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Ireland dominate poll asking fans to pick Lions team to play today
By Liam Heagney
British and Irish Lions fans reckon nine Ireland players would get in the Test team if they were playing today. The Rugby World Cup ended last weekend in a bronze medal finish for England behind title winners South Africa, who beat New Zealand in the final.
With that tournament now over, the Lions – in conjunction with their partner Howden – have been running a social media competition asking fans to pick their Lions XV to be in with a chance of winning travel, first Test tickets and accommodation on the upcoming 2025 tour of Australia.
Their latest update on how fans have been voting this week has revealed that nine Ireland players are leading the poll, with the team completed by two England players, two Scottish and two Welsh.
Five Ireland players are in the pack, including all three front row places going to Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.
The Irish forwards were completed by Tadhg Beirne and Caelan Doris, with representation from other nations coming from England’s Maro Itoje and Tom Curry along with Wales’ Jac Morgan who is listed as captain.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell are leading the half-back poll, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose the midfield partnership. A back three of Duhan van der Merwe, Louis Rees-Zammit and Hugo Keenan rounded off the team.
There has been plenty of Lions tour speculation since the World Cup finished with Warren Gatland suggesting Andy Farrell should be the head coach in 2025. Ronan O'Gara has also revealed he would be interested in a coaching role if Farrell did lead the tourists.
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Latest Comments
I think it's the least likely possibility Ed.
Go to commentsScotland should win this one, considering they are the settled team compared to Australia. However, that is no guarantee that they will win. The Aussies tails is up, and they are throwing everything at the opposition.
When the Aussie fans cracked up and got angry when Joe Schmidt was appointed, I said to them to be patient, that he will get them on the right track. They said that he is not Australian and he won nothing. Second best. I should mind my own business because I don't know the Aussie ways, which is true as I'm SA.
However, now that he is bringing in results, they are all changing their minds. Joe is all in when he coaches a team. There is no team he supports more than the team he coaches. His quality is shining through properly now.
It's going to be a very tight game, much tighter than people realise. Both teams is playing exciting rugby right now. They both want to win. I'd even go as far as marking this game as the top game of the weekend.
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