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Lions 2025
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    Posted: 59 minutes ago at 11:03
For those that are interested in the Lions and following the tour, they are recording a weekly video diary behind the scenes which can be viewed on their YouTube channel. 

There are 4 episodes so far which are an enjoyable watch.
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O'Connor returns to Australia squad to face Lions

[Quote]
Wallabies squad to face British and Irish Lions

Forwards (20): Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Josh Canham, 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, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson

Backs (16): Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Lynagh, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright
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Lions call up Osborne as cover for Kinghorn

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Ireland's Jamie Osborne will join the British and Irish Lions squad as back-up to Blair Kinghorn despite the Scotland full-back receiving "positive news" from a scan on a knee injury.

Kinghorn sustained the injury in Wednesday's win over the ACT Brumbies, stretching the tourists' resources at full-back with Hugo Keenan's game time having been restricted by illness and injury.

Osborne, who is described as "training cover" for Kinghorn, will arrive at the Lions camp on Saturday from Portugal, where he has been training with Ireland.

Kinghorn is recently back from a separate knee injury sustained on club duty for Toulouse.

The Lions said the medical team will "manage his return to training over the coming days".

The Lions play their final pre-series tour game against an Australia/New Zealand invitational side on Saturday, before taking on the Wallabies in the first Test on 19 July.

Toulouse's progress to the Top 14 final delayed Kinghorn's arrival on tour, and he lasted only 24 minutes on his Lions debut against the Brumbies before being replaced.

England's Marcus Smith, whose ability to cover both fly-half and full-back was key to his selection in the squad, has played the most minutes at 15, with Tommy Freeman, Mack Hansen and Huw Jones also able to fill in if the Lions find themselves short.

Lions head coach Andy Farrell gave Osborne the first of his eight Test caps at full-back against South Africa last summer, but the 23-year-old is more used to playing in midfield.

Scotland's Tom Jordan and Wales' Blair Murray might also have entered Farrell's thinking as options to cover for Kinghorn.
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Farrell on bench for final Lions game before Tests

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British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Ryan, Beirne (c), Pollock, Morgan, Earl

Replacements; Kelleher, Porter, Bealham, Cummings, Van der Flier, Mitchell, M Smith, Farrell

AUNZ Invitational: Stevenson; Lam, Laumape, Havili (cc), Koroibete; Edmed, Fakatava; Ross, Paenga-Amosa, Toomaga-Allen, Blyth, Salakaia-Loto, Frizell, Samu, Sotutu.

Replacements: Eklund, Fusitu'a, Dyer, Philip, Brial, Thomas, McLaughlin-Phillips, Campbell
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Originally posted by Raider999 Raider999 wrote:

Originally posted by Steve@Mose Steve@Mose wrote:


Quote
British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen

 

I would say this is very close to being the preferred side for the 1st test

Apart from the absence of Jac Morgan who, in my opinion, has earned a place in the Test Match 23.

Curry works hard and will tackle repeatedly without fail, but on a few occasions (against Argentina and Western Force) two "dominant" tackle attempts were ineffectual, and in the Argentina match this contributed to the Pumas' third try. Brumbies might be Curry's last opportunity to earn a place in the First Test.

VdF appears to blow hot and cold, and like Pollock will need to put in big performance off the bench.

Fingers crossed that no-one gets broken against the Brumbies, and there are no disciplinary issues on the pitch.
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Wallabies first-choice fly-half Lolesio ruled out of Lions series

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Australia's preparations to face the British and Irish Lions have suffered a major setback after first-choice fly-half Noah Lolesio was ruled out of the series.

The 25-year-old was carried off the pitch in the Wallabies' 21-18 win over Fiji on Sunday with an apparent whiplash injury.

He was initially discharged from hospital later that day, raising hopes he would be fit to face the tourists. However, after further check-ups, he had surgery on Tuesday afternoon.

Rugby Australia said Lolesio "will spend a period of time away from the game during his rehabilitation". That absence will span the entirety of the series against the Lions.

Lolesio was left out of Australia's Rugby World Cup squad in 2023 but has since become the Wallabies' go-to fly-half under head coach Joe Schmidt.

He started five of the Wallabies' six Rugby Championship games last year and all four of their autumn internationals in the northern hemisphere.

Ben Donaldson seems most likely to take on the 10 role, with Tom Lynagh - the England-raised 22-year-old son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh - also in the squad named for the Fiji fixture.

Schmidt could call on the experience of Bernard Foley and James O'Connor to bolster his options.

The first Test against the Lions takes place in Brisbane on 19 July, with the second and third Tests being staged on the following weekends in Melbourne and Sydney.

The Fiji fixture was Australia's only warm-up match for the series.
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Originally posted by Steve@Mose Steve@Mose wrote:


Quote
British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen


I would say this is very close to being the preferred side for the 1st test
RAID ON
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Quote
British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen
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Originally posted by cheshire exile cheshire exile wrote:

I suspect that was an attempt at irony.
Though how Farrell can be blamed for the salary cap breaches is beyond me.

Indeed I thought the "titles won without a shadow of scandal" rather gave it away but there you go.

And of course I didn't blame him for the salary cap breaches (he just defended them) but there you go again.

A man of true integrity. (That was irony by the way!)
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Suaalii returns as Wallabies name side for Fiji

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Australia: Wright; Potter, Suaalii, Ikitau, Jorgensen; Lolesio, McDermott; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, Gleeson, McReight, Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Nonggorr, Hooper, Tizzano, White, Donaldson, Daugunu.

Fiji: Rayasi; Ravouvou, Masi, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Muntz, Kuruvoli; Mawi, Ikanivere (capt), Ravai, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Tagitagivalu, Canakaivata, Mata.

Replacements: Matavesi, Hetet, Doge, Vocevoce, Tuisue, Baselala, Ravula, Maqala.
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Originally posted by Paul10 Paul10 wrote:

I suspect he's been brought in because there aren't many backs who have done Lions tours before.

M Smith, Russell, Aki, DVDM I think are the only ones.

Exactly. And of course the last tour wasn’t played in front of spectators; Aki has already talked about the massively higher scrutiny of this tour.
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I suspect he's been brought in because there aren't many backs who have done Lions tours before.

M Smith, Russell, Aki, DVDM I think are the only ones.
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I suspect that was an attempt at irony.
Though how Farrell can be blamed for the salary cap breaches is beyond me.
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Originally posted by JZSmith JZSmith wrote:

This is very unfair on Farrell junior. He brings so much to the party. There's his superb tacking technique perfected by so many visits to tackle school. Then there's his total integrity highlighted by all those The League once known as the The League once known as the Premiership iership iership titles won without a shadow of scandal. What a marvellous ambassador he will be for the Lions! 

Total Integrity!!! Was Farrell junior not the Saracens captain during the salary cap scandal which let to £5 million + fine and effective relegation to the Championship?  
Watch Out - The Scottish Phoenix Club is on the Up!!

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This is very unfair on Farrell junior. He brings so much to the party. There's his superb tacking technique perfected by so many visits to tackle school. Then there's his total integrity highlighted by all those The League once known as the Premiership iership titles won without a shadow of scandal. What a marvellous ambassador he will be for the Lions! 
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Originally posted by Robb Robb wrote:

Originally posted by Steve@Mose Steve@Mose wrote:

Gutted for Daly.


Quote


"Daddy, I want to go on the Lions tour."
"Yes, my son. You can come on the tour. You just need to wait until someone gets injured so I have an excuse to bring you out."

(To be honest, I had a 100% suspicion that exactly this would happen at some point in the tour)
Nepotisms strikes again
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Originally posted by Steve@Mose Steve@Mose wrote:

Gutted for Daly.


Quote


"Daddy, I want to go on the Lions tour."
"Yes, my son. You can come on the tour. You just need to wait until someone gets injured so I have an excuse to bring you out."

(To be honest, I had a 100% suspicion that exactly this would happen at some point in the tour)
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Tadhg Beirne to lead The British & Irish Lions against the Waratahs in Sydney

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Munster Rugby and Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne will captain the side as Maro Itoje gets the evening off after leading the tourists to victory against the Queensland Reds.

Beirne is joined in the second row by fellow Irishman and Leinster Rugby’s James Ryan.

Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland prop Pierre Schoeman, Sale Sharks and England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and Connacht Rugby and Ireland tight-head Finlay Bealham pack down in the front row.

The backrow is made up of Northampton Saints and England’s Henry Pollock at no.6, Leinster and Ireland’s Josh van der Flier at no.7 and Saracens and England’s Ben Earl at No.8.

The backline sees the English duo and Northampton Saints teammates Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith at scrum-half and fly-half, with the Scotland partnership of Glasgow Warriors duo Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in the centres.

Leinster and Ireland’s Hugo Keenan and Toulouse and Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn will make their Lions debuts and are joined in the back three by Connacht and Ireland’s Mack Hansen.

...

Squad Update

The British & Irish Lions can confirm that Saracens and England back Elliot Daly has been ruled out of the rest of the Tour with a fractured forearm.

Daly sustained the injury against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane. His The League once known as the Premiership iership Rugby club and country teammate Owen Farrell has been called up as a replacement and will join the squad in Sydney on Friday evening.

Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell said: “It is heartbreaking for the group that Elliot’s Tour is over. He is a Lions legend who has added so much to the group on and off the field over the past few weeks and over the course of three Tours. Owen will now come in and add to our options and bring his own Lions experience to the group.”

Owen, Lion #780, has been called up to his fourth Tour having made 18 appearances for the Lions across the 2013, 2017 and 20121. The 33-year-old has 112 caps for England and is his country’s record points scorer.

Lions Tour Manager Ieuan Evans said: “To be a three-times tourist like Elliot means you have to be a world-class player over an extended period of time. But not only is Elliot a world-class player, he is also a wonderful Lion who is much-loved by his teammates and our fans. So we all feel for him right now. Both on and off the field, Elliot can be immensely proud of his contribution on this Tour of Australia. He will be sorely missed and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

The British & Irish Lions v NSW Waratahs
Allianz Stadium, Saturday 5th July, 2025, KO: 11:00 BST

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland)

14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/ Ireland) #867

13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #878

12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #863

11. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/ Scotland)

10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/ England) #862

9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/ England) #860

1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/ Scotland) #868

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/ England) #851

3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/ Ireland) #856

4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/ Ireland) #838 (c)

5. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #880

6. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/ England) #865

7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #874

8. Ben Earl (Saracens/ England) #857

Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #873

17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/ England) #859

18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #818

19. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/ Ireland) #871

20. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869

21. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/ Wales) #861

22. Ben White (Toulon/ Scotland)

23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
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Points: 718 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Se7en Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jul 2025 at 10:28
This selection makes very little sense. Owen Farrell is a fly half/inside centre option, but neither of those positions require any extra cover as there are ample quality players in both positions already.

If full back cover is more of a concern with Daly out, why not bring Henry Arundell onboard? A quality winger/full back option capable of cutting through any defence with ball in hand.

Whilst Owen Farell might bring a lot of experience/leadership with his CV, there are plenty of leaders across the backs and forwards in the squad already. Strange choice.
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The only reason to select Farrell in front of Jordan or Murray or Osborne is that he is already in Australia.
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