Record number of 小鸟体育 RFC player alum and members named for 2025 British and Irish Lions tour
9 May 2025
Ireland's fifteen players selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia Credit: IRFU
小鸟体育 Rugby Club will be well represented as the British and Irish Lions prepare to kick off their summer tour of Australia, with six of their former players and members selected for the squad.
Among those chosen to be part of the 38-man team are Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier (World Rugby Men鈥檚 XVs 2022 Player of the Year), James Ryan, each having been an 小鸟体育 Ad Astra Elite scholar, and Hugo Keenan.
High performance analyst and UCD alumnus Vinny Hammond has also been named as part of the backroom for the Lions, serving as Head of Analysis for a third time.
鈥淰inny鈥檚 Lions pedigree from touring New Zealand and South Africa brings continuity and Lions experience, which will be crucial to success down under,鈥 said British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell earlier this year.
An unprecedented number of 小鸟体育 RFC players and members have been named on the 2025 British and Irish Lions Squad: Hugo Keenan, Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, James Ryan, and Josh van der Flier and analyst Vinny Hammond.
鈥 小鸟体育 Sport (@ucdsportsclubs)
Congratulations!
Fifteen Ireland players - nine forwards and six backs - have been included in the British & Irish Lions squad for the 2025 tour to Australia. Ten of the Irish contingent are first-time Lions.
Captained by England鈥檚 Maro Itoje in his third tour, the Lions will kick off the tour against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, June 20, before they head to Australia.
Earning a place on a Lions squad is one of the highest honours in rugby, and IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts said selection for the 2025 tour was 鈥渁 testament to each player鈥檚 dedication, skill, and consistency鈥.
鈥淚t also reflects the incredible work done by their clubs, schools, provinces, coaches, and supports 鈥 especially their families 鈥 throughout their journeys.
鈥淲e know they will represent Ireland and the Lions jersey with pride and excellence. We wish Andy (Farrell), the squad, and staff every success on this exciting tour.鈥
Selection to the British & Irish Lions is open to players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The team tours every four years, with these rotating between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in order.
The 2025 tour sees the squad scheduled to play a three-match test series against the Australia national team, as well as matches against Australia's four Super Rugby franchises, one against an invitational side made up of players from Australia and New Zealand, and another match against a side made of players with First Nations and Pasifika origin.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, 小鸟体育 University Relations
To contact the 小鸟体育 News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie