With the British & Irish squad announced, 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 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Watch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Continuing our series, Rugby.com.au breaks down each position, leading up to the announcement in July.
This week sees us turn to hooker, with between two-four spots available given the make-ups of previous Lions sqauds - and it is set to be one of the most competitive positions in green and gold.
The young Queensland hooker was one of the standouts in 2024, putting aside the 2023 World Cup disappointment to feature in nearly every Test match under Joe Schmidt.
Injuries in 2025 have hampered Faessler's game time, but when he has taken the field, he looks just as strong as his form from last year.
With two tries in the six games he's played this season, a reliable pair of hands at set piece, and an underrated ball carrier, he will likely be included in the squad if fit.
The reliable running mate of Faessler at the Reds, Josh Nasser, had a breakout 2024 following his debut against Wales in Melbourne.
Nasser has slid down the pecking order due to similar injury issues in 2025, but some strong showings off the bench have shown his capabilities as a finisher are still strong.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa has had a wild ride for the Wallabies since debuting in 2018.
A passionate member of the squad, a stint at Montpellier has worked wonders for BPA's maturity, and was reflected in a strong showing on the end-of-year tour in gold, and in 2025 at the Force.
An efficient runner of the lineout, the only thing stopping his inclusion at this point is a recurring ankle injury.
When it comes to stocks rising in the current setup, Billy Pollard has been head and shoulders above the rest.
Featuring in all but one Brumbies match, Pollard has been on fire, with eight tries scored so far this season, and 12 defenders beaten in hit-ups.
While spots will be slim on the hooker front and there are many contenders - come squad naming Pollard is likely to be one of the players included.
It's been a long road back for Lachlan Lonergan following his horrific leg injury in 2024, but the Brumbies' hooker has been building nicely since featuring in the Australia XV tour late last year.
Working as an effective finisher has proven effective for both his own form and the Brumbies in 2025 - and looks close to be returning to the form that saw him selected in 2021 and 2022 for the Wallabies.
Of all the contenders and bolters for the Wallaby squad, Nic Dolly might one of the most likely to break into the squad.
This former England international has one of the great finds of 2025 so far, and his extension to the end of 2028 with the Force only adds to his commitment to make his Wallaby debut.
Even with Tom Horton and Paenga-Amosa in competition, Dolly has excelled at the Force, playing in nearly every match and helping turn their lineout into one of the most dangerous in the competition.
With five tries currently to his name, he has also completed a mammoth 119 tackles so far this season.
The former Wallaby captain is a welcome sight back in sky blue since the return from his Achilles injury, but it has been a spluttering return - and he has a lot of work to do to climb back up the pecking order.
While the Waratahs' finals hopes hang by a thread, Porecki starting the last two games for the Tahs is critical, consistent game time he needs to impress Joe Schmidt enough to be considered.
The leader of the Aussie hookers overseas, Folau Fainga'a has shown a lot of potential playing at Clermont in France.
It would be a risk to bring in the 28-capped Wallaby into the squad seeing as he hasn't featured in the side since 2022, three coaches ago. However, like Paenga-Amosa before, time overseas may have proven beneficial.
The last contender is a wildcard out of nowhere - and with the first two hooker options injured for most of the season, 29-year-old Richie Asiata has made the most of his opportunity.
Playing nine games and scoring seven tries for his efforts, Asiata has also proven a strong ball runner in traffic.
He would be a late bolter into the squad - but if Faessler and Nasser both end up missing out due to injury, Asiata would be a real chance to make it if his form continues.
