Scotland Fans Express Outrage Over Lions Selection of Mack Hansen Over Darcy Graham
The 2025 Lions squad has been officially announced by Andy Farrell. It contains a record 15 Irish players, as well as 13 English, 8 Scottish and 2 Welsh players.
The squad announcement has received all kinds of reactions, particularly in relation to Mack Hansen. The Irish wing was included in the final Lions squad, despite being a potential doubt due to suffering an ankle injury in the lead up to today, and not playing his best rugby this season.
The announcement of the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad has ignited a firestorm among Scottish rugby fans, who are voicing their discontent over the selection of Ireland’s Mack Hansen ahead of Scotland’s Darcy Graham.
Scotland fans in particular are not pleased with Hansen’s selection. Some took to social media to voice their frustrations on the Irishman being picked over fellow wing, Darcy Graham, who has been in flying form for both his country and Edinburgh.
Head coach Andy Farrell unveiled the 38-man squad on May 8, featuring 15 Irish players, including Hansen, while Scotland’s representation stands at eight. Notably absent is Darcy Graham, the Edinburgh winger who has been in scintillating form for Scotland.
Graham’s exclusion has been met with widespread criticism. The 27-year-old has been instrumental in Scotland’s recent successes, notably scoring four tries in a single match against Fiji during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series. His dynamic performances have solidified his status as one of the most potent finishers in European rugby.
In contrast, Mack Hansen’s selection has raised eyebrows. While the 27-year-old has been a consistent performer for Ireland, contributing to their Six Nations victories in 2023 and 2024, his recent form has been under scrutiny. Notably, during the 2025 Six Nations, Hansen’s defensive lapses were evident in Ireland’s narrow win over Italy, leading to criticism from rugby pundits.
The debate over Hansen’s inclusion over Graham has intensified, with many questioning the selection criteria. Some argue that Graham’s recent form and consistency should have warranted his inclusion, while others believe Hansen’s experience at the international level provides a strategic advantage.
As the Lions prepare for their tour of Australia, the controversy surrounding the squad selection continues to dominate discussions among rugby enthusiasts, particularly in Scotland. The exclusion of a player of Graham’s caliber has left many fans and experts alike pondering the decision-making process behind the Lions’ selections.
The forthcoming tour will undoubtedly be a significant test for the Lions, and the spotlight will be on the selected players to justify their inclusion and deliver performances that can quell the ongoing debates.
