'Southern hemisphere' Lions deserve their place - Russell

British and Irish Lions players support teammates criticized for their foreign origins by Australia coach Joe Schmidt. The squad includes New Zealand-born Bundee Aki and Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu, who have been key to the team's performance. Despite the scrutiny, players like fly-half Finn Russell emphasize the diverse paths players take to reach their current level. These comments come amid debates on heritage and eligibility in rugby, with concerns raised by former players like Danny Care and Willie John McBride about the changing composition of the squad over the years.