The British and Irish Lions are set to take on the best of Australia in the 2025 tour with Andy Farrell taking charge of the squad for the first time against Argentina on Friday
The 2025 British and Irish Lions tour has been a tantalising prospect for months. Now the time for talking is almost over and game time is upon us.
Andy Farrell’s squad will face Argentina in Dublin for their first match on Friday night, before jetting off to Australia to challenge the finest rugby talent Down Under. After the game, the Lions will depart for Australia on Sunday, with the inaugural tour match scheduled for Saturday, June 28.
With the 2025 Lions Tour arriving, here’s everything you need to know about the trip to Australia.
What time are the Lions tour matches on TV?
During their stay in Australia, the Lions will compete in nine matches, including a three-match Test series against the Wallabies towards the end of the tour.
All matches commence at 11:00 BST. The only exception is the Friday night encounter in Dublin, which begins at 20:00 BST.
You can catch all the action live and exclusively on Sky Sports. There will also be extensive same-day highlights and analysis of every match. Expert commentary is expected from Warren Gatland and Dan Biggar, while Joe Marler is tipped to be joining the pundit team.
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Full Schedule
Friday, 20 June – Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium).
Saturday, 28 June – Lions v Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium).
Wednesday, 2 July – Lions v Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium).
Saturday, 5 July – Lions v NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium).
Wednesday, 9 July – Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium).
Saturday, 12 July – Lions v Invitational AU and NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval).
What’s the plan if the scores are tied?
One innovation being considered for the latest Lions Tour is the introduction of a golden-point overtime system. Following the finish to the 2017 series, Rugby Australia’s Phil Waugh has put forward the idea to The British and Irish Lions board, eager to prevent another “anti-climax”, a term used by former captain Sam Warburton to describe the drawn series eight years ago.
The British and Irish Lions board continues to deliberate on the suggestion.
Waugh is backing the implementation of the 20-minute red card rule for the series as well, following its effective application in this year’s Six Nations, which allows a team to substitute a player sent off with a red card after 20 minutes.
Full Lions Squad
In early May, head coach Andy Farrell unveiled the 38-player squad jetting off to Australia. Here’s the full roster for the Lions:
Forwards (21)
Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England).
Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland).
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
Ben Earl (Saracens/England).
Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Ireland).
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England).
Maro Itoje (Saracens/England)(C).
Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales).
Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England).
Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland).
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England).
Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
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Backs (17)
Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
Elliot Daly (Saracens/England)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England).
Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland).
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland).
Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland).
James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England).
Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England).
Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland).
Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales).