The other Lions squad that's just been named to face Australia this summer including Wales greats
The other Lions squad that's just been named to face Australia this summer including Wales greats
Tomos Williams and Jac Morgan won't be the only Welshmen heading to Australia this summer after all
Biggar is set to pull on a Lions jersey again
(Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan )
The British & Irish Lions squad to take on Australia this summer has officially been named, with Andy Farrell revealing the 38 tourists he has selected at the O2 Arena on Thursday.
While it was widely expected, it was a disappointing result for the Welsh names in the mix, with Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams the only Lions representatives from a Wales side that has lost each of their last 17 Test matches. Unsurprisingly, it is the lowest number of Welsh players selected for a Lions tour in nearly 90 years.
However, there will be some big Welsh names in action Down Under this summer after all, with a second Lions squad revealed to be taking on a Wallabies side as well.
Twelve years in the making, the Legends Series is returning for 2025, with a British & Irish Rugby Legends side set to do battle with a Classic Wallabies team over an expanded two-match series.
In total, six Wales greats are set to be involved, with Dan Biggar, Leigh Halfpenny, Shane Williams and Alex Cuthbert the Welsh representatives in a star-studded back line.
In the forwards, meanwhile, Rhys Gill and Andy Powell will be pulling on their boots again, with former Ireland hooker Shane Byrne named captain of the squad.
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There is a bit more of an equal split of nations in the 32-man squad compared to the one named by Andy Farrell, but England dominate with 14 players - including Mike Tindall, Brad Barritt and Matt Stevens - involved.
As well as Byrne, six more players - Tom Court, Jamie Hagan, Mike McCarthy, Mike Ross, Isaac Boss, Craig Gilroy - come from Ireland, while Scotland have five representatives in Nathan Hines, Ryan Wilson, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson and Tommy Seymour.
The Wallabies team, meanwhile, will feature some greats of Australian rugby including Test centurions George Smith, Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
The two-match series will see the two sides go head-to-head in Melbourne on Thursday, July 24 - shortly before the Lions' second Test - and in Sydney on Thursday, July 31.
Back in 2013, the two teams played in front of a sold-out crowd at the North Sydney Oval, and they will be returning to the stadium for more of the same 12 years on.
'The last time we hosted the British & Irish Legends in 2013, we witnessed 12,000 passionate fans pack North Sydney Oval for an unforgettable night of rugby,' said Morgan Turinui, general manager of Classic Wallabies.
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'In 2025, we're raising the bar with an expanded series that gives more Australian fans and the estimated 30,000 traveling Lions supporters the chance to see rugby greats back in action.
England great Jason Leonard, an ambassador for the Legends squad, added 'Legends games bring out the very best of our sport, rekindling old adversaries and reigniting lifelong friendships.
"The Legends Series in Australia in 2025 will be the pinnacle of these and we are delighted that we will be raising funds for a number of charities that are very close to my heart.'
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