Content Lion’s Week Three Recap: A Dive into Fly-Halves, Back Threes & Team Leadership Insights
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Media caption: ‘Monster’ kicks, singing and plenty of tries – best moments from Six Nations week three
Published on 25 February 2025 with 1313 comments. We are now halfway through the tournament that will help determine the British and Irish Lions touring party. With all home nations facing off against each other, it was a perfect opportunity for teams to stake their claims.
Ireland defeated Wales in Cardiff, while England edged past Scotland at Allianz Stadium. BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly pundits have shared insights on who Lions head coach Andy Farrell might be focusing his attention on this season.
Former Lions captain Sam Warburton also provided his thoughts on the potential candidates for the squad’s captaincy role. Fans are invited to pick their ideal Lions XV in the comments section below.
Fly-Halves
Scottish Fly-half:
Scottish fly-half Finn Russell showed resilience against England, demonstrating his ability to lead under pressure. Despite Scotland’s missed chances, he remains a strong contender for selection with Farrell due to his experience in Test matches.
Captaincy
Potential Captains:
Three leading candidates are Caelan Doris from Ireland, Maro Itoje from England, and Jac Morgan from Wales. Warburton highlighted the importance of leadership qualities in a captain.
Doris’s Leadership Potential
Caelan Doris missed his team’s win over Wales due to an injury but has been considered for captaincy by Farrell earlier this year. His strength as a number eight and his ability to perform under pressure make him a worthy candidate for leading the Lions.
Wings
Tommy Freeman:
England wing Tommy Freeman’s performance in all three rounds of the tournament has caught attention. His power was evident when he scored England’s only try against Scotland, making him a strong contender for selection by the Lions team.
Mono’s Opinion on Freeman
Former England wing Ugo Monye believes that Tommy Freeman is an underappreciated talent in current discussions about potential Lions selections. He praises Freeman’s low error count and aerial ability, suggesting he could be a dark horse for inclusion.
Propositions:
Caelan Doris (Ireland):
Given his injury status, Caelan Doris missed the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership during this round. However, Farrell’s previous selection of him as Ireland’s captain in 2024 suggests a strong belief in his potential for top-level performance.
Lions XV Suggestions
Warburton’s Lions XV:
- Hugo Keenan (back)
- Tommy Freeman (wing)
Barclay’s Lions XV:
- Dale Kinghorn (fly-half)
- Shaun Van der Merwe (scrum-half)
In Conclusion
The Six Nations round three highlighted several outstanding performances that could shape the Lions squad for 2025. With strong contenders emerging across positions, it will be interesting to see which players ultimately receive selection by Andy Farrell and his coaching staff.
