British & Irish Lions

Latest updates

  1. 'The Wallabies defensively have been so passive'published at 16:14 BST 26 July

    Hugo Keenan scoring a try Image source, Getty Images

    Matt Dawson, 1997, 2001 & 2005 Lions tourist, on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's a rugby IQ thing, watch that [Hugo Keenan] try back and how many Wallabies players cluster around that ruck?

    "You could throw a towel over six of them, which gives the space for Keenan.

    "The Wallabies defensively have been so passive in this series. They have been absorb, absorb, absorb and no-one gets over that ball."

  2. Match stats from the second Testpublished at 16:05 BST 26 July

    Here are some of the statistics from a pulsating game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

    The Lions fought back from 23-5 behind to win 29-26 and secure a series win.

    Match stats from the second Lions Test match
  3. Full-time celebrations published at 15:25 BST 26 July

    Hugo Keenan of British & Irish Lions is held aloft by Mack Hansen, left, and Jamie GeorgeImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Winning try-scorer winner Hugo Keenan is held aloft by Mack Hansen, left, and Jamie George

    Head coach Andy Farrell was all smiles after his side claim a series win against Australia in the second TestImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Head coach Andy Farrell was all smiles after his side claimed a series win against Australia in the second Test

    Jac Morgan celebrates victory with supporters.Image source, Getty Images
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    Jac Morgan, the only Wales international remaining in the Lions squad, celebrates victory with supporters

    The Lions clinched the series with a 29-26 victory over Australia in front of a record Lions crowd of 90,307 at the MCGImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Lions clinched the series with a 29-26 victory over Australia in front of a record Lions crowd of 90,307 at the MCG

    Players at full-time. They seek to claim a series clean sweep next week.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Lions players celebrate at full-time - they will seek a series clean sweep in Sydney on 2 August

  4. How Lions overcame Australia first-half strength to win seriespublished at 15:18 BST 26 July

    Media caption,

    Mark Benstead is joined by BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones and three-time Lions tourist Matt Dawson live from Melbourne Cricket Ground, along with former England wing Chris Ashton, to discuss the Lions' mementous series win in Australia.

  5. Lions clinch series win in Australiapublished at 15:15 BST 26 July

    Saturday's incredible comeback victory in Melbourne secured a series win for the British and Irish Lions over Australia.

    Can they make it a 3-0 clean sweep in Sydney?

    Australia v Lions 2025 series results
  6. The Lions' starting XV in Melbournepublished at 16:59 BST 25 July

    The second Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions is getting ever closer.

    Kick-off is at 11:00 BST on Saturday and here are all the details you need to know as the Lions attempt to clinch the three-match series.

    Here is a reminder of the Lions' starting XV that will take to the field in Melbourne...

    Lions starting XV line-up graphic for second Test
  7. 'We know what is coming'published at 16:14 BST 25 July

    Harry WilsonImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Wilson captained the Wallabies for the first time in September 2024 and, after a delay in confirmation from head coach Joe Schmidt, took leadership of the team for the Lions series

    Australia captain Harry Wilson says his team will be better for the experience of their first Test defeat in Brisbane when they face the British and Irish Lions again in Melbourne on Saturday.

    "For a lot of us, it was our first time ever playing the British and Irish Lions and there was a lot of unknown, whereas this week we know what's coming," he said.

    The Wallabies' defeat in the series opener means they must win to keep the contest alive. However, Wilson believes that the pressure cuts both ways.

    "I'd say there's pressure on both teams," he added.

    "They want to wrap up the series and we want to keep the series alive. There's no doubting there's a lot on the line for both teams.

    "We want to impose ourselves physically. We want to back our skills and we want to go out there and start fast."

  8. What's happened on tour since the first Test?published at 15:18 BST 25 July

    The British and Irish Lions have been busy since their victory over Australia in the first Test in Brisbane on 19 July...

    Owen Farrell running Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Owen Farrell captained the Lions to a victory over First Nations and Pasifika on Tuesday

    Darcy Graham scoring a tryImage source, Getty Images
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    Darcy Graham scored early on his Lions debut before an injury ended his short tour

    Lions train in MelbourneImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    The Lions arrived in Melbourne for the second Test

    Maro Itoje and Andy Farrell at news conferenceImage source, Getty Images
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    Andy Farrell named his team for the second Test on Thursday

    Andy Farrell and Ellis Genge walking out at Melbourne Cricket GroundImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    On Friday, the players at arrived at Melbourne Cricket Ground to check out the venue for the second Test

    Ben Earl hits a cricket shot at Melbourne Cricket GroundImage source, Getty Images
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    And it would have been rude not to have played cricket at the MCG - Ben Earl was among those to unleash their inner Ben Stokes during the Lions' visit

  9. 🎧 Can Lions seal series or will Wallabies force decider?published at 12:00 BST 25 July

    Rugby Union Weekly podcast promo image

    A new episode of the Rugby Union Weekly podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.

    Can Australia bounce back at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground to level the Test series on Saturday? Or will the Lions clinch a second successive series down under?

    With nine Irishmen in Andy Farrell's team, BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones gets the Irish perspective on the second Test with Murray Kinsella from The 42.

    Lions assistant coach John Fogarty speaks about the significance of playing at Australia's most iconic sporting venue and what legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson said to the players when handing them with their jerseys.

    Nick Stiles, one of the winning Wallabies from the 2001 Lions series, gives his view on Australian rugby and how he would make them competitive again.

  10. 'Desperate Wallabies muscle up'published at 09:39 BST 25 July

    Daily Telegraph back pageImage source, Daily Telegraph

    The Daily Telegraph in Australia focuses on the Wallabies' "big boppers" returning for the second Test against the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

    Lock Will Skelton and flanker Rob Valetini are back in Joe Schmidt's starting XV after missing the first Test, bringing some much-needed power.

    Number eight Pete Samu, a 'big bopper' in his own right, has also spoken out after being prevented from appearing for the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.

    The 33-year-old, who won the Champions Cup with French club Bordeaux in May and has 33 caps for Australia, was initially named in the squad of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage.

    However, he was removed after it was determined that he did not meet the eligibility criteria, which require players to have played for a Super Rugby Pacific team in 2025.

    "I was quite confused and just disappointed because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was being played in my home state," Samu said.

    "Obviously, not being able to represent my Samoan side was quite sad."

    Daily Telegraph back pageImage source, Daily Telegraph
  11. Johnson's message to series-seeking Lionspublished at 07:19 BST 25 July

    Chris Jones
    Rugby union Correspondent in Melbourne

    Media caption,

    What a stage, what a game it's going to be - Fogarty

    Lions assistant coach John Fogarty was in good form earlier at the MCG as the players and management soaked up the surroundings of one of the most famous stadiums in world sport.

    "What a stage, and what a game it's going to be," Fogarty said.

    "It is so cool to be in the middle of it. There is a feel to the stadium, and an expectation. What a privilege just to be here.

    "It is a massive game for them, but a massive game for us."

    Fogarty also revealed legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson - skipper in South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001 - has been in to camp to speak to the squad and present jerseys.

    "He has a really nice presence to him, and he spoke about the small margins in the biggest games," Fogarty said.

    "He talked about the mentality, but for this group and for him as a player that wasn't an issue.

    "It was more about compounding errors and these are the things you need to make sure you are on top of during a match.

    "Again, what a privilege to have him come in and hand some jerseys out."

    John Fogarty speaking to reporters at the MCGImage source, BBC Sport
    Image caption,

    John Fogarty soaks in the surroundings at the MCG

  12. Classic Wallabies win the battle of the old-timerspublished at 14:51 BST 24 July

    Mike TindallImage source, Getty
    Image caption,

    Tindall earned 75 England caps before his retirement from rugby in 2014

    The hair might be thinner, the waistlines may be thicker, but the competitive spirit still sparked bright when the Classic Wallabies and British and Irish Legends met in a match at Melbourne's AAMI Park on Thursday.

    Mike Tindall, who never won selection for the Lions, but played against them off the bench for the Barbarians in a 2013 tour warm-up, played for the tourists.

    Alongside him were the likes of former Lions Alex Cuthbert, Shane Williams, Andy Powell and Tommy Seymour.

    Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell were among those turning out in green and gold.

    Matt GiteauImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Giteau crossed for a try in a high-scoring exhibition, laid on in advance of Saturday's second Test in Melbourne

    The Classic Wallabies ran out 41-31 winners, but the highlight of the match probably didn't figure on the scoreboard.

    Mitchell pulling a hamstring, to the delight of the watching Kurtley Beale, and then downing a pint garnered most online interest in the aftermath.

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