British and Irish Lions Rankings: Predicted XV based on Six Nations stats | Rugby Union News
Who’s leading the charge for British and Irish Lions selection? Sky Sports ranks every player in contention after round one of the 2025 Six Nations…
Scotland centre Huw Jones surged to the top of the standings after his hat-trick of tries extinguished Italy’s second-half fightback at Murrayfield.
His captain and team-mate Rory Darge made it a Scotland one-two at the summit of the rankings.
The flanker ranked second for the most attacking and defensive ruck hits (45) – behind only England captain Maro Itoje (46) – in addition to scoring his team’s first try in a superb all-round performance.
Of the 12 successful jackal turnovers in round one of the 2025 Six Nations, a quarter of them were made by Tom Curry.
On the day he and his brother Ben made history by becoming the first twins to start a Test for England, the try-scoring flanker emerged as the best performer for Steve Borthwick on a testing afternoon in Dublin.
England’s Tom Curry produced three times as many turnovers as any other player during round one of the 2025 Six Nations
Tadhg Beirne emerged as England’s chief tormentor, leading a host of imperious Ireland performances as the back-to-back Six Nations champions began their quest or a third successive title with a 27-22 victory.
Dan Sheehan produced the most explosive performance from a British and Irish Lion hopeful.
The Leinster hooker was on the field a mere 30 minutes but left an indelible mark with a try, two line breaks and seven ruck hits, as his bulldozing display swung momentum firmly back in Ireland’s favour.
Dan Sheehan delivered an explosive performance from the bench as Ireland overpowered England in Dublin
Harlequins wing Cadan Murley‘s England debut wasn’t without its challenges, but he gave a glimpse of the talent he possesses with a try, a try assist, and three line breaks – the joint-most in Six Nations round one – in Dublin.
After their 43-0 drubbing at the hands of France, there is no room for any Wales player in the team of the week, though scrum-half Tomos Williams and captain Jac Morgan featured in the top 20.
Lions rankings XV of the week
Backs: 15 Blair Kinghorn (Scotland), 14 Tommy Freeman (England), 13 Huw Jones (Scotland), 12 Bundee Aki (Ireland), 11 Cadan Murley (England), 10 Finn Russell (Scotland), 9 Jamieson Gibson-Park (Ireland).
Forwards: 1 Andrew Porter (Ireland), 2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland), 3 Zander Fagerson (Scotland), 4 Jonny Gray (Scotland), 5 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 6 Tom Curry (England), 7 Rory Darge (Scotland), 8 Caelan Doris (Ireland).
British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports
Watch the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia live on Sky Sports in 2025
Sky Sports will exclusively show the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up matches to be shown exclusively live.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Stream the EFL, Test cricket and more top sport with NOW.
