Andy Farrell has named what appears to be his strongest British & Irish Lions side yet for Wednesday's clash with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra, fielding a team that looks remarkably similar to his likely first Test XV against Australia. In the most significant selection pointer of the tour, the Lions head coach has made 14 changes from Saturday's laboured 21-10 victory over the Waratahs, with only Blair Kinghorn retained—moving from wing to full-back.

George Ford celebrated his 100th England cap in magnificent style as Steve Borthwick's Lions-depleted side delivered a comprehensive 35-12 victory over Argentina in La Plata, seizing control of the two-Test series with a performance that belied their underdog status. Key moments: 15′ – Alex Coles yellow card for head-on-head contact with Facundo Isa (ARG 0-0 ENG) 20′ – George Ford drop goal after England's first territory entry (ARG 0-3 ENG)

Captain Harry Wilson emerged as the hero in the dying seconds to rescue Australia from a humiliating defeat, spinning over from close range to give the Wallabies a heart-stopping 21-18 victory over Fiji in their first Test of 2025. The skipper's 79th-minute try capped a dramatic finale at McDonald Jones Stadium that saw the hosts trail for the final quarter before Wilson's moment of individual brilliance saved Joe Schmidt's side from what would have been a catastrophic setback ahead of the British & Irish Lions series.

The British and Irish Lions maintained their perfect record in Australia with a deeply concerning 21-10 victory over the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium, but Andy Farrell's side will be alarmed by a disjointed performance that exposed glaring weaknesses ahead of the Test series. Key moments: 12′ – Huw Jones finishes Sione Tuipulotu's no-look pass after Lions scrum penalty; Fin Smith converts (0-7)

The All Blacks opened their 2025 season with a pulsating 31-27 victory over a spirited French side at Forsyth Barr Stadium, securing their 500th Test victory in a match that exposed significant defensive vulnerabilities in Scott Robertson's new-look side. Key moments: 6′ – Joris Segonds 50-metre penalty gives France early lead (0-3) 17′ – Mickael Guillard crashes over after Theo Attissogbe breaks through; Nolann Le Garrec converts (0-10)

Scotland secured a historic first victory over the Māori All Blacks with a pulsating 29-26 triumph in Whangārei, holding their nerve through a frantic finale to claim a famous win at Semenoff Stadium. The visitors led by 12 points at the interval but were forced to withstand a spirited second-half fightback from the hosts before captain Stafford McDowall's side escaped with bragging rights in front of a vocal Northland crowd.

Tadhg Beirne will captain the British and Irish Lions against the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday night, leading a side showing 14 changes as the tourists continue their systematic squad rotation ahead of the Test series. Tadhg Beirne captains Lions with 14 changes from Queensland Reds victory Hugo Keenan and Blair Kinghorn make Lions debuts in crucial full-back auditions…

The British & Irish Lions delivered a stunning second-half masterclass to obliterate the Queensland Reds 52-12 at Suncorp Stadium, scoring five unanswered tries after the break to secure their second comprehensive victory of the Australian tour. Key moments 9′ – Jeff Toomaga-Allen powers over from close range after Hunter Paisami break; McLaughlin-Phillips converts (7-0) 19′ – Tommy Freeman finishes coast-to-coast move from Lions lineout; Russell converts (7-7)

The Queensland Reds have thrown down the gauntlet to the British and Irish Lions, naming a formidable lineup featuring nine Wallabies and two former All Blacks for Wednesday night's highly anticipated clash at Suncorp Stadium. Following the Lions' comprehensive 54-7 victory over Western Force, the Reds have assembled their strongest possible side for a fixture that promises to provide the tourists with their most testing challenge since arriving in Australia.

Maro Itoje returns to captain the British & Irish Lions for their second fixture on Australian soil as head coach Andy Farrell made 14 changes to the starting XV that demolished Western Force 54-7 in Perth on Saturday. Key selections: Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell unite for first time in what could be the Lions' Test half-back pairing Hugo Keenan gets crucial opportunity to stake Test claim at full-back with Blair Kinghorn delayed…

Tomos Williams' British & Irish Lions tour came to a devastating end on Monday after the Wales scrum-half was ruled out with a severe hamstring injury sustained whilst scoring his second try in Saturday's 54-7 victory over Western Force in Perth. Wishing Tomos a speedy recovery! ❤️🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 30, 2025 The 30-year-old Gloucester player suffered the injury in the cruellest of circumstances, clutching his left hamstring as he crossed the line in what should have been a moment of celebration.

The British and Irish Lions emphatically launched their Australian tour with a commanding 54-7 victory over Western Force in Perth, recovering from a competitive first half to deliver a ruthless second-period performance that silenced any lingering doubts from their Dublin defeat. Key moments 2′ – Dan Sheehan scores from Russell cross-field kick on captaincy debut (0-7) 5′ – Nic White burrows over after Force win restart, Donaldson converts (7-7)

Ireland legend Peter O'Mahony will bring the curtain down on his illustrious career by captaining a star-studded Barbarians side against world champions South Africa at DHL Stadium on Saturday, in what promises to be a fitting farewell for one of rugby's most respected leaders. Peter O'Mahony named captain for his final professional rugby match Cian Healy also bowing out after distinguished international career…

Western Force head coach Simon Cron has named six current Wallabies in his starting XV to face the British and Irish Lions at Optus Stadium on Saturday, with experienced scrum-half Nic White handed the captaincy for the historic encounter. Six current Wallabies in starting XV: White, Robertson, Swain, Champion de Crespigny, Pietsch, Donaldson Ben Donaldson rushed back from Wallabies camp after Kurtley Beale ruled out with hamstring injury…

Andy Farrell has turned to his Irish contingent to kickstart the British and Irish Lions' Australian tour, naming Dan Sheehan as captain for Saturday's opener against Western Force in Perth with nine players set to make their Lions debuts. Dan Sheehan named captain on Lions debut Nine players set for first Lions appearances in Perth Henry Pollock handed audition at number eight…

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has unveiled his first squad of 2025, naming five uncapped players in a 33-strong group for the three-Test Lipovitan-D July Series against France, starting in Dunedin on July 5th. Five debutants earn maiden call-ups: Chiefs prop Ollie Norris, Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister, Highlanders lock Fabian Holland, Hurricanes loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi, and Highlanders midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai…

The British and Irish Lions' 2025 tour got off to the worst possible start as Argentina claimed their first-ever victory over the famous touring side with a thrilling 28-24 triumph at the Aviva Stadium, ending the Lions' remarkable 54-year unbeaten run in opening fixtures and delivering a sobering reality check before they even board their flight to Australia. Key moments…

The Crusaders claimed their 15th Super Rugby title with a nerve-shredding 16-12 victory over the Chiefs in a final that epitomised everything compelling about championship rugby at Apollo Projects Stadium. Champions once more, and with it the ultimate redemption for head coach Rob Penney. Key moments 12′ – David Havili (Crusaders) yellow card for head-on-head contact with Emoni Narawa 13′ – George Dyer crashes over from Luke Jacobson's short ball (0-5)

Steve Borthwick admits he has had to "man mark" Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in training to contain the wing's enthusiasm as he prepares for his comeback after six months out through injury. Key selection points: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso returns for first match since December shoulder injury George Ford and Jamie George named co-captains with 200 caps between them Three uncapped players: Joe Carpenter (full-back), Seb Atkinson (centre), Guy Pepper (flanker)

James O'Connor's hopes of a fairytale finish to his international career have been dashed after Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt opted for youth over experience in naming his 36-man squad for the crucial Test against Fiji on July 6 in Newcastle. Key selection decisions: James O'Connor's Lions dream ends as Schmidt opts for youth at fly-half Only two uncapped players selected: Nick Champion de Crespigny and Corey Toole…

Andy Farrell has named his first British & Irish Lions team with Maro Itoje captaining the side for the inaugural time as they prepare to face Argentina at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Friday evening in the historic 1888 Cup encounter. Key Points: Maro Itoje named Lions captain for first time ahead of Dublin clash Marcus Smith starts at full-back with Fin Smith at fly-half…

Argentina have named a youthful and experimental squad for their historic clash with the British & Irish Lions at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Friday evening, with captain Julian Montoya leading a side featuring eight Premiership players and three potential debutants. Key points: Julian Montoya captains Argentina just six days after Leicester's Premiership final defeat Three potential debutants named on bench: Bernasconi, Wenger and Benítez Cruz…

The former England captain has agreed a two-year deal to rejoin Saracens, cutting short his Racing 92 contract after an injury-plagued season in Paris. Key moments: Farrell agrees two-year deal to return to Saracens for 2025/26 season Racing 92 and Saracens reach compromise on transfer fee after negotiations 33-year-old made just 17 appearances for French side due to injuries Return makes him eligible for England selection ahead of Argentina tour…

The four-year wait is finally over. Leinster claimed their first major silverware since 2021 with a commanding 32-7 victory over the Bulls at a rain-soaked Croke Park, delivering the emphatic performance that had eluded them in previous knockout encounters before a record crowd of 46,127 spectators. Key moments: Jack Conan opens scoring after 6 minutes with close-range finish, Prendergast converts…

The Chiefs secured their third consecutive Super Rugby Pacific final berth with a commanding 37-17 victory over the Brumbies at Waikato Stadium, as Damian McKenzie's flawless goal-kicking display dismantled Australia's last remaining title hope. Key moments 6′ – Tupou Vaa'i yellow carded for high tackle on Billy Pollard 15′ – Billy Pollard scores from rolling maul after Tom Wright's 50:22 (0-7)