
Lions turn up the power to tackle Australia – talking points ahead of first Test
Here, we look at five talking points heading into the Brisbane opener.
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Moment of truth
Since their 28-24 defeat by Argentina in Dublin, the Lions have not been truly tested. Five victories over under-strength Super Rugby teams and a disappointing AUNZ Invitational XV have illuminated their journey across Australia, but the standard of opposition meant the result was always assured.
Only in the cauldron of a Test match at Suncorp Stadium will Andy Farrell's men fully reveal themselves. After six weeks together including training camps, their quality, tactics and identity will finally emerge.
Our line up for Saturday's first Test! 👊🦁
#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial)
July 17, 2025
Farrell's power play
Historically, Australia have been vulnerable up-front and by picking the biggest pack available to him, Farrell has signalled his intention to drive home a Lions advantage.
A beefed-up Ellis Genge is part of a heavy duty front row, the hulking Joe McCarthy will act as enforcer at lock and in Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry, the tourists have opted for their most physical flankers, even if their selection is not justified by their form on tour. It is a pack designed to submit the Wallabies.
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Scotland trio ready to ignite
While the Lions have the muscle to take Australia apart in the forwards, they also possess an all-Scotland midfield trio capable of lighting fireworks behind the scrum.
Finn Russell during the victory over the Queensland Reds (Jason O'Brien/PA)
Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones are reunited with the aim of bringing the familiarity born of their tried and tested combination to the famous red jersey.
Russell provides genius and maturing game management at fly-half, while his centres run hard and pick good lines. All three can be match winners on their day.
Wallabies in the Lions' jaws
Australia were already underdogs to win the first Test – and the series – even before tackle-busting forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton joined fly-half Noah Lolesio, flanker Langi Gleeson and hooker Dave Porecki on the injured list.
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They still have classy operators, especially centres Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and breakdown specialist Fraser McReight, but it would be a seismic upset if a side ranked eighth in the world were to topple the combined might of four nations.
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt during the captain's run at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (David Davies/PA)
The Schmidt factor
Possibly more than any player on field, the Lions are most concerned about the figure directing operations from the sidelines.
Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is now in charge of the Wallabies where his proven tack record as a master tactician with a meticulous eye for detail, as well as his inside knowledge on Farrell and many of the Lions, is seen as a potential leveller.
'You know he'll give them an inner confidence so that they're up for a series win,' Farrell said of his former Ireland boss.
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The Independent
34 minutes ago
- The Independent
Martin Johnson inspires Lions ahead of crucial second Test against Australia
The British and Irish Lions will stage their attempt to close out a series victory over Australia inspired by the words of Martin Johnson. Johnson presented the jerseys to Andy Farrell's team as a surprise guest speaker at a special ceremony before dinner as part of the build-up to Saturday's second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The former England lock captained two Lions tours, overseeing a series triumph against South Africa in 1997 and a defeat to Australia four years later, and drew on his experience to outline what will be required against the Wallabies. 'Martin speaks nice and calmly. It was a privilege to have him there,' scrum coach John Fogarty said. 'He talked a bit about the Lions series they won and the Lions series they lost and the difference in both. 'The room was completely quiet for the whole time he spoke. There were guys just staring up at him. Maro asked him a question or two and then he handed out the jerseys. 'There was a bit of contemplation and reflection after he talked, which is a good thing. It was a quiet room because they wanted to listen to a guy they see as an icon.' The Lions seized a 1-0 lead in the series by outmuscling Australia 27-19 in Brisbane last Saturday, placing them just 80 minutes away from emulating Johnson's heroes of 1997. However, they are braced for a backlash from opponents who finished the opener strongly and who have been reinforced by the return of powerful forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini from injury. 'Martin said it is the smallest of margins in the biggest of games. He talked about being able to get back to neutral and talking about being in the moment,' Fogarty said. 'All that stuff is difficult when you're playing in front of 95,000 people in a stadium as iconic as the MCG. 'When you're under pressure or applying pressure your emotions can go up and down, so being able to get back to neutral or find a way to get clarity back in your mind in the shortest of times is difficult for players. 'That's really important for us in this game. We are not going to get everything our own way and we know it's going to be a game of small margins. So it was good advice.' The Lions have confirmed that Ewan Ashman, Gregor Brown, Rory Sutherland and Darcy Graham – all late call-ups from Scotland's tour of New Zealand brought in to help with Tuesday's fixture against the First Nations and Pasifika XV – have returned home.


Powys County Times
34 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Lions eye series victory against Australia- talking points ahead of second Test
The British and Irish Lions are aiming to complete their first series victory since 2013 when they clash with Australia in the second Test. Here, the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into their collision at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Lions move in for the kill A flawless record of seven wins since arriving Down Under has placed the Lions on the brink of an achievement that has only been managed twice before in the professional era. Successful Lions tours are the exception, not the rule, but they are overwhelming favourites to crush Australia for the second time. The persistent rain forecast to fall throughout Saturday could be a leveller, but on the strength of a one-sided first Test, Andy Farrell's men should be comfortable winners. We're ready for you Melbourne! 🔜🦁 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 25, 2025 Do or die for Australia The Wallabies are not just playing to keep the series alive, but also their credibility as a tour destination for the elite of British and Irish rugby. These are difficult times for Australian rugby and even though their precarious finances have been shored up by the Lions' visit, problems abound on and off the field. It is imperative that they take the series to a decider by rising to the occasion in Melbourne. If they lose again, calls for the Lions to instead turn their attention to the mouth-watering prospect of a tour to France will only grow louder. Down but not out For all their difficulties, Joe Schmidt's men are not without hope for their shot at levelling the series. They scored more points in the second-half at Suncorp Stadium where, unexpectedly, their bench made the greater impact. Reinforcing their assault on the Lions are the return of powerful forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, whose very presence after missing the first Test because of calf injuries should prevent their pack being bullied again. Valetini's ball carrying at the blindside flanker is a particularly important weapon. A rock in red! 💪🔴 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 24, 2025 Comeback king One of the most fascinating stories of the tour took another twist when Owen Farrell was named on the bench for the MCG clash. If he comes on, the former England captain will be making his first Test appearance in almost two years. Even after two quietly encouraging performances on tour, including a full 80 minutes on Tuesday when he proved his fitness following a season of injury setbacks, the involvement of Andy Farrell's son as a late call-up divides opinion, but so far his presence has only benefitted the squad. Stage set for Russell Much of the spotlight this week has fallen on Owen Farrell, allowing the Lions' real star to glide into the second Test relatively unnoticed. In Brisbane, Finn Russell was mesmerising at times during a first half when his passing repeatedly unlocked Australia's defence. Aided by a dominant pack and the generalship of scrum-half Jamison Gibson Park, the 32-year-old is functioning at the peak of his powers and has another opportunity to prove that on current form, he is the game's standout fly-half.


The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Lions eye series victory against Australia- talking points ahead of second Test
A flawless record of seven wins since arriving Down Under has placed the Lions on the brink of an achievement that has only been managed twice before in the professional era. Successful Lions tours are the exception, not the rule, but they are overwhelming favourites to crush Australia for the second time. The persistent rain forecast to fall throughout Saturday could be a leveller, but on the strength of a one-sided first Test, Andy Farrell's men should be comfortable winners. Do or die for Australia The Wallabies are not just playing to keep the series alive, but also their credibility as a tour destination for the elite of British and Irish rugby. These are difficult times for Australian rugby and even though their precarious finances have been shored up by the Lions' visit, problems abound on and off the field. It is imperative that they take the series to a decider by rising to the occasion in Melbourne. If they lose again, calls for the Lions to instead turn their attention to the mouth-watering prospect of a tour to France will only grow louder. Down but not out For all their difficulties, Joe Schmidt's men are not without hope for their shot at levelling the series. They scored more points in the second-half at Suncorp Stadium where, unexpectedly, their bench made the greater impact. Reinforcing their assault on the Lions are the return of powerful forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, whose very presence after missing the first Test because of calf injuries should prevent their pack being bullied again. Valetini's ball carrying at the blindside flanker is a particularly important weapon. Comeback king One of the most fascinating stories of the tour took another twist when Owen Farrell was named on the bench for the MCG clash. If he comes on, the former England captain will be making his first Test appearance in almost two years. Even after two quietly encouraging performances on tour, including a full 80 minutes on Tuesday when he proved his fitness following a season of injury setbacks, the involvement of Andy Farrell's son as a late call-up divides opinion, but so far his presence has only benefitted the squad. Stage set for Russell Much of the spotlight this week has fallen on Owen Farrell, allowing the Lions' real star to glide into the second Test relatively unnoticed. In Brisbane, Finn Russell was mesmerising at times during a first half when his passing repeatedly unlocked Australia's defence. Aided by a dominant pack and the generalship of scrum-half Jamison Gibson Park, the 32-year-old is functioning at the peak of his powers and has another opportunity to prove that on current form, he is the game's standout fly-half.