Scotland's Blair Kinghorn and England's Ollie Chessum both starred for their nations during Six Nations round four

Lions Watch Week Four: Selection Dilemmas in Locks, Centres, and Back Three

With just one round left in the 2025 Six Nations, British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell faces several crucial selection decisions ahead of the summer tour to Australia. The penultimate round of the Six Nations brought some surprises and developments that have only intensified the competition for spots in the Lions squad. From the performance of locks to the battle in the centres and the hot competition in the back three, Farrell has his work cut out as he narrows down his options. In this article, we’ll explore the key selection dilemmas in these three positions and how the latest performances are shaping the Lions’ choices.

Lions Selection Battle in the Locks

The battle for a place in the Lions squad, especially in the lock positions, has been heating up throughout the Six Nations. Heading into the penultimate round, Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Joe McCarthy, England’s Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum, and others have all been vying for a spot in the starting XV. Each player has put in some notable performances, but the Ireland-France clash and England’s victory over Italy have given Farrell plenty to think about.

Ireland’s Lock Performance

Heading into the France match, Ireland were on track to secure a historic Grand Slam and a third consecutive Six Nations title. Their form in the opening three rounds had been largely impressive, with Tadhg Beirne a standout performer in the engine room. However, a costly yellow card from Joe McCarthy in the match against France impacted Ireland’s chances and saw them lose their grip on the Grand Slam. McCarthy was guilty of ill-discipline, pulling Thomas Ramos in the opening minutes, which led to France’s opening try.

While Beirne remains a solid choice for the Lions, McCarthy’s error-prone display raises questions about his selection. Farrell will need to assess whether McCarthy’s potential outweighs his inconsistencies when compared to other options in the locks.

England’s Lock Performance

Over in England, Maro Itoje continued his fine form in the Six Nations, and his partnership with Ollie Chessum remains one of the most formidable in the competition. Chessum, in particular, impressed with his tireless work rate and versatility. Notably, Chessum was able to perform admirably despite illness in the lead-up to the match against Italy, showcasing his resilience. His ability to play both lock and back row makes him a strong candidate for the Lions squad, with Farrell likely to appreciate this flexibility.

Chessum’s performance against Italy was a player-of-the-match display, with his solid set-piece work, hard carrying, and overall work ethic placing him firmly in contention. Farrell will be keen to consider Chessum’s versatility in the context of the Lions‘ broader team dynamic.

Locks: Farrell’s Decision

In the locks department, Farrell will likely opt for the tried and tested duo of Maro Itoje and Tadhg Beirne, but Ollie Chessum’s versatility and potential could see him force his way into the squad. The competition is tight, but Chessum’s all-round abilities could give him an edge when it comes to selection for the Lions tour to Australia.

Lions Centres: Injury Concerns and Rising Stars

The centre positions for the Lions are another area of concern, especially after England’s Ollie Lawrence suffered an Achilles injury. This injury could rule Lawrence out of both the remainder of the Six Nations and the Lions tour, which is a significant blow for both his club, Bath, and the national team. Lawrence has been a standout player in attack and defence for England, and his potential selection for the Lions appeared to be all but certain before his injury.

England’s Centre Woes

Ollie Lawrence’s injury leaves England in a vulnerable position in the centre, and with Henry Slade’s recent omission from the starting lineup, Farrell faces tough decisions. Slade has been a key figure for England, but Fraser Dingwall’s inclusion in place of Slade against Italy raised some eyebrows. While Dingwall is a capable player, he may not have the same impact as Lawrence, who has been outstanding this year.

The loss of Lawrence opens the door for other centres to stake their claim. Tom Jordan of Scotland has been one of the more impressive performers in the centre, particularly in his team’s victory over Wales. The New Zealand-born 26-year-old’s versatility in the midfield and his solid defensive display make him a strong candidate for the Lions selection.

Ireland’s Centre Performance

Meanwhile, Ireland’s Bundee Aki, who toured South Africa with the Lions in 2021, had a quieter game in Ireland’s loss to France. Aki was replaced in the 55th minute by Jack Crowley, and his lack of impact in the match raises questions about his form ahead of the Lions tour. Aki’s solid performances earlier in the Six Nations had earned him a place in the conversation for the Lions, but his recent dip in form may open the door for other centres to take his spot.

The uncertainty surrounding Sione Tuipulotu’s injury, which has kept him sidelined for Scotland, also adds another layer of complexity to Farrell’s decision-making. Tuipulotu’s return could bring additional depth to the Lions’ centre options, and Farrell will need to weigh his potential against other candidates.

Centres: Farrell’s Options

Farrell faces a dilemma in selecting his centres for the Lions. While Lawrence’s injury is a significant setback, Tom Jordan’s strong performances for Scotland could help him push his case. Additionally, Bundee Aki’s recent form may not be enough to guarantee his spot, while the return of Sione Tuipulotu could offer further competition. With one final round of Six Nations action, the centres will be a key area to watch as Farrell makes his decisions.

Lions Back Three: Intense Competition

The battle for places in the Lions’ back three is as fierce as ever, with competition coming from several exciting players. From the powerful wings of Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman to the explosive full-back Blair Kinghorn, Farrell has no shortage of talented options to consider.

Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe

Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe has been a consistent performer for his national team, but his inability to score against Wales has raised some questions about his impact in the back three. Despite his impressive physicality and strong running, van der Merwe has not always been able to translate his talents into match-winning performances. Farrell will need to assess whether van der Merwe’s overall contribution is enough to secure a spot in the Lions squad.

England’s Tommy Freeman

Tommy Freeman has been one of the form players in the back three, with his four tries in the Six Nations showcasing his finishing ability. Freeman’s performances for Northampton have been outstanding, and his ability to finish from all areas of the field makes him a strong contender for the Lions. Simon Zebo, a former Lions wing, has spoken highly of Freeman’s form and believes he is in with a good chance of making the tour.

Blair Kinghorn and Other Candidates

Scotland’s full-back Blair Kinghorn also put his hand up for Lions selection with two tries in Scotland’s victory over Wales. Kinghorn’s athleticism and power in finishing make him a strong candidate, but concerns over his availability early in the Lions tour, due to the ongoing Top 14 season, could be a potential issue for Farrell.

Back Three: Farrell’s Dilemma

Farrell’s decision in the back three is shaping up to be one of the most competitive areas of selection. Duhan van der Merwe’s raw power and Tommy Freeman’s sharp finishing make them both serious contenders, but Blair Kinghorn’s athleticism adds further depth. With the competition so intense, Farrell will need to consider form, versatility, and availability in making his final decisions.

Conclusion: Lions Selection Dilemmas Ahead of the Tour

With the Six Nations entering its final round, Andy Farrell’s selection headaches are far from over. The competition for spots in the Lions squad is fierce, with key players in the locks, centres, and back three all vying for a place in the starting XV. Maro Itoje, Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, and others will battle it out in the forwards, while centres like Ollie Lawrence, Tom Jordan, and Bundee Aki face off for the key midfield positions. In the back three, Tommy Freeman, Duhan van der Merwe, and Blair Kinghorn will compete for spots on the wings and at full-back.

As the final round of the Six Nations approaches, Farrell will need to make some tough decisions. The Lions’ selection process is never easy, but the players’ performances in the Six Nations have given Farrell plenty to think about. The battle for a place on the Lions tour to Australia is heating up, and it promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Six Nations.