Finn Russell finds grass behind Harry Potter, who fumbles the ball. The Lions go into Australia's 22.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent at Suncorp Stadium

The back row was perhaps the most debated area of Lions selection, but both flankers have made a big early impact.

Tom Curry absolutely melts James Slipper in the tackle before Tadhg Beirne wins the turnover.

Tom Lynagh accelerates through a gap before the ball goes down. The Wallabies again opt to go to the air, which the Lions deal with.

A good start by Lynagh.

Finn Russell bangs it over perfectly. A nice one in front of the posts to settle him.

Image source, Getty Images

Penalty to the Lions as Tadhg Beirne gets over the ball.

Here we go. Time for the rugby as Finn Russell sends the ball into the sky.

Lauren Jenkins
BBC Sport at Suncorp Stadium

From Justin Harrison to George North, a montage of all the greatest Australia v Lions moments is played as the teams arrive in the tunnel.

No national anthem for the Lions, but some Australian players look emotional as they sing.

Image source, Getty Images

Any famous final words have now been said.

"This is your Everest." - Jim Telfer, 1997

"Be special for the rest of your lives." - Sir Ian McGeechan,1997

"We're taking them boys to the hurt arena." Andy Farrell, 2013

The waiting is over. Kick-off is just moments away.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Bailie: Wallabies 10-23 Lions. The first half will be close, second half the Lions will dominate and get the tries needed.

Gray- Ramsgate: 36-12 to the Lions

Hamish, awaiting kick-off avidly: I think it's going to be slightly tilted in the Lions favour, my guess would be 24 - 17 to the Lions.

Mark B: Lions to win by 25 points and the series 3-0. Think this is a decent Lions team against a very average Aussie outfit.

Tom English
BBC Sport at Suncorp Stadium

If you set aside all the hype and hoopla and look at this coldly then the Lions should win this comfortably. They're a good side; dynamic in the backline, explosive and physical up front.

The Wallabies are an ordinary side - world number six - and they're missing two of their heavyweights in Will Skelton and Rob Valetini.

Fire and fury can surely only get them so far. It would be utterly sensational if Joe Schmidt's team won this. It would be a shock to rank with any in the history of the Lions.

Ben O'Keeffe took charge of the Lions’ second Test defeat by South Africa in 2021.

O'Keeffe also refereed the Lions’ opening game on Australian soil against Western Force.

Image source, Getty Images

Tom English
BBC Sport at Suncorp Stadium

Here come the disco lights, What an atmosphere. Lions fans everywhere What a fantastic racket they're making.

If you're a player then you can only be moved by this. These lads are in for some sight when they enter this arena. To get here they've worked like beasts throughout their career. An amazing night for them - if they win.

Tom English
BBC Sport at Suncorp Stadium

Previously, Lions coach Johnny Sexton had called Finn Russell flashy and a media darling. Now? Has the Scot surprised him? "Yeah, he has. In the last couple of years he's really matured as a player.

"You can see it - Bath getting to finals, winning trophies, you can't do that if you're just that kind of mercurial 10. He's got his team over the line and he's won a few trophies and he's carried that form into here."

So, flashy no more? "Oh, he's still flash. He'd hate it if I said 'no'.

Image source, Getty Images

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport

Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh is set to follow in the footsteps of his dad by facing the Lions, but the gulf in experience between the two number 10s this weekend is arguably the bigger story.

The 22-year old will make his first international start at the Suncorp Stadium in place of injured Noah Lolesio, wearing the same number that his father Michael did in the 1989 series.

Lynagh has just an hour of Test rugby under his belt, with his three previous Australia caps coming as a replacement. His opposite number Finn Russell has spent more than four days on the pitch at Test level and the 88-cap Scot recently steered Bath to the Premiership title.

Russell has scored 447 Test-level points – a total only bettered by three players in Scotland’s history. By contrast, Lynagh, who was born in Italy and raised in Richmond, has six to his name.

"I'm really excited for Tom," said Australia head coach Joe Schmidt. "He may not seem like he's designed to run a game and dictate what's happening but he has a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence."

“It's not ideal to be starting your first Test match for the Wallabies against the Lions but if not now, when? You have got to start somewhere."

Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport at Suncorp Stadium

It is incredible the number of Lions fans inside this stadium and they’ve just given a resounding rendition of The Proclaimers and 500 miles.

Aussie fans responding with Land Down Under.

Lions fans win the singing!

Image source, BBC Sport

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport

Not only has Andy Farrell named a powerful and physical looking Lions team for the opening Test, but they are also very experienced, particularly when compared to their Australian hosts.

Farrell’s 23-man squad has amassed 1,189 Test caps – a figure which does include Lions appearances – with 819 caps shared between the starting XV and 370 among the replacements.

By comparison, Australia possesses 641 – a vast 548 fewer than the visitors and a figure that appears even more stark when you consider that 23% of the Wallabies’ tally belongs to one man, veteran loose-head prop James Slipper.

The 36-year old is set to take part in his 145th Test and extend his record as the nation’s leading appearance maker.

Image source, Opta

Jamie Roberts
Former Wales international, speaking on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly

I would have gone Wallabies by one or two but I think those injuries to Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are significant and the Lions will have too much power up front.

Lions to win by five points and win the series 2-1.

And his standout Lion?

He's shown enough form on this tour, I’m going Huw Jones. I think this is the day he becomes one of the great 13s.

Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport at Suncorp Stadium

Sometimes you just don't know who you’ll bump into and where…

In the lift at the Suncorp Stadium heading up to the press box was former Ireland captain Rory Best.

He's predicting a 10-point win for the Lions, or 25-15, when I pushed him for a scoreline.

Ex-Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia joined the Rugby Union Weekly podcast this week and gave his prediction for the Test series.

"I look at that Lions team on paper and I think – what a team," said Genia.

"There are world-class players all across it but I do give us a chance. I think we have some athletes in our team that can really challenge this Lions team and if we can create some time and space for them we can get in the game.

"Whoever wins the first Test will win the series because you gain confidence and rhythm for the remaining games.

"Australia win 2-1. We win the first and third Tests."