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, few generate more discussion than who should be picked in the halves - and Joe Schmidt has several conundrums to contend with going into the Lions series.
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Continuing our series, Rugby.com.au breaks down each position, leading up to the announcement in July.
This week sees us turn to the halves, with likely three spots for the flyhalf and scrumhalf each available given the make-ups of previous Lions squads.
Mostly serving as the backup flyhalf throughout Joe Schmidt's tenure, Ben Donaldson's stocks have likely risen following news of Noah Lolesio's impending departure from Australian rugby.
Donaldson has committed to the Western Force until the 2027 World Cup, with several show stopping moments in the 2025 season - starting with his clutch win over Moana Pasifika in round one.
Donaldson is likely entering the series with one of the flyhalf positions having his name on it - and will be in stiff competition for the starting ten jersey against the Lions.
After making his Wallaby debut at the end of a strong 2024 campaign, Edmed has struggled to lock a spot down at the Waratahs in 2025.
While starting to get more game time near the end of the season, Edmed didn't play his best rugby.
As a result, Edmed might end up as one of the unlucky men missing out on the tour - particularly if a bolter from overseas joins the squad.
Arguably, no player in gold over the last few years has had more focus on their performance than the incumbent Wallaby flyhalf, Noah Lolesio - who came into 2025 with his stocks risen after having valuable time in the saddle under Joe Schmidt.
His form has continued in 2025 bar a couple of injuries, but a massive asterisk has followed the star around - the fact that he has taken up a short-term deal overseas in Japan from the end of 2025.
Given Schmidt has made it no secret he will prioritise those who have committed to Australian rugby, Lolesio's position as Lions starting flyhalf could be in serious doubt.
One of the big improvers at the Queensland Reds, Tom Lynagh's effort was rewarded in 2024, with the flyhalf being capped three times under Joe Schmidt.
However, with Lolesio set to depart, Lynagh's chances of more time in gold expand significantly.
His limited time at international level might hinder his chances to start against the Lions - but Lynagh will be in the conversation going forward: not just for the Lions, but when Les Kiss will take the reins next year.
Tom Lynagh's running mate in the Reds' halves, Tate McDermott carved out a strong position as the finishing scrumhalf in Joe Schmidt's Wallabies - but 2025 might see him challenge for the starting nine jersey.
McDermott has been consistently difficult for all oppositions to wrangle, and his ability to commit players and snipe around the ruck sees him in the conversation for one of the most dangerous attacking scrum halves in the world.
With the Reds co-captain also committing to Australian rugby, McDermott has proven himself both as an effective starting scrumhalf and a bench option - and is likely to feature against the Lions.
Joe Schmidt's incumbent Wallaby scrum half, Jake Gordon's stocks firmly rose with time in the saddle, with the Waratahs captain committing to Australian rugby for another two years.
Starting in all nine Tests he was selected for, the 29-capped Wallaby continued his form as the Waratahs started their 2025 season well, before injuries hampered the back half of his Super Rugby season.
Given how heavily he has featured in the Schmidt era and his commitment to Australian rugby, there is no reason to think he won't be a major part in Schmidt's Lions plans.
The most experienced option on Australian shores, facing the Lions has been a long time goal for the 71-capped Wallaby veteran after he missed the 2013 tour due to injury.
Included in Joe Schmidt's 2024 Grand Slam tour, Nic White has emerged as a key leader for the Western Force, signing a one year extension with the club.
A head like White's will be valuable in such a young halves group - and with only six of Schmidt's last squad having more than 50 caps to their name, White will likely be in the conversation.
A player who has been on the fringe of Wallaby selection for a long time, Ryan Lonergan is still awaiting his Test debut in gold, despite showing strong form at the Brumbies.
The scrumhalf has earned five caps for Australia A since 2022, including featuring in the 2024 tour against Bristol and England A.
While his sudden inclusion in the Lions side might raise some eyebrows, the 54-capped Brumby has been marked for such an inclusion for several years.
The 64-capped veteran star who has been killing for the Crusaders in 2025, James O'Connor could be parachuted into the Wallabies outfit to face the Lions.
Having been the starting flyhalf against the Lions in 2013, O'Connor has become well adjusted to managing high pressure situations like a Lions tour.
While many fans have a mixed reaction to his inclusion whenever his name comes up, should Noah Lolesio be excluded, O'Connor will likely be on the list of overseas players of interest for Joe Schmidt.
With Quade Cooper unlikely, Bernard Foley serves as the last realistic overseas option who could be included - having not played international rugby since the Wallabies' 2022 loss to Ireland in Dublin.
Foley has been playing well in Japan for the Kubota Spears, being part of the side that won the League One title in 2023.
While he would be an outside chance of making the squad, Foley could still feature in the AUNZ Invitational Side that takes on the Lions in Adelaide - which warrants his inclusion, as 76 caps of Wallaby experience could prove critical.
