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 July.
This week sees us turn to the second row, with likely five or six spots available given the make-ups of previous Lions squads, with the competition red hot given the talent blooded in 2024.
Blyth found himself in the Wallabies’ set-up in 2024 but has struggled to lock down a spot in the starting side for the Reds.
It’s a credit to the Reds’ depth as the likes of Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and Ryan Smith have leapt Blyth in the depth chart.
The 27-year-old needs a strong finish to the season to ensure his place for the Lions tour.
Speaking of Reds locks, Canham has arguably been the most consistent in 2025, boding well for his Wallabies hopes.
The former Rebels’ athleticism is a major strength of his game and has been a big factor in the Reds’ push for a finals spot.
However, with just one cap to his name, Canham may find himself as the unlucky man missing out, barring a big finals campaign.
Frost backed up last year’s big year with an excellent showing for the Brumbies.
The lock has played big minutes for the Brumbies and has started every game outside of mandatory rest periods, delivering quality for Stephen Larkham’s side.
Frost owned the loosehead lock position in 2024 and there’s no reason to think he won’t play a big role in Joe Schmidt’s plans for the upcoming season.
Likewise with Frost, Williams was a staple in 2024 and has been a big part of the Force’s season.
Williams and the Force have built one of the best defensive lineouts in club rugby throughout the world.
The lock was one of the first picked in the Wallabies squad last year, expect this to continue into 2025.
Hooper is an intriguing player to fit into the second or back row category but it’s this versatility that sets Hooper apart.
The Brumby has split the time evenly in 2025 between the two but seems settled in the second row for the run home for the ACT side.
Hooper has been one of the best Australians this season in Super Rugby Pacific and is forcing Joe Schmidt’s hand despite his impending move to Exeter.
Swain has been the most improved lock in 2025 after his move west.
He leads the competition for lineout wins comfortably, winning 17 more than the next best, whilst proving a big part of their rolling maul success.
Swain is doing everything right for a Wallabies call-up or at least to feature in the AUNZ invitational game.
Smith is someone who flies under the radar but has been a big part of the Reds in past years.
The lock has found himself as the starter for the majority of the season, besting his Wallabies teammates thanks to his reliable service and production.
With Smith off to Wales at the end of the year, he will be desperate to break through for an elusive gold jersey.
Skelton headlines the overseas options as his repetition precedes himself in Europe.
The lock has been in and out of the Wallabies set-up, starting against Wales and Scotland on the Spring Tour after captaining Australia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Joe Schmidt will be quietly hoping Skelton’s La Rochelle bow out early of the Top 14 finals (should they make them), with the Final a week before the Wallabies’ lone warm-up game against Fiji.
Philip has rocketed back into contention thanks to his impending move from Japan Rugby to the Waratahs.
The former Rebel was a big part of Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones’ set-ups at the start of the 2020s and returns with the World Cup in mind.
The Lions tour may be too soon for Philip, given the depth in the second row, but he is set to play a big role heading forward.
Salakaia-Loto was in excellent form for the Reds before an injury disrupted the end of his season.
The Red has just seven appearances in 2025, last featuring against the Waratahs in Round 13.
Despite the injury, Salakaia-Loto is set to play a big part for the Wallabies in 2025.
