With the British & Irish squad announced and Super Rugby Pacific winding down, all eyes turn to Australia to see who will be named for the Wallabies.
When it comes to positions in a national rugby side, Joe Schmidt has several conundrums to contend with going into the Lions series.
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Concluding our series of articles, Rugby.com.au breaks down each position, leading up to the announcement in July.
Our final article sees us turn to the back three, with likely up to six spots available for wing and fullback given the make-ups of previous Lions squads.
Australia's most experienced wing option in terms of both age and game time, the 41-capped Wallaby Kellaway is almost certain to feature in Schmidt's Lions outfit.
Starting in nearly every Test match in 2024, Kellaway's form has continued in the 2025 season for the Waratahs.
He has become one of the most consistent players in the back three over the last few years - which Schmidt would be wise to capitalise on.
The Aussie Sevens star has not featured in the Wallaby squad since his debut against Georgia in the 2024 July series.
Only getting on the field on eight occasions for the Waratahs in 2025, the 22-year-old has suffered an injury-plagued Super Rugby season, and would likely be an outside shot for the squad as a result.
Speaking of Sevens stars and injury-plagued seasons, 2025 has also been a frustrating one for seven-capped Wallaby Dylan Pietsch so far: only getting on the field for his new side the Western Force on seven occasions.
However, when he has been on he has looked impressive, with three tries to his name.
Given he regularly featured in Joe Schmidt's side throughout 2024, Pietsch's involvement could go one of two ways - with plenty of contending stars putting their hands up across the season.
Only featuring in two of the Wallaby Tests on their Grand Slam tour - one off the bench for two minutes against Ireland - Harry Potter will likely fall into a similar position to Pietsch, serving as a crucial back up player if picked for Joe Schmidt's squad.
However, Potter has had ample opportunity to show his stuff - and has delivered across the Super Rugby season.
Coming second in the whole competition for clean breaks (20), third for metres gained (780) and fourth for defenders beaten (47), he has been a standout for the men in the west - which will play into his hands.
When it comes to the battle for who will be featured in Joe Schmidt's squad, some names are almost certain to feature in the squad - and Brumbies fullback Tom Wright is one of them.
The 39-capped Wallaby fullback has had a stranglehold on the fullback jersey since his 2020 debut, a stint that we haven't seen since the likes of Michael Hooper on the seven jersey or Stephen Moore at hooker - starting in every Test bar one in 2024.
His form has only continued in 2025, coming third in the Super Rugby competition for carries (180), third for clean breaks (19), third for defenders beaten (59) - and topping the competition for metres gained (1,314) - over 430 metres more than the next best player.
One of Australian rugby's most promising up-and-coming stars, seven-capped Wallaby Max Jorgensen has been a regular feature since his 2024 debut against the Springboks.
However, injuries could cruel his chances to go at the Lions, having been sidelined since late March with an ankle injury that has required surgery.
The youngster will be a likely feature, should he be match fit. However, the young Waratah is in a race against the clock to be ready - which opens the door for others.
When it comes to contenders for the Lions series, no part of the field has more potential options for Joe Schmidt than the back three.
Starting at the Brumbies, Corey Toole is a name that, arguably more than anyone else - been one fans have wondered how long it will be until that elusive debut - featuring in the Rugby Championship and Spring Tour squads, with multiple caps for Australia XV.
Coming joint second in the Super Rugby competition for tries scored (11) and topping the competition for clean breaks (24) - he has had an ideal season to put his best foot forward for a late inclusion.
Even if he isn't picked, he could serve as an ideal finisher for the AUNZ Invitational side, if selected.
The 109-capped Brumby star has served as a handy running mate for Corey Toole, finishing third in the Super Rugby competition for tries scored (9), and sixth for defenders beaten (16).
Featuring in the Australia XV tour last year, Muirhead would be a handy experienced head that would be considered should other players go down - even if it would be his debut in Wallaby gold.
If not picked, Muirhead will likely be a front runner for the First Nations Pasifika XV side in Melbourne, serving as a handy weapon on the wing.
Speaking of experienced heads, 95-capped Wallaby veteran Kurtley Beale has had to make a long return back from an Achilles injury sustained in 2024 - joining the latter half of the 2025 Western Force season.
The 36-year-old would be a left-field choice to include from Joe Schmidt, but Beale would also be a serious contender for the First Nations Pasifika XV side, as Australia's most-capped Indigenous player.
Staying in the west, Mac Grealy's first season for the Force was an impressive one, finishing the year the second highest player across the whole Super Rugby competition for metres gained (878) and seventh for defenders beaten (41).
Grealy would be an outside prospect, with less than 50 caps to his name across the Force and Reds, and no call up for Australia XV.
However, with a perfect season of starts for the Force, Grealy has made his intentions for higher honours clear.
A potential bolter back into the Wallaby set up, 11-capped Wallaby Filipo Daugunu has not featured in gold since coming off in the 26th minute in the first Test against the Springboks last year.
The Reds star had been enjoying a meteoric season in 2024 until picking up a red card against Georgia, but has looked promising both in the centres and on the wing across his 12 appearances for the Reds in 2025.
The 88-capped Queensland Red had one of his best seasons in years in 2025 - even after missing a large chunk of the early season due to injury.
Competition is particularly fierce for the back up fullback position; while he might not have had enough time to press his case, there was plenty to suggest Campbell could reclaim his best form, building nicely off his selection in the Australia XV side late last year.
The leading contender from overseas, 63-capped Wallaby Marika Koroibete hasn't been included in the side since their record loss to Argentina in Santa Fe last year.
The former Rebel however has rediscovered his form for the Panasonic Wild Knights - and could serve as a handy veteran campaigner to bring in - either for the Wallabies or for the First Nations Pasifika XV side.
One of the shining stars for the Waratahs in 2025, former Sevens star Triston Reilly did well to earn regular starts in sky blue, especially with competition from Andrew Kellaway, Darby Lancaster, Max Jorgensen and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Despite picking up several tries for his efforts, Reilly would be an outside chance to feature in the Wallaby squad, with several key stars above him in the pecking order.
Lastly, finishing with the cult hero of the Queensland Reds, the Junkyard Dog enjoyed a breakout 2024 season following a strong 2023 for Australia U20.
Missing out on Australia XV honours last year due to injury, Tim Ryan hasn't had as strong a season in 2025, with two tries across his 14 games while also having to overcome an ankle injury.
Ryan will be an outside chance to feature in the main squad, and will likely need to rely on club form to push his case.
