British and Irish Lions tour 2025: Team news, fixtures and venues

Maro Itoje — England’s improvement under Itoje makes him a candidate for Lions captain - Getty Images/Michael Steele

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.

The Lions will face a First Nations and Pasifika XV in their last midweek match of the 2025 tour, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Set for July 22, the match had been due to be against Melbourne Rebels until the Super Rugby franchise disbanded last year. That space has now been filled by another invitational side that will feature players with indigenous Australian and Pacific Islands heritage.

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 First Nations and Pasifika XV (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?

Lions head coach Andy Farrell — Andy Farrell will lead the British and Irish Lions to Australia this summer - PA Wire/Yui Mok

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.

Four 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. And England’s senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth has been rewarded with a late call-up. His role in the set-up is yet to be announced.

New Zealand:Lost 1-0
Australia:Won 1-0

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