Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki were named in the original Lions squad, and they have now been joined by Finlay Bealham who takes the place of Scotland and Glasgow Warriors tight-head prop Zander Fagerson, who has been ruled out with a calf injury.
The squad headed to Portugal’s Quinta da Lago this week for a six-day training camp before they face Argentina in the 1888 Cup match in Dublin. They then head to Australia for their opening fixture against the Western Force in Perth.
Aki has already played for the Lions, having been named in the squad for the 2021 tour to South Africa and making his test debut in the final test, which South Africa won 19–16.
It is new territory for Hansen and Bealham, it will be extra special for the two Connacht players. Both are Canberra born and will take great pleasure in returning to their homeland as British and Irish Lions, and having the opportunity to play against Australia.
The Lions squad, which is headed by Ireland coach Andy Farrell, also includes Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Johnny Sexton on the coaching ticket, and boasts some 15 Ireland players.
However, several key players are missing the Portugal camp due to the URC and Premiership finals.
Meanwhile Connacht’s Jack Aungier has been called into the Irish squad for the Summer Tour of Georgia and Portugal.
The tighthead prop, having previously featured for Emerging Ireland on the tour to South Africa last autumn, has been called up to replace Bealham for Ireland’s two Test summer tour, and recently trained with the Ireland squad.
