Every four years, rugby fans across the globe are treated to one of the sport’s most unique and storied traditions: the British & Irish Lions tour.
In 2025, the Lions are heading Down Under to take on Australia, promising weeks of thrilling rugby, fierce competition, and a celebration of unity among players from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Whether you’re a seasoned Lions enthusiast or a newcomer to the spectacle, here’s your friendly, comprehensive guide to the 2025 Lions tour.
What Is the British & Irish Lions Tour?
The British & Irish Lions is a composite team made up of the best players from the four home nations: England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Since their first tour in 1888, the Lions have taken on the might of the southern hemisphere, primarily Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, with occasional matches against other nations like Argentina and Japan.
The Lions tour is not just about rugby; it’s about camaraderie, tradition, and the rare chance for fierce rivals to become teammates in pursuit of sporting glory.
When and Where Is the 2025 Tour?
The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour runs from 20 June to 2 August 2025.
This year’s adventure begins with a historic warm-up match against Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium – the first time the Lions have ever played in Ireland – before the squad jets off to Australia for the main event.
Key Dates and Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 20 June | Argentina | Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
| 28 June | Western Force | Optus Stadium, Perth |
| 2 July | Queensland Reds | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| 5 July | NSW Waratahs | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
| 9 July | ACT Brumbies | GIO Stadium, Canberra |
| 12 July | Invitational Australia & New Zealand | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| 19 July | Australia (1st Test) | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| 22 July | First Nations & Pasifika XV | Marvel Stadium, Melbourne |
| 26 July | Australia (2nd Test) | MCG, Melbourne |
| 2 August | Australia (3rd Test) | Accor Stadium, Sydney |
The tour features ten matches, including three crucial Test matches against the Wallabies (Australia’s national team), as well as games against Australia’s leading Super Rugby franchises and two special invitational sides.
Lions Tour 2025 Odds & Predictions
The British & Irish Lions are favourites to win the 2025 series against Australia, with most bookmakers offering odds around 4/9 on for a Lions series victory, while Australia are priced at approximately 7/4.
The odds for a drawn series are much longer, ranging anywhere from 20/1 to 25/1.
These odds reflect both the Lions’ strong squad and Australia’s current world ranking, which is lower than those of Ireland, Scotland, and England.
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As always, odds can fluctuate as the tour approaches and the starting 15 are finalised.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| British & Irish Lions | 4/9 |
| Australia | 7/4 |
| Draw | 25/1 |
Who’s in Charge? Meet the Manager and Coaching Team
Andy Farrell, currently on sabbatical from his role as Ireland head coach, leads the Lions in 2025.
Farrell is no stranger to Lions tours, having previously served as defence coach on the successful 2013 and 2017 tours.
His coaching team features familiar faces from the Irish setup, including Simon Easterby (defence), John Fogarty (scrum), and Andrew Goodman (backs), as well as Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel and England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth.
Legendary Irish fly-half Johnny Sexton joins as part of the backroom staff, bringing a wealth of experience and insight.
The 2025 Squad: Who’s Wearing Red?
Andy Farrell has selected a 38-player squad representing all four home nations:
- England: 13 players
- Ireland: 15 players
- Scotland: 8 players
- Wales: 2 players
Maro Itoje (England) has been named captain, becoming the first Englishman to lead the Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001.
The squad is a blend of seasoned internationals and exciting new talent, with 21 forwards and 17 backs making the trip.
The Squad
| Name | Country | Usual Position |
|---|---|---|
| Tadhg Beirne | Ireland | Lock/Blindside Flanker |
| Ollie Chessum | England | Lock/Flanker |
| Jack Conan | Ireland | Number 8 |
| Luke Cowan-Dickie | England | Hooker |
| Scott Cummings | Scotland | Lock |
| Tom Curry | England | Flanker |
| Ben Earl | England | Number 8/Flanker |
| Zander Fagerson | Scotland | Tighthead Prop |
| Tadhg Furlong | Ireland | Tighthead Prop |
| Ellis Genge | England | Loosehead Prop |
| Maro Itoje (c) | England | Lock |
| Ronan Kelleher | Ireland | Hooker |
| Joe McCarthy | Ireland | Lock |
| Jac Morgan | Wales | Flanker |
| Henry Pollock | England | Flanker |
| Andrew Porter | Ireland | Loosehead Prop |
| James Ryan | Ireland | Lock |
| Pierre Schoeman | Scotland | Loosehead Prop |
| Dan Sheehan | Ireland | Hooker |
| Will Stuart | England | Tighthead Prop |
| Josh van der Flier | Ireland | Flanker |
| Bundee Aki | Ireland | Centre |
| Elliot Daly | England | Centre/Wing/Fullback |
| Tommy Freeman | England | Wing/Fullback |
| Jamison Gibson-Park | Ireland | Scrum-half |
| Mack Hansen | Ireland | Wing |
| Huw Jones | Scotland | Centre |
| Hugo Keenan | Ireland | Fullback |
| Blair Kinghorn | Scotland | Fullback/Wing |
| James Lowe | Ireland | Wing |
| Alex Mitchell | England | Scrum-half |
| Garry Ringrose | Ireland | Centre |
| Finn Russell | Scotland | Fly-half |
| Fin Smith | England | Fly-half |
| Marcus Smith | England | Fly-half |
| Sione Tuipulotu | Scotland | Centre |
| Duhan van der Merwe | Scotland | Wing |
| Tomos Williams | Wales | Scrum-half |
This diverse selection highlights the best of northern hemisphere rugby, with players from clubs across the four nations.
Who Are the Lions Playing?
The Lions’ 2025 itinerary is packed with variety:
- Test Matches: Three against the Wallabies (Australia’s national team)
- Super Rugby Sides: Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies
- Invitational Sides: Australia & New Zealand XV—a unique blend of southern hemisphere talent
- First Nations & Pasifika XV: celebrating indigenous and Pacific Islander heritage
The tour’s structure gives the Lions a chance to test combinations, build team spirit, and face a range of playing styles before the all-important Test series.
How Is the Tour Won?
The main prize is victory in the three-match Test series against Australia. The team that wins two or more of these matches is declared the series winner.
The other matches, while fiercely contested, serve as preparation and a chance for squad members to stake a claim for Test selection.
Lions vs. Australia: Head-to-Head
The Lions have a strong historical record against Australia:
- Series Played: 9
- Series Won by Lions: 7
- Series Won by Australia: 2
The most recent victory came in 2013, when the Lions won the series 2-1, clinching the decider in Sydney with a memorable 41-16 win.
The Most Successful Lions Tour Manager
Sir Ian McGeechan stands out as the most successful and influential Lions manager.
He has led the Lions on four tours as head coach (1989, 1993, 1997, 2009), winning two series (1989 in Australia and 1997 in South Africa).
Including his time as a player and assistant, McGeechan has been involved in seven tours, more than anyone else in Lions history.
Warren Gatland is another modern great, leading the Lions to a series win in Australia (2013), a drawn series in New Zealand (2017), and a hard-fought campaign in South Africa (2021).
A Brief History of the Lions
The Lions’ story began in 1888, with a group of British players touring Australia and New Zealand.
Over the decades, the Lions have evolved from a band of adventurers to a professional, world-class team.
The tours have produced legendary moments:
- The 1971 series win in New Zealand, still the Lions’ only triumph there
- The unbeaten 1974 tour of South Africa, known as the “Invincibles”
- The dramatic 1997 victory in South Africa, immortalized in the documentary “Living with Lions”
- The 2013 win in Australia, ending a 16-year wait for a series victory
The Lions have played over 650 matches, winning about 75% overall, but it’s the Test series that capture the imagination and define legacies.
Why Is the Lions Tour So Special?
The Lions tour is a rare sporting phenomenon. Every four years, players who are fierce rivals at club and international level join forces, don the famous red jersey, and represent four nations as one.
The tour is a test of adaptability, team spirit, and rugby skill—plus, it’s a festival for fans, with thousands traveling to support the team and millions more watching around the world.
Fun Facts
Record Try-Scorer: Tony O’Reilly (Ireland) with 38 tries
Record Points-Scorer: Andy Irvine (Scotland) with 288 points
Biggest Test Win: 31-0 vs. Australia, Brisbane, 1966
In Summary
The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour promises classic rugby drama, new heroes, and unforgettable moments.
With Andy Farrell at the helm, Maro Itoje leading a squad packed with talent, and a challenging itinerary in Australia, the stage is set for another epic chapter in Lions history.
Whether the Lions can add to their proud record against the Wallabies remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: the tour will be a celebration of rugby’s enduring spirit and the power of unity.
So, mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready to cheer on the Lions!
