From Grassroots To Greatness: British & Irish Lions Squad Announced

As the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad is unveiled, it’s not just the elite names that deserve the spotlight — it’s the community clubs where it all began. The parks, school fields, and local pitches where these stars first laced up their boots are the real unsung heroes of rugby’s greatest stories.

Let’s take a look at this year’s selected backs and forwards — and the grassroots clubs that helped shape their path to Lions glory.

🏉 Backs: From Local Legends to Lions

• Bundee Aki — Manurewa Rugby Club (New Zealand)
• Elliot Daly — Beckenham RFC (England)
• Tommy Freeman — Wymondham RFC (England)
• Jamison Gibson-Park — Ngāti Porou East Coast / Gisborne Boys’ High School (NZ)
• Mack Hansen — Canberra Royals (Australia)
• Huw Jones — Golden Lions youth / Northwood School (South Africa)
• Hugo Keenan — Blackrock College RFC (Ireland)
• Blair Kinghorn — Edinburgh Academy / Edinburgh Accies RFC (Scotland)
• James Lowe — Waimea Old Boys RFC (New Zealand)
• Alex Mitchell — Lymm RFC (England)
• Garry Ringrose — Blackrock College RFC (Ireland)
• Finn Russell — Stirling County RFC (Scotland)
• Fin Smith — Shipston-on-Stour RFC (England)
• Marcus Smith — Centaurs RFC (Singapore) & Brighton College (England)
• Sione Tuipulotu — Moorabbin Rugby Club (Australia)
• Duhan van der Merwe — Hoërskool Outeniqua (South Africa)
• Tomos Williams — Treorchy RFC (Wales)

🏉 Forwards: Powered by the Community Game

• Tadhg Beirne — Lansdowne FC (Ireland)
• Ollie Chessum — Newark RFC (England)
• Jack Conan — Old Belvedere RFC (Ireland)
• Luke Cowan-Dickie — Newquay RFC (England)
• Scott Cummings — Glasgow Hawks RFC (Scotland)
• Tom Curry — Crewe & Nantwich RUFC (England)
• Ben Earl — Sevenoaks RFC (England)
• Zander Fagerson — Dundee Eagles RFC (Scotland)
• Tadhg Furlong — New Ross RFC (Ireland)
• Ellis Genge — Old Redcliffians RFC (England)
• Maro Itoje — St George’s School & Harpenden RFC (England)
• Ronan Kelleher — Clontarf FC (Ireland)
• Joe McCarthy — Old Belvedere or Clontarf (Ireland)
• Jac Morgan — Cwmtwrch RFC (Wales)
• Henry Pollock — Banbury RFC (England)
• Andrew Porter — St Andrew’s College / UCD RFC (Ireland)
• James Ryan — St Michael’s College & Lansdowne FC (Ireland)
• Pierre Schoeman — Affies / Blue Bulls youth (South Africa)
• Dan Sheehan — Lansdowne FC (Ireland)
• Will Stuart — Andover RFC (England)
• Josh van der Flier — Wicklow RFC (Ireland)

🌍 The Heartbeat of Rugby

These community clubs and schools provided the foundations — often through volunteers, parents, and passionate coaches — that propelled these players to international acclaim. Whether it was a frosty Sunday morning in Scotland or a blazing school match in New Zealand, every player’s journey started with those first passes and tackles at their local club.

Take Stirling County RFC in Scotland, for example — the club where Finn Russell first learned the art of attacking flair. Their investment in youth rugby continues to create pathways for future internationals. Similarly, Wicklow RFC in Ireland has every right to swell with pride as Josh van der Flier carries their name onto the world stage. And then there’s Sevenoaks RFC in England, which not only nurtured Ben Earl but continues to be a shining example of how a community club can balance grassroots values with elite ambition.

As we cheer on the Lions in 2025, let’s also raise a glass to the grassroots heroes who make dreams possible. The pride of the Lions roars loudest because of them. 🦁🏉