The British and Irish Lions have officially kicked off their 2025 tour Down Under, with their first match set for Saturday, June 28, against the Western Force at Optus Stadium in Perth. This marks the beginning of a six-week campaign that will see the Lions take on Australia's top Super Rugby franchises, two invitational teams, and culminate in a three-Test series against the Wallabies.
Coming off a narrow 28-24 defeat to Argentina in Dublin last Friday, the Lions are eager to bounce back in what will be their first game on Australian soil. The loss to the Pumas, a side ranked fifth in the world, was a sobering reminder that even the best teams can falter when not fully firing. Ireland wing Mack Hansen, making his first start for the Lions, reflected on the defeat, emphasizing the team's self-imposed standards: "The only team that can beat us is us. If we're not on it and we're not doing things to the best of our ability, then that's what's going to let us down." Hansen, 27, has a unique perspective, having grown up in Canberra and played for the ACT Brumbies, whose players now feature in the Western Force lineup.
Coach Andy Farrell, taking a sabbatical from his role as Ireland head coach to lead the Lions, has made significant changes following the Argentina loss. Thirteen alterations have been made to the starting XV for the Western Force clash, including the introduction of hooker Dan Sheehan as captain in place of the rested Maro Itoje. The matchday 23 boasts nine Leinster players, highlighting the strong Irish presence in the squad. Finn Russell starts at fly-half, and 20-year-old Henry Pollock is handed the number eight jersey, signaling a blend of experience and youthful energy.
The Western Force, who finished ninth in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, present a formidable challenge despite their standings. Their squad includes three of Hansen's former Brumbies teammates, such as Bayley Kuenzle, who will be on the bench. The Force lineup also features seasoned Wallabies like Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain, and captain Nic White. The team is eager to make a statement against the Lions, viewing this match as a chance to redeem a difficult season and disrupt the touring side's rhythm.
Historically, the Lions have dominated encounters with the Western Force. Their last meeting in 2013 ended in a commanding 69-17 victory for the Lions, and an earlier 2001 tour saw the Lions rack up 116 points against a Western Australia side. However, the Lions are mindful of the unpredictability of tour rugby. Hansen recalls the 2013 Brumbies victory over the Lions, a rare upset that serves as a cautionary tale. "Things do happen," he said. "I remember that tour vividly... It was amazing, it was just cool to me. Now it's here and I'm doing it and it feels like I'm properly living a dream." This experience fuels the Lions' determination to avoid complacency.
The Lions' tour itinerary is packed, featuring ten matches across Australia and one in Dublin. Following the Western Force game, they will face the Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies, an Invitational Australia/New Zealand XV, and the First Nations & Pasifika XV before the high-stakes Test series against the Wallabies begins on July 19 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. The Tests will be contested at iconic venues including the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Accor Stadium in Sydney, with all matches kicking off at 11 am Irish time.
Andy Farrell's squad selection reflects a strategic balance of seasoned internationals and emerging talent. The 38-man roster initially included 15 players from Ireland, 13 from England, eight from Scotland, and two from Wales. After the late addition of Finlay Bealham to replace injured Scotland prop Zander Fagerson, the Irish contingent increased to 16, with Scotland reduced to seven. Maro Itoje, a veteran of previous Lions tours, leads the team as captain, though he sits out the Western Force match to manage workload.
Television coverage for the tour is comprehensive. In the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports holds exclusive rights, broadcasting all matches live, with the Western Force clash airing on Sky Sports Action from 10 am BST. Australian viewers can watch the tour live and ad-free on Stan Sport, with Test matches also available on Channel Nine. The Western Force game will also be shown on free-to-air 9Gem. Fans in the United States can catch the action via CBS and Paramount+.
The Lions' coaching staff, led by Farrell, includes familiar faces from his Ireland tenure, such as Simon Easterby (defense coach), John Fogarty (scrum coach), and Andrew Goodman (backs coach). Legendary Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has joined the backroom team ahead of his full-time IRFU role, adding invaluable experience to the setup.
Despite the Lions' status as heavy favorites, the tour has already seen tensions flare. A public disagreement between Lions CEO Ben Calveley and Australia head coach Joe Schmidt, Farrell's former mentor, has arisen over the release of Wallabies players for tour matches. Nonetheless, the Lions remain focused on their objectives, with Farrell insisting on a significant uplift in performance following the Argentina defeat. "We have some of the best players in the world and you should be winning every time," Hansen noted. "We'll get our heads absolutely chewed off if it happens again. So the plan is to win from here on out."
As the Lions prepare to take the field at Optus Stadium, anticipation is high. The match promises to be a thrilling contest between a Lions side eager to assert their dominance and a Western Force team determined to upset the odds. With the tour's momentum hinging on this opening clash, all eyes will be on the players to see who rises to the occasion in this storied rivalry's latest chapter.
