Australia vs British & Irish Lions Preview & Prediction | 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour | Game I
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The much-anticipated three-game series begins as the British & Irish Lions take on Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – CBS
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – CBS digital platformd
Australia team news
Squad: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon; 1 James Slipper, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c)
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway
British & Irish Lions team news
Squad: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Bundee Aki
Australia vs British & Irish Lions prediction
Although Australia are not enjoying their strongest period of rugby right now, there has been some improvement under Joe Schmidt and there is a growing sense of cohesion in the Wallabies camp.
The Aussies have played just one warm-up match in preparation for this three-game series against the Lions, claiming a last-gasp win over Fiji in Newcastle (New South Wales) just under two weeks ago.
The Lions, on the other hand have won five straight warm-up matches since arriving Down Under, defeating four Super Rugby Pacific sides before thrashing an invitational Australian and New Zealand side 48-0 last week.
After a loss to Argentina in Dublin to begin their preparations, the Lions have well and truly found their groove now and are full of confidence heading into this first Test in Brisbane.
The British and Irish contingent were already considered favourites but with Australia missing key players Will Skelton and Rob Valetini through injury, the task looks even greater now for the hosts.
Expect the match-sharp Lions to deliver a statement win in this series opener.
Australia vs British & Irish Lions tip: British & Irish Lions to win with -10 handicap
