The legendary selection of British and Irish lions is preparing to reveal his group for the 2025 tour in Australia. A highly anticipated announcement that will precede a series of high-level matches, with the high point of three test match against the Wallabies.
On May 8, at the O2 Arena in London, the coach Andy Farrell will unveil the composition of the Lions who will face Australia this summer. The meeting promises to be major for rugby enthusiasts of the four nations concerned: England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
A high Irish dominant team
Given recent performances, especially during the Six Nations tournament, observers expect a strong Irish representation in the workforce. Scotland and England should also be present, while Wales, in difficulty for a year, could have only a few representatives.
Unexpected names could however appear on the list, especially those of Jack Willis (third line of Toulouse) or Owen Farrell (former English captain, now at Racing 92), despite their non-participation in the last tournament.
The total number of selected has not yet been communicated, but the last Lions tour in 2021 in South Africa had gathered 37 players.
Who will be the Lions captain?
The captain’s position also arouses all speculation. Two names stand out: Many Itoje (second English line) and Caelan Doris (Third Irish line), both captains in selection. The official announcement will be made in front of more than 2,000 fans gathered in London, in the presence ofIeuan Evansformer Welsh winger and current lions president.
Before flying to Australia, the Lions will play a launch match against Argentinaon June 20 in Dublin. Then will follow five preparation games against Australian franchises (Western Force, Queensland Reds, Nsw Waratahs, Act Brumbies) as well as a meeting against a combined Australia/new Zealand selection.
The series of three tests against Australia will start on July 19 at Brisbanewill continue to Melbourne (July 26), and will end at Sydney August 2. The issues are considerable: the Lions will try to win the Tom Richards Trophygleaned for the last time in 2013.
Andy Farrell has drawn widely from the staff of the Ireland team to constitute its technical supervision: Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, John Fogarty et Johnny Sexton (Irish rugby legend) will accompany him. The supervision also counts Richard Wigglesworth (England) and John Dalziel (Scotland), but No Welsh representativea first since 2001.
The Australian inheritance of Lions
THE Lions have a long history with Australia, dating back to their very first tour in 1888. Since then, the confrontations between the two giants of rugby have multiplied, often spectacular, sometimes legendary. We remember in particular the series lost just in 2001, or brilliant revenge in 2013 in Sydney (41-16), where a George North in a state of grace had physically dominated the Australian winger Israel sails.
This 2025 tour, eleven years after their last confrontation against the Wallabies, will be an opportunity for a new generation of Lions to illustrate, in an increasingly competitive and globalized context.
Lions matches calendar 2025:
- June 20 : vs Argentine (Dublin, Aviva Stadium)
- June 28 : vs Western Force (Perth)
- July 2 : vs Queensland Reds (Brisbane)
- July 5 : vs NSW Waratahs (Sydney)
- July 9 : vs ACT Brumbies (Canberra)
- July 12 : vs au & nz invitational (adelaide)
- July 19 : Test 1 vs Australie (Brisbane)
- July 22 : vs Melbourne Rebels
- July 26 : Test 2 vs Australie (Melbourne)
- August 2 : Test 3 vs Australie (Sydney)
With such intensity and as many questions, this 2025 tour of British and Irish lions promises to be one of the flagship events of the rugby year. There are still places (some) from England to fly to Australia towards Australia … but you will have to pay several thousand euros.
British and Irish Lions: the story of a European rugby legend
While the 2025 tour in Australia is approaching, it is time to return to the extraordinary history of the British and Irish Lions, this selection unique in the world, which embodies the rugby union of four nations – England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales – under the same jersey.
-An adventure more than a century old
It all started in 1888, when British players embarked on an unofficial tour in Australia and New Zealand. At the time, it was still only a private initiative, but it will lay the foundations for a tradition that continues today. It was not until 1910 that the four British federations will officially unite to organize representative tours. From then on, the Lions became the rugby ambassador of the United Kingdom and Ireland in the southern hemisphere.
Lions only play every four years, alternating in Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. This rarity strengthens the prestige of each selection and the intensity of each series of test games.
A clean identity, beyond nations
The lions wear a red jersey struck with a badge made up of the emblems of the four nations: the English rose, the Irish clover, the Scottish thistle and the Welsh leek. Unlike many national teams, they do not have an official anthem, symbol of their supranational nature. An attempt to create one in 2005 (“The Power of Four”) failed to rally supporters.
This selection embodies a form of British unity rarely observed elsewhere in sport. In the red jersey, usual rivals become partners, united by a common objective: to challenge the southern giants.
Since the 1950s, Lions have become a real institution of world rugby. They won several prestigious series: against Australia in 1989, in 2001 and 2013; against South Africa in 1997; And even against New Zealand in 1971, an unequaled feat.
But these triumphs are rare and all the more precious. The overall assessment is balanced: out of 38 official tours, the Lions won 15 series, lost 21 and shared two. Facing the All Blacks, their bane, the success rate remains very low (less than 10 % of serial victories).
Wearing the Lions jersey is one of the supreme honors for a British or Irish player. Some have built their legend there. Willie John McBride (Ireland), holder of the selections record with 17 CAPES, is an emblematic figure of the glorious 1974 tour in South Africa. Gavin Hastings (Scotland), best points marker, or Tony O’Reilly (Ireland), best test marker, have also left an indelible mark.
More recently, players like Jonny Wilkinson, Alun Wyn Jones or Sam Warburton made the spirits by their commitment during intense, often epic tours.
A modern epic, between tradition and professionalism
Since the professional era in the 1990s, tours have become real military operations. Failed supervision, multidisciplinary staff, major sponsors, and millimeter programming … Everything is done to maximize performance in an extremely short period of time.
In 2021, despite the constraints of the COVVI-19, the Lions were able to maintain their tour in South Africa. Beaten 2-1 in a very disputed series, they have shown that magic still operates. In 2025, they will try to reconquer the Tom Richards trophy in Australia, twelve years after their last success.
The British and Irish Lions are not only a team. They are a symbol: that of a rugby rooted in history, but capable of reinventing themselvesr. In 2024, a female team was created, with a first tour scheduled for 2027 in New Zealand.
While the national selections are experiencing various fortunes, the Lions remain a unifying, prestigious, and deeply respected project. Their story, almost 140 years long, continues to inspire, far beyond the British borders.
Photo credit: DR
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