14 Ireland players may seem like a lot at first glance, but judging by past Lions squad selections, it is far from excessive for the dominant rugby side out of the four nations.
The 2021 squad was fairly even, with England leading the way by taking 11 players, but 2017 saw them bring 16, with Wales bringing 15 in 2013, while the 2009 tour saw 14 Ireland players selected in the original squad.
With unprecedented strength in depth in Irish rugby and Andy Farrell leading the Lions Down Under, we could see even more than 14 Irish players chosen.
A Look At Ireland's Potential Lions
Front Row
Andrew Porter was selected in 2021 (he pulled out with injury before the tour began) and we expect him to go again in 2025.
His scrummaging has been a huge concern and a major talking point in Irish rugby, but his work around the park is too good to go without.
If we were to pick an Ireland XV to play tomorrow, Finlay Bealham would get the start on the other side of the scrum, and he will be in contention for Lions selection himself. However, you have to back Furlong to regain his form in time for selection, with his experience making him a hard man to bet against.
Dan Sheehan is arguably the best hooker in the world currently and one of the Irish 'definites'. He will be looking to produce similar performances to Keith Wood in 1997 and 2001.
His Leinster teammate Rónan Kelleher will also be there or there abouts, and has the added bonus of having trained with the Lions squad in 2021.
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13 January 2024; Ireland rugby ; Andrew Porter of Leinster and Leo Monin of Stade Francais contest for the ball during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 Round 3 match between Leinster and Stade Francais at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Lock
We wrote earlier about James Ryan's captaincy credentials, and we fully expect him to make the squad, having missed out in 2021 after a run of poor form.
Joe McCarthy continues to level up in the Irish rugby scene at a phenomenal rate, and it will be a surprise to no one if he starts for Ireland against France on February 3.
With another year of experience banked, he could go as one of the squad's top players.
The man with the most Lions experience, Iain Henderson, will want to make a third tour, and if he can keep his place in the Irish 23, he may achieve just that.
Back Row
Caelan Doris has been one of Europe's top performers since 2021 and should make it a second tour in a row with an Irishman starting at number 8.
Although Tadhg Beirne has generally been deployed at lock for Ireland and Munster, he was seen as a back row on the last Lions tour, and may see more time at blindside for his country due to the emergence of McCarthy.
There will be massive competition at open side, with the likes of Wales' Jac Morgan and England's Tom Curry, but the consistency and injury record of Josh van der Flier will be crucial.
With the amount of young Irish talent at back row, it is difficult to predict just how many could make it.
Ryan Baird will be looking to over take Peter O'Mahony in the Ireland pecking order, while O'Mahony will also be aiming to travel.
The Munster duo of Tom Ahern and John Hodnett have become key players for their province and could make a break through with Ireland in the next year, and thrust themselves into the Lions conversation.
16 December 2023; Ireland rugby ; Josh van der Flier of Leinster is tackled by Ernst van Rhys and Ross Harrison of Sale Sharks during the Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 Round 2 match between Leinster and Sale Sharks at the RDS Arena in Dublin. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Half Backs
There's not much strength in depth across the board at scrum-half, and with Jamison Gibson-Park being such a favourite of Andy Farrell's, we expect him to travel.
A 36-year-old Conor Murray will be unlikely to make it, but as long as he is still playing internationally he will have a chance.
Jack Crowley is yet to prove himself at international level, but playing in an in-form and well coached side is crucial for an out-half to be able to play to best of their ability.
We expect Finn Russell and one of the English trio of Owen Farrell, George Ford, and Marcus Smith to go as well. Smith and Ford will be fighting for the English jersey in Farrell's international absence, and this could hurt their consistency.
Centre
Garry Ringrose was desperately unlucky not to travel in 2021, but he shouldn't have to worry about his spot on the plane to Australia.
2023 World Player of the Year nominee Bundee Aki will be 35 by the time the tour comes around, but we reckon he may be targeting it has a last hoorah.
Robbie Henshaw will find it tough to make a third tour without being first-choice for Ireland, but it would not be a shock to see a trio of Irish centres Down Under.
22 December 2023; Ireland rugby ; Bundee Aki of Connacht after picking up an injury during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Connacht at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Back Three
Hugo Keenan is another of Ireland's 'definites', and the most nailed on to tour and to start.
At least one of Mack Hansen or James Lowe should travel, and given Hansen's age and absurd form over the past year, he is the favourite of the two.
Ireland's 2025 Lions
Andrew Porter
Dan Sheehan
Tadhg Furlong
Joe McCarthy
James Ryan
Tadhg Beirne
Josh van der Flier
Caelan Doris
Jamison Gibson-Park
Jack Crowley
Bundee Aki
Garry Ringrose
Mack Hansen
Hugo Keenan
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