Former Lion Alex Cuthbert says that Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams “fully deserve” their selection in Andy Farrell’s 2025 British and Irish Lions touring party.

Speaking in the aftermath of the Lions squad selection, in which Morgan and Williams were the only two Wales players picked, Cuthbert says that “it’s an unbelievable achievement” for the duo.

With Wales on an unprecedented 17-match losing streak, the pair’s excellent individual performances have propelled them into contention when others – such as Dewi Lake and Taulupe Faletau – missed out.

“”It’s an unbelievable achievement for Jac and Tomos,” Cuthbert said exclusively to Sportin Wales.

“Playing for the Lions is an amazing honour, and something that I was lucky enough to experience in 2013. Both players are immensely talented and definitely have the quality to impact the test series against Australia in a big way.”

“They’ve been Wales’ best players in a difficult period for the team. Both sides of the ball, Jac is right up there with the best in the world in the back row.

“Tomos has that extra bit of magic to conjure something out of nothing that you need in those tight, high level contests.”

‘Gutted for the guys who missed out’

A number of talented Wales players missed out on selection, most notably in the forwards, with Lake, Faletau, and Dafydd Jenkins all unlucky not to make the tour.

For Cuthbert, though, Wales’ recent form counted against a number of the squad in those tight 50-50 calls.

“Obviously it’s difficult to take so many Welsh players with the team not winning in this current moment,” the 2013 Lions tourist added.

“Dewi and Taulupe are both unlucky to miss out, as are Dafydd and Nicky Smith in my opinion. I’m gutted for those guys that will have watched the squad be announced and heard bad news.”

No Faletau a ‘mistake’

With Ireland captain and favourite to be the test number eight Caelan Doris suffering a late shoulder injury in Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton, there was a chance that Wales and Lions legend Taulupe Faletau would be selected.

Having had so many recent injury issues himself, Faletau’s inclusion always felt a little unlikely, but Cuthbert maintains that, without his quality and experience, the Lions are diminished slightly.

“Not taking Taulupe is a bit of a mistake in my opinion,” Cuthbert said.

“With Doris injured, you need an experienced player in the back row and Toby has that in spades.

“He’s been on three Lions tours and played test matches in all three. He showed recently that, when fit, he is still one of the best forwards in Europe.”

‘We were hoping for more’

Another Lions tourist, Tom Shanklin, expressed his disappointment that only two Welshmen made Andy Farrell’s squad.

Speaking to Sportin Wales at Cardiff Rugby, where fans were left ruing the lack of Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams in the squad, Shanklin suggested that utility back Blair Murray had a good chance of making the squad.

“I think we were all hoping for more,” Shanklin said.

“Tomos and Jac have been really good performers so it’s good that they’ve been picked. The likes of Blair Murray, Dafydd Jenkins, Taulupe Faletau, and Dewi Lake can count themselves as unlucky not to make the tour.”

Shanklin, who was selected for a Lions tour twice – in 2005 and 2009 – was realistic that only 2 Welsh tourists is a reflection of “where Welsh rugby is at the moment.”

“I don’t think we can argue too much,” Shanklin added.

“We are 17 game without a win and back-to-back wooden spoon ‘winners’. We have to be a bit realistic with how many are going to go.”

Leinster vs Northampton a ‘trail’ match

Perhaps the most surprising omission from the Lions squad announcement was that of Leinster and Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast.

The clip of Henry Pollock – himself called up after scintillating 2025 for Northampton and England – burning the 22-year-old on the outside went viral and sparked debate over his defensive ability.

With Northampton and Leinster accounting for 16 of the 38-strong touring party, both sides are well accounted for. Shanklin believes that Prendergast played himself out of contention for a place with his recent performances.

“Maybe Leinster vs Northampton in the Champions Cup was a trial,” Shanklin pondered.

“Prendergast definitely didn’t have his greatest game, whereas Fin Smith [who was called up], I thought he was absolutely amazing that day.

“Marcus Smith also allows you to go 6-2 on the bench, with his ability to play fullback, so Prendergast was just squeezed out in the flyhalf position.”

Versatility a massive factor in selection

A number of players have been called up due to their ability to play in a number of different positions.

In the forwards, Farrell raised some eyebrows in selecting six locks, but with Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, and Maro Itoje all able to fill in at blindside flanker, the Lions have a very flexible group of back five forwards.

Similarly in the back three, Elliot Daly makes the squad. Capable of playing outside centre as well as wing and fullback, Daly is an excellent option and two-time Lion. Tommy Freeman and James Lowe also have experience in the 13 shirt despite normally starting on the wing for club and country.

Blair Kinghorn and Marcus Smith are also both capable of playing at flyhalf or fullback. Clearly, on a tour with a packed schedule of matches, the versatility of certain players played into their favour.

“Look at Elliot Daly, he’s in the squad because he can cover centre, wing, and 15,” Shanklin explained.

“For Marcus Smith, that versatility has massively counted towards his inclusion.”

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