British & Irish Lions 2025
The British & Irish Lions return in 2025 for a spectacular tour of Australia, reigniting a rivalry steeped in history and passion. Fans across South Africa and beyond will watch as 37 elite players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales unite to form one of the most storied sides in rugby union.
The British and Irish Lions 2025 combines tradition and transformation. It brings together top-tier talent from four rugby-powerhouse nations, all converging under the Lions banner. South African supporters will enjoy familiar rivalries and the chance to compare Springboks with the best of the Northern Hemisphere on equal terms.
The Squad and Their Origins
Andy Farrell, Lions Coach 2025, has named a formidable squad! With England’s powerhouse lock Maro Itoje leading as Lions captain, a rare honour for an Englishman since Martin Johnson in 2001. Joining Itoje are key internationals: Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong, James Ryan and Andrew Porter; Scotland’s Tom Curry, Zander Fagerson (until his injury), Pierre Schoeman; and Wales’ Jac Morgan.
In total, 37 players from the four home unions converged in Dublin for a training camp in Portugal . A setback came when Scotland’s tighthead Zander Fagerson suffered a calf injury; Connacht’s Finlay Bealham replaced him . Also, England’s hookers Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour joined late after domestic finals .
This squad boasts a balanced mix: experienced campaigners like Furlong and Ryan; explosive newcomers like Henry Pollock; and battle-hardened leaders such as Tom Curry and Ellis Genge.
British and Irish Lions Squad
The 2025 British & Irish Lions squad features a hand-picked blend of seasoned internationals and rising stars from England, Ireland, Scotland, as well as Wales. Head coach Andy Farrell has assembled a 38-man touring party that balances experience, power, and creativity. Thus aimed squarely at reclaiming a series win in Australia.
From Maro Itoje’s leadership in the second row to the electric pace of Duhan van der Merwe out wide, this is a side built to challenge the Wallabies across every inch of the field. Below is the full squad, including recent updates and positional breakdowns:
| No. | Name | Position | National Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke Cowan-Dickie | Hooker | England |
| 2 | Rónan Kelleher | Hooker | Ireland |
| 3 | Dan Sheehan | Hooker | Ireland |
| 4 | Finlay Bealham | Prop | Ireland |
| 5 | Tadhg Furlong | Prop | Ireland |
| 6 | Ellis Genge | Prop | England |
| 7 | Andrew Porter | Prop | Ireland |
| 8 | Pierre Schoeman | Prop | Scotland |
| 9 | Will Stuart | Prop | England |
| 10 | Tadhg Beirne | Lock | Ireland |
| 11 | Ollie Chessum | Lock | England |
| 12 | Scott Cummings | Lock | Scotland |
| 13 | Maro Itoje (c) | Lock | England |
| 14 | Joe McCarthy | Lock | Ireland |
| 15 | James Ryan | Lock | Ireland |
| 16 | Jack Conan | No. 8 | Ireland |
| 17 | Tom Curry | Flanker | England |
| 18 | Ben Earl | Flanker | England |
| 19 | Jac Morgan | Flanker | Wales |
| 20 | Henry Pollock | Flanker | England |
| 21 | Josh van der Flier | Flanker | Ireland |
| 22 | Jamison Gibson‑Park | Scrum-half | Ireland |
| 23 | Alex Mitchell | Scrum-half | England |
| 24 | Tomos Williams | Scrum-half | Wales |
| 25 | Fin Smith | Fly-half | England |
| 26 | Marcus Smith | Fly-half | England |
| 27 | Finn Russell | Fly-half | Scotland |
| 28 | Bundee Aki | Centre | Ireland |
| 29 | Huw Jones | Centre | Scotland |
| 30 | Garry Ringrose | Centre | Ireland |
| 31 | Sione Tuipulotu | Centre | Scotland |
| 32 | Tommy Freeman | Wing | England |
| 33 | Mack Hansen | Wing | Ireland |
| 34 | Duhan van der Merwe | Wing | Scotland |
| 35 | Darcy Graham | Wing | Scotland |
| 36 | Elliot Daly | Full-back | England |
| 37 | Stuart Hogg (?) | Full-back | Scotland |
| 38 | Blair Kinghorn* | Full-back | Scotland |
Who Won the Last Lions Tour?
The 2021 tour to South Africa saw the Lions narrowly lose the Test series 2–1 to the Springboks in a fiercely contested battle. It was a campaign marked by grit, controversy over player welfare, and the Springboks’ brutal physical style. However, the Lions rebounded to claim one Test victory, reaffirming their signature resilience.
Before 2021, the Lions enjoyed success too: they drew in 2017 in New Zealand and won the 2013 series in Australia. Overall, their rivalry with Southern Hemisphere giants features iconic moments, making each tour an enduring spectacle.
Fixtures, Opponents & Venues
The British and Irish Lions 2025 tour launches with a home fixture:
- 20 June: Lions vs Argentina @ Aviva Stadium, Dublin .
Then the Australian leg unfolds over six warm-up matches and three Tests, herewith the 2025 Lions tour schedule. :
- 28 June: Western Force @ Optus Stadium, Perth
- 2 July: Queensland Reds @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- 5 July: NSW Waratahs @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- 9 July: ACT Brumbies @ GIO Stadium, Canberra
- 12 July: Invitational Australia & New Zealand XV @ Adelaide Oval
- 19 July: 1st Test vs Australia @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- 22 July: First Nations & Pasifika XV @ Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
- 26 July: 2nd Test @ Melbourne Cricket Ground
- 2 August: 3rd Test @ Accor Stadium, Sydney
The Lions rugby series takes place across iconic venues: Suncorp, MCG, and Accor Stadium. Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra all will host massive “Sea of Red” crowds .
Rugby Fans Should Bookmark This Tournament
Rugby fans should follow this tour for several compelling reasons:
- Cross‑hemisphere drama: The clash between Lions tour intensity and Wallabies flair makes every match unpredictable.
- Unique matchups: The warm-up games pit the Lions against a variety of styles. From Western Force’s grit to the Invitational XV’s flair, offering tactical insight.
- Test stakes: An all-important Test series sees the Lions aiming to regain dominance, while the Wallabies, under coach Joe Schmidt, chase redemption.
- Star power: Watch elite talents like Itoje, Furlong, Curry, and breakout talents like Pollock.
- Legacy and tradition: Every Lions tour stirs rugby lore, sparks debate, and sets legacies that echo for decades.
Whether you’re drawn to dynastic legacies, team evolution, or national pride, 2025 delivers on all fronts.
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Bring on the Lions Tour!
The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia presents a rich tapestry of rugby culture, competition, and excitement. Therefore with a star-heavy Northern Hemisphere squad facing a resurgent Wallabies, every fixture from warm-ups to Test deciders matters. Seasons and rivalries converge in a tournament that offers drama, skill, and history.
South African fans should tune in not only for dazzling rugby but also as an opportunity to evaluate betting markets and platforms. With trusted bookmakers like Betway, Hollywoodbets, and Supabets offering robust rugby offerings, the tour becomes even more engaging. This is an unmissable moment for rugby lovers. Therefore tune in, cheer, pundit, and maybe place that winning wager.
