On Friday night, the British and Irish Lions will kick off their 2025 tour in Dublin against Argentina. The squad has several injury concerns and players who have joined up late due to playing in domestic finals as well as Blair Kinghorn still being in the midst of a top 14 title race with Toulouse.Personally, I would try to rest most of the players who just played in those finals and take this opportunity to watch some other players. With all of that in mind, this is the side I would select to take on the Pumas.
1.Ellis Genge
The Bristol prop is the first choice for his country and is set to play a big part of the tour this summer. I'm resting Andrew Porter given that he just played 74 minutes for Leinster in their URC final.
2.Luke Cowan-Dickie
This is another position where I have simply selected the player who hasn't just played a final. Cowan-Dickie has quite a challenging path to a spot in the first team for the three test matches given Farrell's trust in Sheehan and Kelleher. This game could give him the head start he needs to get on the pitch on the weekends.
3.Finlay Bealham
Bealham is the latest inclusion in this squad after Fagerson dropped out due to injury. The Connacht prop has stepped into Ireland's starting XV well when Furlong has been injured and has earned this spot in his own right.
4.Maro Itoje(C)
The tour captain will lead this team out for the first time on Friday night. He looks set to play a starring role this summer and will want to set down a strong marker in Dublin.
5.Tadhg Beirne
The Munster man can play in both the second row and in the back row but I have him starting in his more common position. Given the back row I have selected, his height and line-out prowess will be crucial to this team's success.
6.Jac Morgan
Morgan represents his country's best shot at having a player in the Lions starting XV. He is certainly good enough but will want to make a big impression given his competition.
7.Tom Curry
Curry has been one of the best 7s in the world over the past year and will provide the ruck dominance that the Lions will need to compete with a fierce, Argentinian back row.
8.Ben Earl
With Doris unfortunately missing the tour due to injury, the competition for the number 8 spot is between Conan and Earl. Earl is more rested so he gets the first go in Dublin.
9.Alex Mitchell
JGP is injured so Mitchell gets to start today with Jack Van Poortvliet also being called up as temporary injury cover.
10.Fin Smith
Smith will operate at fly-half in a partnership with his England and Northampton teammate, Alex Mitchell.
11.Duhan Van der Merwe
Van der Merwe is an X-factor player who can break any game wide open. If he hits form, he could easily be the player of the series.
12.Sione Tuipulotu
Tuipulotu is in a battle with Aki for the inside centre spot and will get the first shot in my team. He was always a powerful runner but has now developed into a great play-maker and leader as well.
13.Huw Jones
Jones partners his Scotland teammate in midfield and will bring his attacking flair to this exciting line-up.
14.Tommy Freeman
Freeman has become a key player for his country in recent times and will be hoping to bring that form to this stage. He may face a challenge from Mack Hansen when he gets back to full health, but Freeman will get the first shot.
15.Elliot Daly
Daly's reliability and versatility give him an edge over the others and those attributes mean that he is the natural replacement for Keenan given that the Irishman is currently injured.
Bench
16.Ronan Kelleher
17.Pierre Schoeman
18.Will Stuart
19.Scott Cummings
20.Henry Pollock
21.Tomos Williams
22.Marcus Smith
23.Bundee Aki
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