The British and Irish Lions are gearing up for a historic showdown against Argentina at Dublin's Aviva Stadium on Friday, June 20, 2025, in what promises to be a thrilling curtain-raiser ahead of their much-anticipated Australian tour. This match marks the first-ever Lions fixture held on Irish soil and will see the coveted 1888 Cup contested for only the second time, after the Lions' victory over Japan in 2021. Kick-off is set for 8pm BST, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and updates streaming across various platforms.
Head coach Andy Farrell has named a formidable Lions side, blending experience and fresh talent in a bid to set the tone for the summer. Notably, Maro Itoje will captain the squad for the first time, stepping into the leadership role with the poise expected of a player who has already made a significant impact in his previous two Lions tours and a standout performance in the recent Six Nations. Itoje’s vision for the team is clear: toughness, unity, passion, and selflessness will be the pillars of their campaign.
"I want this Lions squad to be tough. I look at our forwards and I see a group of tough men," Itoje said. "I want us to be tight, that's a huge thing. I want us to be an incredibly tight group of players that have each other's back. And regardless of who plays and regardless of which combinations, I want us to play with the passion, energy and zeal you'd expect of a Lions squad. The Lions work when the players are selfless, so to make sure it's a successful tour we all have to be selfless and put the Lions at the forefront of everything we do." His words underscore the ethos the team hopes to embody as they embark on a challenging schedule.
In terms of lineup, the Lions boast a powerful midfield partnership with Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu making his Lions debut alongside Ireland’s Bundee Aki, who earns his second Lions cap. Tuipulotu, who missed the Six Nations due to injury, returns to international rugby for the first time since Scotland's November victory over Australia in 2024. Their combination is one to watch, both players naturally inclined to inside centre roles but now tasked with forging a dynamic partnership that could unlock defenses across the tour.
Marcus Smith, another key figure, has been named at full-back. Smith’s journey to this position has been a story of adaptability and resilience. Having started the 2023 World Cup in this role and fluctuated between fly-half and full-back during the 2025 Six Nations, Smith offers a blend of creativity and tactical acumen. His ability to direct play from the back, combined with his subtle footwork and assertive decision-making, adds a nuanced edge to the Lions' backline. Smith himself admitted that the 2024-25 season was challenging but said that being picked for a second Lions tour helped him "relax my shoulders" and regain confidence.
The backline is flanked by Tommy Freeman and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings, both players bringing physicality and pace, with van der Merwe recently returning to fitness after a spell out since March. The half-back pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, clubmates from Northampton Saints, adds cohesion and familiarity to the side, a vital factor given the limited preparation time before the match.
The forward pack is anchored by a strong front row of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Finlay Bealham, the latter stepping in after Scotland’s Zander Fagerson was ruled out due to injury. The second row features captain Maro Itoje alongside Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne, while the back row combines Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, and Ben Earl, blending English and Welsh grit. Morgan, the Welsh captain, starts at openside flanker, with fellow Welshman Tomos Williams providing cover from the bench. The bench also includes the experienced Tadhg Furlong, who returns after injury struggles this season, and promising youngster Henry Pollock, who holds a single Test cap and is considered one of the rising stars of English rugby.
Andy Farrell’s squad has been somewhat disrupted by the timing of domestic finals, with 15 players only arriving at camp on Monday, June 16. This has forced Farrell to select largely from those already training in Portugal earlier in the week. Despite this, Farrell is confident in his team’s ability to perform, emphasizing the importance of using this game as a platform to showcase their quality and stake a claim for Test selection.
"This is all about putting your best foot forward as a group," Farrell said. "They’re representing the group. This is a full-blown Test match for us, for all that are involved internally. We’re lucky to have the quality of the Argentina side to come over and test that. It’s going to be a fantastic occasion. The players should want this team on the weekend to put everyone who’s in the stands under pressure, as that’s what the shirt should do. It should bring the best out of everyone, and everyone has to rise to that challenge."
Argentina, led by captain Julian Montoya, arrive in Dublin fresh off a competitive 2024 campaign that saw them finish third in the Rugby Championship, ahead of Australia, and deliver strong performances against top-tier nations. Montoya himself will play just six days after starting in the Gallagher Premiership final, illustrating the Pumas' commitment to this match. The Argentine squad also features promising debutants and a strong Premiership presence, including Saracens flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez and Gloucester-bound full-back Santiago Carreras.
The history between these two sides adds an extra layer of intrigue. The Lions have never lost to Argentina, boasting six wins and a single draw dating back to their last encounter in 2005, which ended 25-25 thanks to a late Jonny Wilkinson penalty. However, the Pumas have grown considerably in strength and tactical prowess, ensuring this will be no easy outing for the Lions.
Looking ahead, this match serves as a vital warm-up before the Lions embark on a demanding six-week Australian tour, which includes six additional warm-up matches against Super Rugby and invitational teams, culminating in a three-Test series against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies. The Lions will depart for Perth on Saturday, June 21, with their first Australian game scheduled against the Western Force on June 28.
While injury concerns linger, particularly regarding Tadhg Furlong's fitness and the absence of players like Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, and Jamison Gibson-Park, the squad is brimming with talent and leadership. Farrell’s strategic selections and the players’ evident hunger promise an exciting contest in Dublin, setting the stage for what could be a memorable tour.
As the Lions prepare to take the field in front of an expectant crowd, the message from captain Itoje resonates: "You have a new family when you're with the Lions. There's a reason why there are four emblems on the badge – because when you get there, this is your new family. You're not thinking from an English point of view or a Welsh point of view, you're thinking from a Lions point of view." It’s a call for unity and selflessness that could well define the success of this 2025 Lions campaign.
