WillStuart

Will Stuart’s selection in The British & Irish Lions squad caps a brilliant 12 months for the English prop.

Having held his own against the Southern Hemisphere’s elite last autumn and performing well in this year’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations, the 28-year-old has his chance to showcase his talents in the famous red jersey.

"I have not really thought about it [Lions selection],” said Stuart during this year’s Six Nations.

“After the last summer I just needed to knuckle down, game by game, and play well. I am just trying to stay along those lines."

Well, the knuckling down and understated hard work has paid off for Stuart, who has been rewarded with his first Lions Tour.

Since making his debut for England in 2020, away at France, he has gone on to collect a half century of caps for his country.

Two of his three international tries came in England’s dramatic 25-25 draw with New Zealand – having been 17-3 down at half time - in November 2022. The feat saw him become the first England prop to score two tries in a Test match.

At U20 level, he won the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship where he featured in the final against Ireland as England triumphed 45-21.

On the domestic front, Stuart has been an important player in the front row for Bath and has helped Johann van Graan’s outfit in their recent Premiership resurgence.

They reached the final in 2024 and have been the standard-setters in 2025, leading the league for much of the season and guaranteeing a home semi-final.