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.
Joe Schmidt has a plethora of options at his disposal off the back of a strong past 12 months.
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Continuing our series, Rugby.com.au breaks down each position, leading up to the announcement in the coming weeks.
This week sees us turn to the back row, with likely five or six spots available, given the makeups of previous Lions squads. The competition is red hot, given the talent blooded in 2024.
Fraser McReight finished the year as the standout openside flanker in the country.
McReight has faced the most competition to date for his number seven jersey but his place in the squad is a near certainty.
The Reds star has been in fine form to finish the season and is primed for a big international season in 2025.
Speaking of competition, Tizzano has pushed McReight all the way in 2025.
Tizzano finished the year as the top try-scorer and in the top five for tackles, putting his bulked up frame to good use.
The headache for coach Joe Schmidt will be finding a spot for the Force superstar.
Uru’s push for a gold jersey has been hampered by injury in the last month.
The rangy backrower has been strong for the Reds in the first half of the year, forming a strong partnership with McReight and Harry Wilson.
Uru is likely back this week for the Reds’ finals game against the Crusaders and needs a big game to re-establish his place in the squad.
The two-time John Eales Medalist is quickly writing his name amongst the legends as one of the best back-rowers to pull on a gold jersey.
As certain of a pick as possible if fit.
Captain Australia.
Wilson stepped up as leader for the Wallabies in 2025 and has returned in time from injury for the Reds finals campaign.
Given his status under Schmidt, Wilson is a near certainty for selection.
Gleeson was left out of the January squad amid his impending move to France.
However, he has come out firing in 2025 as one of the Waratahs’ best in a mixed year.
The back-rower has been in brilliant form and is almost forcing selectors hands to include him in the squad.
Reimer finds himself battling a pair of generational talents at open side flanker.
The Brumby is world class in his own right, although has struggled to nail a consistent starting spot.
His strong performance against England A last year gives selectors plenty to think about heading into this international season and at a minimum, should feature in the AUNZ game.
Scott has flown under the radar of many for several years, with the back-rower stepping into the starting flanker role ahead of Reimer.
The Canberra-bred talent is having one of his best years yet, starting in 11 games so far for the Brumbies in 2025.
Champion de Crespigny was one of the finds of the year in Super Rugby Pacific for the Force.
The former Castres backrower added major physicality and size to the Force’s pack, delivering some thundering hits.
Champion de Crespigny faces some tough competition but could feature later in the year if injuries start to mount.
Leota has been strong in his debut season for the Waratahs.
The back-rower thrived on the edge with three tries in his first five games, but found himself sitting on the sidelines to finish the season with an ankle injury.
This along with his move to Bayonne at the end of the year will hurt his chances for a call-up.
Gamble has been a reliable figure in the Waratahs back-rower for the past five years as he pushes for a Wallabies debut.
The Kiwi born flanker has been close in the past under Dave Rennie and has been name dropped by Schmidt in the past.
Ultimately, the competition for spots for that open side position has never been stronger so it’s a tough task for Gamble to break through.
Brial is in red-hot form, capitalising on injuries in the Reds pack to rocket into contention.
His physicality has been a major point of difference in the past month, with his try against the Hurricanes catching plenty of attention.
It may be too soon for the 23-year-old, who entered the year with just one Super Rugby start to his name, but his naming in the Australia XV squad to face England A last November is a sign there is big things expected out of the son of ex-Wallaby Michael.
Cale has been struggling with a back injury all year, limited to just four games in 2025.
The number eight had an excellent 2024 and would be firming for selection if he backed up this form in 2025.
Wright’s luckless run continues with injury and is set for another long stint on the sidelines.
Almost 12 months on from captaining the Wallabies in Schmidt’s first game in charge, Wright has featured twice in 2025 before another shoulder injury ended his campaign.
