
- July 9: vs Brumbies – Canberra
- July 12: vs Invitational Australia & New Zealand XV – Adelaide
- July 22: vs First Nations & Pasifika XV – Melbourne
Test Series vs Australia
- July 19: 1st Test – Brisbane
- July 26: 2nd Test – Melbourne
- August 2: 3rd Test – Sydney
EDITORS PICKS:
TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?
We’ve got a belter of a quiz in store, as we challenge you to name EVERY British & Irish Lions tour captain of the past 50 years. We start off our quiz back on the 1974 tour of South Africa, and bring it all the way up to the Lions’ latest tour to the land of the Springboks in 2021.
To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts… Now!
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