British & Irish Lions news: 2025 Australia tour - Analysis and warm-up games preview
With the beginning of the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia just over two weeks away, all the hype is building around the challenging Test matches against Joe Schmidt’s charges.
But who else will Andy Farrell’s men go up against in the lead up to the three premier matches against the Wallabies?
Sports News Blitz’s rugby union writer Jacob Garrett elaborates on the tour further.
Experimental selections
As both head coaches are set to put forward more experimental team selections, this will allow every player in the squad a chance to don the iconic red shirt.
Additionally, combined with a game plan currently in the early stages of implementation, however, these pre-Test matches tend to see reliance on individual ability and team flair, which will add another layer of tactical depth and opportunity for Farrell going into the main Test matches.
Often the players not expected to be involved in the test side put their hands up and force their way into first-team contention come the three marquee games.
A key example of this would be Lions captain Maro Itoje.
In the 2017 tour of New Zealand, being the youngest member of the squad, the very talented Englishman was nowhere near a test match against the All Blacks.
But after incredible performances in the lead up fixtures, he found himself starting in the second row alongside fellow Englishman and international-level stalwart lock Joe Launchbury.
Furthermore, the games leading up to the main Test matches will provide some of the best viewing from an all-action point of view.
So, who are the Lions up against during their warm-up fixtures, and which of the fringe players may put their hands up come July 19?
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Argentina - June 20
The first match for this Lions team is a battle against the ever-hostile and always dangerous Los Pumas team.
Set to take place in Dublin - this fixture presents intriguing talking points that will make it a must-watch.
With the English Premiership and URC finals occurring only six days before this game, the team could represent a mixed-up 23-man squad.
With Leicester Tigers, Bristol Bears, Bath, and Sale Sharks all in the final four of the Premiership, along with Leinster and Glasgow Warriors in the URC semi-finals - these respective sides with Lions representation may miss both the camp for this fixture and the fixture itself.
This leads to a side that will not include many of the Lions’ premier players, namely Scotland’s Finn Russell, England’s Tom Curry, Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park, and Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu.
Therefore, Farrell will likely pick a side with some really exciting fringe talent that will be vying for that Test match berth.
The likes of Fin Smith, Jac Morgan, Duhan Van Der Merwe and Bundee Aki top the list of exciting players who will be competing against their quality counterparts not involved in Dublin.
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Western Force - June 28
The Lions begin their trip to The Land Down Under with matches against the Australian Super Rugby teams, touring all the major states.
They begin this tour in Western Australia, Perth - up against the Western Force at Optus Stadium.
The Western Force were the worst performing team of the Australian sides in Super Rugby, coming ninth in the table.
Although the Perth-based side have some real talent in their ranks, including work-horse Carlo Tizzano, who has already sent shots to 20-year-old star Henry Pollock, after copying the Saint’s ‘pulse check’ celebration.
With July being Perth’s wettest month, the conditions could make for an interesting watch, and possibly more of a war of attrition rather than a free-flowing try-fest many would want.
But these sorts of games are a chance for test outsiders to earn their way into the test squad with a hard-working or clutch performance.
Keep an eye out for the returning stars from their respective leagues’ playoffs, especially with the mass reintroduction of Leinster’s Irish players.
Queensland Reds - July 2
Ending fifth in Super Rugby - the Queensland Reds have had a very solid season, five points ahead of the quality Auckland-based Blues.
Harry Wilson (back-row), Tate McDermott (scrum-half), and Tom Lynagh (fly-half) will be three players to keep an eye out for in this game.
Many may recognise the name ‘Lynagh’ as he is the son of iconic Wallaby Michael Lynagh. Much like his father, the 20-year-old’s game presents a keen kicking ability and the talent to control a match.
Coming from Harlequin’s academy, it could present an interesting matchup with Marcus Smith if he lines up directly against him at fly-half or in the 15-shirt.
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NSW Waratahs - July 5
Farrell’s side then heads off to the Sydney-based side. After an up-and-down Super Rugby season, the Waratahs will look to present a solid challenge for the Lions.
After scoring some outrageous tries throughout the season, Teddy Wilson’s try in particular at home against the table-toppers Chiefs would indicate that the Waratahs can create something out of nothing through individual talent.
With all the Wallabies likely to be in camp, the likes of Joseph Sua'ali'i and Angus Bell will likely not be taking the field, but there is never a shortage of talent in New South Wales, so the game will be no walkover for the Lions.
ACT Brumbies - July 9
Just four days after facing the Waratahs, Farrell’s squad ventures to the capital to take on the biggest test out of the Super Rugby teams, the Brumbies.
Finishing third in the league, the Brumbies have an abundance of Wallabies stars - from captain Rob Valetini to Len Ikitau and Tom Wright; there is no shortage of quality in Canberra.
Being the penultimate fixture before the Tests begin, the Lions squad should be shaping up nicely along with their play style fully implemented.
With the bolters to the Test squad having limited time to impress come July 9, you should expect some quality performances from some outside names.
AUNZ XV (Australia & New Zealand XV) - July 12
The most exciting of these warm-up games comes in the form of an invitational side composed of Wallabies and All Blacks players, taking place in Adelaide.
The side will likely consist of internationals who are unavailable to their current national side due to strict rulings around playing outside of Super Rugby.
Plenty of quality players are operating outside of these guidelines, including: Ritchie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane, who are all plying their trade in Japan.
Another promising prospect to keep an eye out for is Joseph Manu, the Sydney Roosters and NRL star, who may make a mouth-watering move over to rugby union, much like ex-teammate Joseph Sua'ali'i.
There would not be a better start to rugby union life for the league star than playing alongside some real icons of the Southern Hemisphere game.
This will be the final game before the Lions take on Schmidt’s side, so expect to see a much more connected Test team with key personnel in place.
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Players to watch
The whole 38-man squad is up for debate and anyone can earn their way into the final 23.
The back row is the most competitive part of the forward pack, with plenty of names to keep an eye on such as Henry Pollock, Jac Morgan, and Ben Earl.
These three highly talented back-rowers could all stake a claim for starting in either of the flanker positions or in the number-eight shirt.
In terms of the backline, both fly-half and centre positions have real battles on their hands, with both of England's Smiths up against the mercurial Russell.
They will have to play out of their skin when given the opportunity, much like Marcus Smith did in South Africa when given the chance against the DHL Stormers.
Regarding the centres - any of them could easily start, therefore, these warm-up games are vital for inside-centres Tuipulotu and Aki, and to the outside of them, Garry Ringrose and Huw Jones.
With plenty of action to look forward to, all the enticing matchups to come are bound to be as exhilarant and historical as what we hope they will be.
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