An age-old problem for Farrell and Lions

THIS time next year Andy Farrell will know if he got his selection matrix right for the 2025 Lions series against Australia, because it will either be a triumphal return for the head coach - or the Wallabies springing one of the biggest upsets in sport.

The variables at the moment are unending, mainly because the Autumn internationals and 2025 Six Nations, which will have the biggest bearing on squad selection, are still on the horizon.

The Lions captain and coaching team are also unknown, and the only sure thing is that Farrell's coaching credentials have been burnished brightly this summer by Ireland securing a drawn-away series against South Africa.

It's a good reason right now for Ireland having the lion's share of seats on the plane to Australia, reinforced by the headache they gave the Springboks despite the absence of scrum-half linchpin, and playmaker, Jamison Gibson-Park.

However, the Tests against the world champions in Pretoria and Durban also shone a searchlight on potential pinch-points in Lions selection. Some of what was illuminated is that experienced players intrinsic to Ireland's advance to the top of the world rankings, might be heading over the brow of the hill come next summer.