For the first time since 2013 the British & Irish Lions are back in Australia for another crack at our Wallabies. With so much to look forward to, your mates at Joe Fortune have pulled together a handy outlook on everything you can expect over the upcoming winter months.
Wallabies Seek Revenge
The last time the Lions played a series in Australia it won 2–1 in what was a thrilling series of rugby union. The first test was won by the Lions 23–21, the second by the Wallabies 16–15, and then in the decider it was the Lions who prevailed 41–16. It has been 12 years since that defeat and there is renewed hope that this time around our Aussies will avenge that loss.
Schmidt’s Selection
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has announced a 36-player squad for Australia’s upcoming Test match against Fiji. The coach has decided to back the young guns, picking Lolesio, Donaldson and Lynagh at fly-half and omitting James O’Connor. That makes James Slipper the last man standing from the 2013 Lions series, the old warhorse is still going strong and that experience will be crucial in supporting the new players in the squad. Schmidt will then be finalising a 40-player squad for the British and Irish Lions Test series on 11th July 2025.
Wallabies Squad v Fiji
The Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White and Tom Wright.
The Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams and Harry Wilson.
British and Irish Lions Tour 2025 Schedule
Sat June 28th – Western Force v Lions, 7:45pm AEST, Optus Stadium, Perth
Wed July 2nd – Reds v Lions, 7:45pm AEST, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sat July 5th – Waratahs v Lions, 7:45pm AEST, Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wed July 9th – Brumbies v Lions, 7:45pm AEST, GIO Stadium, Canberra
Sat July 12th – AUNZ XV v Lions, 7:45pm AEST, Adelaide Oval
Sat July 19th – Wallabies v Lions (1st Test), 7:45pm AEST, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Tue July 22nd – First Nations & Pasifika XV v Lions, 7:45pm AEST, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Sat July 26th – Wallabies v Lions (2nd Test), 7:45pm AEST, MCG, Melbourne
Sat August 2nd – Wallabies v Lions (3rd Test), 7:45pm AEST, Accor Stadium, Sydney
Fresh Challenges for the Lions
The Lions’ fixtures have a new look and feel this time around as the side will take on an AUNZ Invitational XV featuring players from both Australia and New Zealand. Also, it will face a First Nations & Pasifika XV which is aimed at showcasing Indigenous and Islander talent. That match replaces the planned clash with the Melbourne Rebels, who were disbanded in 2024.
Lions 2013 Results
5th June — Western Force 17–69 British & Irish Lions in Perth
8th June — Queensland Reds 12–22 British & Irish Lions in Brisbane
11th June — Combined Country 0–64 British & Irish Lions in Newcastle
15th June — New South Wales Waratahs 17–47 British & Irish Lions in Sydney
18th June — Brumbies 14–12 British & Irish Lions in Canberra
22nd June — Australia 21–23 British & Irish Lions in Brisbane
25th June — Melbourne Rebels 0–35 British & Irish Lions in Melbourne
29th June — Australia 16–15 British & Irish Lions in Melbourne
6th July — Australia 16–41 British & Irish Lions in Sydney
Where to watch the 2025 Lions tour in Australia
Each match of the British & Irish Lions tour will be live on Stan Sport. All three of the Test matches between the Lions and the Wallabies will be shown free on Channel Nine, where you can also enjoy the Aussies’ Test against Fiji on July 6th.
Leading the Lions
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is the Lions’ boss for the 2025 tour taking over from Kiwi Warren Gatland, who led the last three campaigns. Farrell brings plenty of Lions experience, having been an assistant to Gatland on the 2013 and 2017 tours to Australia and New Zealand. Earlier this year he named Maro Itoje, England’s captain and second row forward, as the captain of the British and Irish Lions.
Wallabies Wobbled
The Wallabies had an up-and-down recent European tour at the back end of 2024, finishing with two wins and two losses from their four matches. They opened the tour in style with a high-scoring 42-37 victory over England at Twickenham, followed by a dominant 52-20 win over Wales, raising hopes of a clean sweep. However, those Grand Slam hopes were dashed with a 27-13 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield. The tour wrapped up with a hard-fought 22-19 defeat to Ireland in Dublin, rounding out a tour that showed plenty of promise but also left room for improvement.
Predictions
Since Eddie Jones’ departure after the catastrophic World Cup 2023 performance the Wallabies have gone through a huge shake up. Kiwi Joe Schmidt was brought in to oversee a transition by bringing in new players and freshening up the team’s approach. One win over Argentina in the 2024 Rugby Championship wasn’t great as the Wallabies finished bottom of the ladder but there were signs that the team was improving. With a couple of wins in Europe later last year it showed the team was heading in the right direction. The Wallabies should be able to win one Test but whether it can win the series might just be a bridge too far for this young team.
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