Andy Farrell has vowed to spread his net across The Channel when assembling his British and Irish Lions squad. Ahead of the announcement on May 8, tantalisingly falling in the week after the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, here is a run-down of potential tourists currently plying their trade in France.
Ben White
Scotland’s front-line scrum-half is behind the supreme Baptiste Serin at Toulon, which is no disgrace whatsoever. He did start the last-eight Champions Cup tie against Saracens, which saw the Premiership side storm into a 35-13 lead. Toulon had begun to turn the tide, with White directing big carriers, before Serin arrived. Alongside Marius Domon, White was one of two replacements left unused by Pierre Mignoni in the quarter-final loss to Toulouse.
White would be an unfussy foil for Finn Russell, but could offer more to the Lions than merely that familiarity. He is an opportunistic support runner sharp enough to bag tries in each of the first three games of the recent Six Nations. Accepted wisdom suggests that two of Alex Mitchell, Tomos Williams and White will tour as Jamison Gibson-Park’s back-up. George Horne and Jamie Dobie, the latter capable of covering wing, are a pair of alternatives from Glasgow Warriors.
Form rating: 7/10
Blair Kinghorn
Wet weather at Stade Mayol on Sunday restricted both teams and compromised the influence of outside backs particularly. Kinghorn finished with seven carries for a meagre 25 metres, having accumulated 105 metres from 13 carries the previous weekend against Sale Sharks. A strapping and well-balanced runner, the 28-year-old beat five defenders that day. This try was disallowed, yet illustrates how Kinghorn has slotted into – and even enhanced – the characteristic attacking flow of Toulouse:
In the quarter-final, he still produced eye-catching contributions such as a brave one-on-one tackle in open space as Toulon flanker Esteban Adabie tore down his channel. He also scrapped on the floor to earn a turnover in the 64th minute. Kinghorn is proving to be a fine signing for Toulouse, having joined Ugo Mola’s squad from Edinburgh in December 2023. As much as scheduling is difficult, because he will be part of the Top 14 play-offs, versatility will count in his favour. Kinghorn has started several Test matches at fly-half and regularly flits between wing and full-back.
Form rating: 9/10
Courtney Lawes
Lawes walks the walk and talks the talk, so a recent appearance on Dan Biggar’s podcast, A Load of BS on Sport, signalled his stomach for another Lions adventure. With typically forthright conviction, the 36-year-old backed himself to crack the Test side if he were to travel to Australia. Lest we forget that Lawes was excellent in 2017 against the All Blacks as an impact replacement in the last two Tests and then started all three encounters with the Springboks in 2021, despite a regular season that had been decimated by injuries.
He made just five appearances for Northampton Saints across the 2020-21 campaign. Already this term for Brive, Lawes has amassed 18. Interestingly, he began back at lock, a position many thought he had left behind, before returning to the back row. He has captained the team, too, and a 19-13 victory in Agen last Thursday has consolidated Brive’s standing in second place, just five points shy of Grenoble, the Pro D2 leaders.
Lawes has been prolific with line-out steals and jackals. Brive colleagues and coaches are struck by his humility and commitment. From a logistical standpoint, whatever happens in his side’s promotion campaign, Lawes will be finished with club fixtures earlier than players in the Top 14, which is a bonus.
Form rating: 8/10
David Ribbans
From one former Saint to another, Ribbans was outstanding in Sunday’s sopping quarter-final slugfest on the French Riviera. One week after a 15-tackle shift against Saracens, he completed 15 more in a heart-breaking loss to Toulouse. The burly run that brought about Toulon’s second penalty represented a snapshot of what Ribbans offers and how he has grown to be adored by supporters at Stade Mayol:
Joe McCarthy, among the most prominent performers in Leinster’s brutal dismantling of Glasgow on Friday evening, is probably the nearest equivalent from the Six Nations teams as far as athletic profile. Robust locks that cover plenty of ground and whack things – rucks, carriers, scrums and mauls – are essential. Ribbans could have done little more to convince the Lions of his worth because his form has been exemplary. With Toulon poised to progress into the Top 14 play-offs and now free to concentrate on the domestic front, however, a call-up could be complicated.
Form rating: 9/10
Jack Willis
Immense in the victory over Sale, Willis was marshalled carefully around the breakdown at the weekend – both by opponents and officials. Matthew Carley penalised him twice in quick succession in the second quarter, bringing about six points for Toulon thanks to a pair of fine strikes from Melvyn Jaminet. It speaks volumes for Willis’ character and how his game has expanded at Toulouse that he was still able to produce a defining moment. His close-range finish just after half-time showcased the carrying power and opportunistic support play that has flourished in France:
After a cagey first 40 minutes, Toulouse make a fast start to the second half and Toulon have to deal with a man in the bin too! 🔥
Jack Willis with an important try 💥#InvestecChampionsCuppic.twitter.com/8Mdzzjbg5J
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 13, 2025
It was curious that Willis was replaced by Anthony Jelonch as early as the 47th minute, because his consistency for Toulouse has been remarkable. Competition for a Lions berth is fierce and he has not featured in a Test since England’s 71-0 thrashing of Chile, his only appearance at the 2023 World Cup. Even without Antoine Dupont, Toulouse will aim to defend their Top 14 title in the final on June 28. According to EPCR, Willis finished up with 23 post-contact metres against Toulon, the highest return of any individual across the four quarter-finals.
Realistically, that would rule Willis and Kinghorn out of the Lions action until the third or fourth match in Australia, perhaps giving them just one outing to state their case for the first Test against the Wallabies. Still, few would dispute that they deserve that shot.
Form rating: 9/10
Kyle Sinckler
Following an impressive start to his maiden campaign at Toulon, having traded Bristol Bears for the Top 14, a broken arm kept out Sinckler between mid-January and a return at Castres in late March. Like White, his colleague on the Côte d’Azur, he started against Saracens. The scrum creaked on occasions, though Sinckler showcased typically slick handling on the gain-line. He subsequently dropped out of Toulon’s match-day 23 for the quarter-final. Sinckler is sure to be under consideration – not least because of his experience of two tours in 2017 and 2021 – even if Tadhg Furlong, Zander Fagerson, Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham all seem in stronger positions.
Form rating: 6/10
Manu Tuilagi
How refreshing it has been to see Tuilagi string together games for Bayonne. Following a hand fracture in pre-season, the centre has featured in 15 Top 14 games, helping his team to victory in 10 of those. Bayonne are fourth in the league table, which is a wonderful story. Other centres such as Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are keynote carriers with more recent Test exposure. What a tale it would be, though, if Tuilagi was to tour Australia again 12 years after his first Lions voyage in 2013.
Form rating: 8/10
Owen Farrell
With heavy irony, Farrell’s half-hour cameo from the bench in Galway on Saturday evening was probably his most assertive display yet for Racing 92. He is still not kicking for goal – Nolann le Garrec took over from Dan Lancaster – but landed a neat drop-goal via a post to keep the scoreboard ticking as the visitors controlled territory despite a one-man disadvantage bestowed on them by Wame Naituvi’s early red card. There were a couple of trademark spiral bombs as well, both of which caused Connacht to flap in the back-field:
And then, with five minutes remaining, Farrell fired into a defensive ruck inside the Connacht 22. He forced a turnover – as he had done one the final play against Clermont three weeks previously to seal a dogged away victory – yet was shown a yellow card for tucking his arm and leading with a shoulder into the upper body of Shane Jennings. Marginally higher and the outcome would have been a red card and a ban. Connacht promptly scored a try against 13 men and threatened to snatch victory.
Racing held on to prevail 43-40. Andy Farrell was in the stands, no doubt watching Bealham, Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen as well as his own son. Yet the form of Owen, who conceded that he has endured “a tough old year so far”, with injuries hindering his movement, will be scrutinised by Lions coaches over the next three weeks. Racing face Perpignan and Stade Français in the Top 14 before a Challenge Cup semi-final against Lyon. They are on a run of four consecutive wins since Farrell’s latest return to the team, which suggests that his presence has been positive. While other fly-halves are surely ahead in the Lions reckoning, discussions are certain to be held.
Form rating: 5/10
Best of the rest
Lewis Ludlam and Joe Marchant are undoubtedly long shots, though each of them offer versatility. The former has enamoured Toulon fans with his tenacity, while Marchant has shifted between wing and outside centre for Stade Français. Will Collier, the 33-year-old Castres tighthead who won two England caps back in 2017 during that year’s Lions tour, would be the wildest of wildcards, albeit in a position that does not have too much depth.
Will Rowlands of Racing and Wales is an industrious lock. Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola are now figureheads for Vannes and Montpellier, respectively. Two names to throw into the hat at fly-half are Joe Simmonds, steering Pau, and Sam Davies, the eight-cap Wales playmaker who has guided Grenoble to the summit of Pro D2. Lions selection for either would be a huge shock, but their exploits merit a mention.
Andy Farrell has vowed to spread his net across The Channel when assembling his British and Irish Lions squad. Ahead of the announcement on May 8, tantalisingly falling in the week after the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, here is a run-down of potential tourists currently plying their trade in France.
Ben White
Scotland’s front-line scrum-half is behind the supreme Baptiste Serin at Toulon, which is no disgrace whatsoever. He did start the last-eight Champions Cup tie against Saracens, which saw the Premiership side storm into a 35-13 lead. Toulon had begun to turn the tide, with White directing big carriers, before Serin arrived. Alongside Marius Domon, White was one of two replacements left unused by Pierre Mignoni in the quarter-final loss to Toulouse.
White would be an unfussy foil for Finn Russell, but could offer more to the Lions than merely that familiarity. He is an opportunistic support runner sharp enough to bag tries in each of the first three games of the recent Six Nations. Accepted wisdom suggests that two of Alex Mitchell, Tomos Williams and White will tour as Jamison Gibson-Park’s back-up. George Horne and Jamie Dobie, the latter capable of covering wing, are a pair of alternatives from Glasgow Warriors.
Form rating: 7/10
Blair Kinghorn
Wet weather at Stade Mayol on Sunday restricted both teams and compromised the influence of outside backs particularly. Kinghorn finished with seven carries for a meagre 25 metres, having accumulated 105 metres from 13 carries the previous weekend against Sale Sharks. A strapping and well-balanced runner, the 28-year-old beat five defenders that day. This try was disallowed, yet illustrates how Kinghorn has slotted into – and even enhanced – the characteristic attacking flow of Toulouse:
In the quarter-final, he still produced eye-catching contributions such as a brave one-on-one tackle in open space as Toulon flanker Esteban Adabie tore down his channel. He also scrapped on the floor to earn a turnover in the 64th minute. Kinghorn is proving to be a fine signing for Toulouse, having joined Ugo Mola’s squad from Edinburgh in December 2023. As much as scheduling is difficult, because he will be part of the Top 14 play-offs, versatility will count in his favour. Kinghorn has started several Test matches at fly-half and regularly flits between wing and full-back.
Form rating: 9/10
Courtney Lawes
Lawes walks the walk and talks the talk, so a recent appearance on Dan Biggar’s podcast, A Load of BS on Sport, signalled his stomach for another Lions adventure. With typically forthright conviction, the 36-year-old backed himself to crack the Test side if he were to travel to Australia. Lest we forget that Lawes was excellent in 2017 against the All Blacks as an impact replacement in the last two Tests and then started all three encounters with the Springboks in 2021, despite a regular season that had been decimated by injuries.
He made just five appearances for Northampton Saints across the 2020-21 campaign. Already this term for Brive, Lawes has amassed 18. Interestingly, he began back at lock, a position many thought he had left behind, before returning to the back row. He has captained the team, too, and a 19-13 victory in Agen last Thursday has consolidated Brive’s standing in second place, just five points shy of Grenoble, the Pro D2 leaders.
Lawes has been prolific with line-out steals and jackals. Brive colleagues and coaches are struck by his humility and commitment. From a logistical standpoint, whatever happens in his side’s promotion campaign, Lawes will be finished with club fixtures earlier than players in the Top 14, which is a bonus.
Form rating: 8/10
David Ribbans
From one former Saint to another, Ribbans was outstanding in Sunday’s sopping quarter-final slugfest on the French Riviera. One week after a 15-tackle shift against Saracens, he completed 15 more in a heart-breaking loss to Toulouse. The burly run that brought about Toulon’s second penalty represented a snapshot of what Ribbans offers and how he has grown to be adored by supporters at Stade Mayol:
Joe McCarthy, among the most prominent performers in Leinster’s brutal dismantling of Glasgow on Friday evening, is probably the nearest equivalent from the Six Nations teams as far as athletic profile. Robust locks that cover plenty of ground and whack things – rucks, carriers, scrums and mauls – are essential. Ribbans could have done little more to convince the Lions of his worth because his form has been exemplary. With Toulon poised to progress into the Top 14 play-offs and now free to concentrate on the domestic front, however, a call-up could be complicated.
Form rating: 9/10
Jack Willis
Immense in the victory over Sale, Willis was marshalled carefully around the breakdown at the weekend – both by opponents and officials. Matthew Carley penalised him twice in quick succession in the second quarter, bringing about six points for Toulon thanks to a pair of fine strikes from Melvyn Jaminet. It speaks volumes for Willis’ character and how his game has expanded at Toulouse that he was still able to produce a defining moment. His close-range finish just after half-time showcased the carrying power and opportunistic support play that has flourished in France:
After a cagey first 40 minutes, Toulouse make a fast start to the second half and Toulon have to deal with a man in the bin too! 🔥
Jack Willis with an important try 💥#InvestecChampionsCuppic.twitter.com/8Mdzzjbg5J
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 13, 2025
It was curious that Willis was replaced by Anthony Jelonch as early as the 47th minute, because his consistency for Toulouse has been remarkable. Competition for a Lions berth is fierce and he has not featured in a Test since England’s 71-0 thrashing of Chile, his only appearance at the 2023 World Cup. Even without Antoine Dupont, Toulouse will aim to defend their Top 14 title in the final on June 28. According to EPCR, Willis finished up with 23 post-contact metres against Toulon, the highest return of any individual across the four quarter-finals.
Realistically, that would rule Willis and Kinghorn out of the Lions action until the third or fourth match in Australia, perhaps giving them just one outing to state their case for the first Test against the Wallabies. Still, few would dispute that they deserve that shot.
Form rating: 9/10
Kyle Sinckler
Following an impressive start to his maiden campaign at Toulon, having traded Bristol Bears for the Top 14, a broken arm kept out Sinckler between mid-January and a return at Castres in late March. Like White, his colleague on the Côte d’Azur, he started against Saracens. The scrum creaked on occasions, though Sinckler showcased typically slick handling on the gain-line. He subsequently dropped out of Toulon’s match-day 23 for the quarter-final. Sinckler is sure to be under consideration – not least because of his experience of two tours in 2017 and 2021 – even if Tadhg Furlong, Zander Fagerson, Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham all seem in stronger positions.
Form rating: 6/10
Manu Tuilagi
How refreshing it has been to see Tuilagi string together games for Bayonne. Following a hand fracture in pre-season, the centre has featured in 15 Top 14 games, helping his team to victory in 10 of those. Bayonne are fourth in the league table, which is a wonderful story. Other centres such as Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are keynote carriers with more recent Test exposure. What a tale it would be, though, if Tuilagi was to tour Australia again 12 years after his first Lions voyage in 2013.
Form rating: 8/10
Owen Farrell
With heavy irony, Farrell’s half-hour cameo from the bench in Galway on Saturday evening was probably his most assertive display yet for Racing 92. He is still not kicking for goal – Nolann le Garrec took over from Dan Lancaster – but landed a neat drop-goal via a post to keep the scoreboard ticking as the visitors controlled territory despite a one-man disadvantage bestowed on them by Wame Naituvi’s early red card. There were a couple of trademark spiral bombs as well, both of which caused Connacht to flap in the back-field:
And then, with five minutes remaining, Farrell fired into a defensive ruck inside the Connacht 22. He forced a turnover – as he had done one the final play against Clermont three weeks previously to seal a dogged away victory – yet was shown a yellow card for tucking his arm and leading with a shoulder into the upper body of Shane Jennings. Marginally higher and the outcome would have been a red card and a ban. Connacht promptly scored a try against 13 men and threatened to snatch victory.
Racing held on to prevail 43-40. Andy Farrell was in the stands, no doubt watching Bealham, Bundee Aki and Mack Hansen as well as his own son. Yet the form of Owen, who conceded that he has endured “a tough old year so far”, with injuries hindering his movement, will be scrutinised by Lions coaches over the next three weeks. Racing face Perpignan and Stade Français in the Top 14 before a Challenge Cup semi-final against Lyon. They are on a run of four consecutive wins since Farrell’s latest return to the team, which suggests that his presence has been positive. While other fly-halves are surely ahead in the Lions reckoning, discussions are certain to be held.
Form rating: 5/10
Best of the rest
Lewis Ludlam and Joe Marchant are undoubtedly long shots, though each of them offer versatility. The former has enamoured Toulon fans with his tenacity, while Marchant has shifted between wing and outside centre for Stade Français. Will Collier, the 33-year-old Castres tighthead who won two England caps back in 2017 during that year’s Lions tour, would be the wildest of wildcards, albeit in a position that does not have too much depth.
Will Rowlands of Racing and Wales is an industrious lock. Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola are now figureheads for Vannes and Montpellier, respectively. Two names to throw into the hat at fly-half are Joe Simmonds, steering Pau, and Sam Davies, the eight-cap Wales playmaker who has guided Grenoble to the summit of Pro D2. Lions selection for either would be a huge shock, but their exploits merit a mention.
