British and Irish Lions tour 2025: Team news, fixtures and venues
Every four years, a British and Irish Lions tour is still seen by many as the peak of professional rugby, with the finest players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland joining forces.
This summer, head coach Andy Farrell will lead the Lions to Australia with the aim of winning a series in the southern hemisphere for the first time in 12 years. The Lions’ last series victory came on their last tour of Australia in 2013. They tied 1-1 (with one draw) against New Zealand in 2017 and lost 2-1 to South Africa in 2021.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has given his backing to Maro Itoje’s bid to be Lions captain, describing his leadership as “absolutely outstanding”. Read more below.
When is the Lions tour of Australia?
The Lions will play a match in Dublin against Argentina on June 20 before travelling to Australia and commencing tour matches on June 28.
The tour will then run throughout July, ending with the third and final Test against Australia on August 2.
How do I watch the 2025 Lions tour?
Sky Sports have exclusive rights to show all Lions matches this summer, with radio coverage of all matches available on TalkSport.
Fixtures: Full schedule
UK times (BST)
Friday, June 20 – 7pm
vs Argentina (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
Saturday, June 28 – 9.45am
vs Western Force (Optus Stadium, Perth)
Tuesday, July 2 – 9.45am
vs Queensland Reds (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Saturday, July 5 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs NSW Waratahs (Allianz Stadium, Sydney)
Wednesday, July 9 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs ACT Brumbies (Gio Stadium, Canberra)
Saturday, July 12 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia & New Zealand Invitational (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Saturday, July 19 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia – First Test (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Tuesday, July 22 – 9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs TBC (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)
Saturday, July 26 –9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia – Second Test (MCG, Melbourne)
Saturday, August 2 –9.45am (6.45pm local time)
vs Australia – Third Test (Accor Stadium, Sydney)
When is the squad announced?
The squad will be officially announced on May 8. Andy Farrell is expected to name between 35 and 40 players. To pick your own squad and see how it compares to the squad picked by our experts, use our dedicated Lions squad selection tool.
England’s ten-try defeat of Wales in the Six Nations is likely to increase their representation on the plane to Australia with fly half Fin Smith, flanker Ben Curry and prop Will Stuart delivering standout performances at the Principality Stadium having come into the Championship as rank outsiders to make the tour. Steve Borthwick, the England coach, is hoping England’s strong finish to the tournament will result in a bumper representation on the tour.
“The next thing for these players is hopefully lots of them will get picked for the Lions,” Borthwick said. “I think the players have created good headaches for Andy. The kind of headaches that you want to have as a coach. Lots of players are putting their hand up and showing a case that they should be on that plane. We as a coaching team talk about – Kevin Sinfield proposed it – that part of our role is to get as many players on that plane as possible. Our job is to help them do that. Hopefully there will be a lot of England players heading Down Under.”
Ollie Lawrence has been ruled out of Lions contention, however, with an injury suffered in England’s victory over Italy during the Six Nations. The Bath centre had been enjoying a fine Six Nations campaign and put himself firmly into contention for a place in the Lions midfield. However, in the eighth minute of England’s 47-24 win, Lawrence collapsed with no Italian player in proximity.
Telegraph Sport understands that the 25-year-old has been diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles, which would entail a six-month lay-off.
Who is in the Lions coaching team?
Andy Farrell leads the Lions for the first time having been an assistant to Warren Gatland on both the 2013 and 2017 tours. Gatland, the current Wales coach, steps aside having taken charge of the last three tours.
Three members of Farrell’s coaching team for the upcoming tour have already been confirmed. Aled Walters, the current head of athletic performance for Ireland and thus a close colleague of Farrell, will play the same role for the Lions this summer.
David Nucifora, a former Australia international, has been named as general manager, performance, while Vinny Hammond, another member of Farrell’s Ireland team and part of both 2017 and 2021 Lions touring parties, will be head of analysis.
Farrell’s further coaching appointments will be made after the 2025 Six Nations.
Who will be Lions captain?
By Daniel Schofield
The Lions captaincy would appear to be a straight shootout between England captain Maro Itoje and Ireland captain Caelan Doris. Following England’s thumping win against Wales in the final round of the Six Nations, Borthwick gave his unequivocal backing to Itoje who would be going on his third Lions tour.
“I think Maro has been absolutely outstanding,” Borhtwick said. “He leads by example every day, and he’s stepped up his game. He’s improved in many areas this campaign and set an example. He’s an experienced player at Test level and Lions level. I’ve got full confidence in Maro’s ability to lead the Lions should Andy ask him.”
What happened on the 2021 tour?
The Lions last toured in 2021, when they were beaten 2-1 by South Africa in a tour that was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 – South Africa
Lost 2-1
2017 – New Zealand
Drew 1-1
2013 – Australia
Won 2-1
2009 – South Africa
Lost 2-1
2005 – New Zealand
Lost 3-0
2001 – Australia
Lost 2-1
1997 – South Africa
Won 2-1
1993 – New Zealand
Lost 2-1
1989 – Australia
Won 2-1
1983 – South Africa
Lost 3-0
1977 – New Zealand
Lost 3-1
1974 – South Africa
Won 3-0
1971 – New Zealand
Won 2-1
1968 – South Africa
Lost 3-0
1966 – New Zealand
Lost 3-0
1962 – South Africa
Won 2-1
1959 – New Zealand
Won 2-1
1955 – South Africa
Lost 2-1
1950 – New Zealand
Lost 4-0
1936 – South Africa
Lost 2-0
1930 – New Zealand
Lost 3-1
1924 – South Africa
Won 2-1
1914 – New Zealand
Lost 3-1
1910 – South Africa
Lost 2-0
1908 – New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand:Lost 3-1 (4-match series)
Australia:Won 2-0 (2-match series)
1904 – South Africa
Lost 2-1 (3-match series)
1888 – New Zealand and Australia
New Zealand:Lost 1-0
Australia:Won 1-0
Topics
-
Farrell looks likely to overlook England coaches for his British Lions staff
Borthwick said backroom team not been approached Coaches set to miss out for second straight Lions tour Andy Farrell looks likely to overlook England’s assistants when selecting his British & ...The Guardian - 1d -
Andy Farrell to take Simon Easterby on Lions tour as part of Irish-dominated coaching team
Andy Farrell is set to appoint Simon Easterby to an Ireland-dominated Lions coaching team, Telegraph Sport understands, with no England assistants likely to make the tour to Australia.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Steve Borthwick is here to stay – but issues need fixing for England to be World Cup contenders
Steve Borthwick, England’s head coach, will have mixed feelings about the almost-imminent British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. He will be pleased that his team’s second place in this year’s ...Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Lions watch: The players who improved – or harmed – their chances during Six Nations
British and Irish Lions selection was a constant talking point throughout the Six Nations Championship. In almost every position there have been at least three or four players who have stood out, ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Jordan plays down Lions talk as he relishes first Six Nations with Scotland
Tom Jordan says he has paid no attention to people tipping him as a possible bolter for Andy Farrell's British and Irish Lions squad, and says playing Six Nations rugby for Scotland was something ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Borthwick backs England players for Lions squad after rout of Wales
Coach believes many have boosted chances for Australia Borthwick says Maro Itoje is potential Lions captain Steve Borthwick believes several of his England players have enhanced their chances of ...The Guardian - 1d -
Women’s Six Nations 2025: Fixtures, how to watch and England’s venues
The Guinness Six Nations signals the start of the pivotal year for the women’s game before England host the Rugby World Cup 2025 in the summer.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
When and where are 2025 men’s golf majors? Venue, locations, dates for Masters, PGA, U.S. Open, British Open
Here are the venues and dates for the 2025 men's professional majors.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
'I have not seen that complete an England performance for years'
In his BBC Sport column, World Cup winner Matt Dawson reflects on England's huge Six Nations win over Wales, their entire Six Nations campaign and why Maro Itoje is a Lions captain in waiting.BBC News - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Celtics Lab 310: On all-female broadcast crews and covering the Celtics with Abby Chin
Don't miss this special episode - and if you have ideas what Abby should use for a signature call (think Gorman's 'Got it!'), be sure to let us know.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Rams lead the NFL in this free agency spending stat for 2025 (so far)
No team in the NFL is paying its 2025 free-agent signings more per year than the Rams, who also rank 8th in total spendingYahoo Sports - 11m -
5 takeaways from Syracuse football's 2025 Pro Day
Justin Barron after Syracuse's 2025 Pro Day Aidan Tseng/The Juice Online-Rivals Syracuse hosted its annual football pro day on Monday. Here are five takeaways from the afternoon. LeQuint Allen ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Deion wants to save college spring game by including an opponent, adding NFL-like joint practices
In a time when programs are rethinking their annual spring football game, Deion Sanders has his own suggestion — bring in another team. Just like the NFL sometimes does before exhibition games. ...Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Broncos tweet thank you message to ex-QB Zach Wilson
The Broncos tweeted a thank you message to QB Zach Wilson after he left to join the Dolphins.Yahoo Sports - 11m
More in Sports
-
Antonio vows to return to football after car crash
West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has insisted he will play professional football again after he recovers from being involved in a near-fatal road traffic collision in December.ESPN - 4m -
Your guide to all 68 teams in the men’s NCAA tournament
The bracket is set, here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 7m -
It's bracket time: Make your picks for the men's tournament
The bracket is set. Here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 7m -
Celtics Lab 310: On all-female broadcast crews and covering the Celtics with Abby Chin
Don't miss this special episode - and if you have ideas what Abby should use for a signature call (think Gorman's 'Got it!'), be sure to let us know.Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Rams lead the NFL in this free agency spending stat for 2025 (so far)
No team in the NFL is paying its 2025 free-agent signings more per year than the Rams, who also rank 8th in total spendingYahoo Sports - 11m