Ireland players dominate fan-poll Lions XV

Irish stars set to make up bulk of team

Andy Farrell is set to announce his official squad today ahead of the tour to Australia, and RugbyPass released a poll for 2.2 millions followers to pick their own players for positions in the final XV.

The nine Irish players that were selected include Andrew Porter at loosehead, alongside Dan Sheehan at hooker and Tadgh Furlong at tighthead.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris took the No 8 spot, but is not expected to feature in the squad due to a serious shoulder injury which could sideline him for six months.

Tadhg Beirne was picked at second row, with Josh Van Der Flier at openside flanker, Bundee Aki at inside centre and James Lowe on the right wing.

The most votes were received by an Irish star as well, with Jamison Gibson-Park the people’s choice for scrum half.

The fans are keen to see a half-back pair of Gibson-Park and Finn Russell, who was selected at out-half, and it is something the Leinster scrum half has said he’s also keen on.

Earlier in the year, Gibson-Park told RugbyPass' Patrick McCarry: “Finn is just awesome.

“…it would be great to link up with someone like Finn, and players of his calibre.”

Other stars picked by the fans were England skipper Maro Itoje, who is set to captain the squad according to the Telegraph, in the second row.

Welsh Captain Jac Morgan was selected at blindside flanker, with Huw Jones included at outside centre, and his Scotland teammate, Duhan Van der Merwe, filling the left wing spot.