As the British & Irish Lions prepare for their midweek clash against the First Nations & Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, anticipation is building around several fresh faces eager to make their mark. The Lions squad, captained by Owen Farrell in his 20th appearance, sees exciting debuts from Leinster duo Jamie Osborne and Thomas Clarkson, alongside Scotland’s Darcy Graham, as the team looks to maintain momentum ahead of the crucial second Test against Australia on July 26.
Jamie Osborne, 23, will start at outside centre, partnering with the experienced Farrell, while Clarkson, 25, joins the replacements bench. Both players were late additions to the Lions squad, called up in early July after impressive performances on Ireland’s summer tour. Osborne’s versatility and recent form have caught the eye of selectors, having scored seven tries during Leinster’s BKT United Rugby Championship title-winning campaign and featuring prominently for Ireland since his debut against South Africa last year.
Osborne’s journey to the Lions squad was unexpected. Just two days before Ireland’s match against Portugal in Lisbon, he received a surprise call from Lions and Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. “It was out of the blue,” Osborne recalled, describing the moment he learned of his call-up while in a taxi with teammates. Despite the whirlwind, Osborne quickly adapted, flying through Dubai to Brisbane a day ahead of the main squad, allowing him to acclimate and prepare thoroughly for the tour’s high stakes.
“The terminology is different but there’s a lot of similar stuff, so it’s just getting your head around that and then a few different plays,” Osborne explained. Rooming with fellow Leinster teammate Josh van der Flier has been a positive influence. “He’s nice and chilled, doesn’t snore, neat and tidy. I’m probably messier than him, so he’s not enjoying it as much,” Osborne joked.
Osborne’s debut opportunity comes in a team that has undergone significant rotation since the Lions’ first Test victory against Australia. Head coach Andy Farrell made 20 changes for this match, emphasizing the competitive nature of the squad and the necessity for players to seize every opportunity to impress. “This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests,” Farrell said. “The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places, and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests.”
The Lions’ backline features an all-Scottish back three with Blair Kinghorn returning from injury at fullback, joined by Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings. The half-back pairing consists of Ben White and Fin Smith, while the forwards boast a strong Irish-Scottish-Welsh-English mix. The front row is anchored by Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George, and Finlay Bealham, with James Ryan and Scott Cummings in the second row. The back row combines Wales’ Jac Morgan, Ireland’s Josh van der Flier, and England’s Henry Pollock, forming a dynamic and powerful unit.
Thomas Clarkson, meanwhile, has made a strong impression since his international debut for Ireland last November, having started three of the last five Tests and appearing nearly 60 times for Leinster since 2020. Clarkson’s inclusion on the bench alongside Garry Ringrose, who has recovered from concussion, and other recent call-ups like Ewan Ashman and Rory Sutherland, highlights the depth and versatility of this Lions squad.
Simon Easterby, Lions assistant coach, praised Clarkson and Osborne’s inclusion, emphasizing their deserving place based on recent performances. “Tom has fought through a pretty tough position at Leinster, never mind in the Irish squad, and he’s put in some brilliant performances,” Easterby said. “Jamie has had a brilliant couple of years. The performance he had in South Africa last summer and his performance for Leinster playing 12, 13 or wing, it’s pretty impressive the positions he can cover and the quality he brings.”
Easterby also dismissed suggestions that this midweek game could be a distraction ahead of the second Test against Australia, instead urging the players to view it as a chance to stake their claim. “The players know there is an opportunity there,” he said. “Faz [Andy Farrell] in his selection overall has given guys opportunities based on the performances they have created on tour. I believe the group is so competitive at the minute and I don’t think that will be any different with the prize of featuring in the second or third Test.”
Across the Tasman, Australia is gearing up for a must-win second Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The Wallabies, trailing 1-0 in the series after a 27-19 loss in Brisbane, are bolstering their pack with the return of experienced back-row forward Rob Valetini. Valetini, who has earned 52 caps since his 2019 debut, missed the opener due to a calf injury but declared himself fit and ready to lead the charge against the Lions.
“I would have been a shoo-in for the first Test but it was a smart idea to have a week off and get through some more training,” Valetini said. “It feels good to go. I’ve got a lot of hunger to get out there.” Despite the pressure, Valetini remains focused on his role. “I don’t really feel pressure or anything. I feel like it is another game of rugby and something I have been playing since I was young. I just try and go out there and do my job – carrying, tackling – and doing my bit for the team.”
Veteran prop James Slipper underscored the significance of the upcoming clash, likening it to a World Cup final in terms of pressure and importance. “There is not much more pressure than with a Lions series,” Slipper said. “It is a game we are going to have to win. Realistically, everyone knows it is do or die. We know what it is. This is up there with a World Cup final for us as players.”
With the Lions fielding a refreshed lineup and Australia eager to level the series, the stage is set for an electrifying encounter at the MCG. The Lions’ midweek match offers a glimpse of the squad’s depth and the fierce competition for places, while the Wallabies prepare to defend their home turf with renewed vigor. Rugby fans around the world will be watching closely as these two sides battle for supremacy in one of the sport’s most storied rivalries.
