Live Lions v Australia: Lineups and latest updates before second Test from the MCG

Telegraph

2 days ago

26 July 2025 9:32am
9:31AM
Will Greenwood on Sky Sports
"Last week there was a tomorrow, tonight there's no tomorrow" 🗣️
Will Greenwood on the pressures for Australia to keep the series alive 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/KuZcLvttOy
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 26, 2025
9:22AM
The 'G!
What a location to host the second Test! You can see from this image below the scale of this sporting colosseum, which has a capacity of 100,00, and it will be packed to the rafters today. It is also where England's cricketers will be on Boxing Day later this year in the midst of an Ashes series.
9:18AM
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9:14AM
Lions tour schedule
Friday 20th June: Lions 24-28 Argentina
Saturday 28th June: Western Force 7-54 Lions
Wednesday 2nd July: Reds 12-52 Lions
Saturday 5th July: Waratahs 10-21 Lions
Wednesday 9th July: Brumbies 24-36 Lions
Saturday 12th July: Invitational AU 0-48 NZ VS Lions
Saturday 19th July: Australia 19-27 Lions (First Test)
Tuesday 22nd July: First Nations and Pasifika XV 19-24 Lions
Today: Australia vs Lions (Second Test)
Saturday 2nd August: Australia vs Lions (Third Test)
9:08AM
So much on the line?
Australia have to win to keep the series alive and former Wallaby Tim Horan has expressed just how significant today's game is:
I reckon this is the most important rugby test match for the @wallabies since the 2015 World Cup final. So much at stake for our game. 90,000 at the MCG.
— Tim Horan (@TimHoran12) July 26, 2025
9:05AM
Teams
Joe Schmidt is boosted by the return of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in the pack. Despite their impact off the bench a week ago, Tate McDermott, Angus Bell and Carlo Tizzano remain on the bench.
Australia starting XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon; 1 James Slipper, 2 David Porecki, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (captain).
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Ben Donaldson.
Bundee Aki replaces the injured Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre, Andrew Porter comes in for Ellis Genge at loosehead prop and Ollie Chessum replaces the injured Joe McCarthy. Owen Farrell is on the bench.
British and Irish Lions starting XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Blair Kinghorn.
9:01AM
Can the Lions seal the series with a game to spare?
The British and Irish Lions have the chance to wrap up the series as they head to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to take on Australia in the second Test. Andy Farrell's men won the first Test 27-19 in Brisbane last weekend, a scoreline that flattered Australia considering the Lions' dominance for the first hour.
It has been a chaotic week in the build-up to this second Test. Joe McCarthy, who started in the second row in the first Test, has been ruled out with a foot injury whilst Sione Tuipulotu, in the city of his birth, misses the game due to a hamstring injury. Ollie Chessum replaces McCarthy and Bundee Aki comes in for Tuipulotu. Garry Ringrose was set to start at outside centre but has had a recurrence of a concussion. In a non-injury enforced change, Andrew Porter replaces Ellis Genge at loosehead prop. Owen Farrell has been named on the bench as has Blair Kinghorn.
The Lions had their final midweek fixture of the tour on Tuesday, beating a First Nations and Pasifika XV 24-19 in Melbourne. Speaking ahead of the second Test, Andy Farrell has shared his excitement about playing at the MCG and the opportunity for his side to 'create a bit of history'.
'We have put ourselves in a good position after the first Test, but we know there will be a massive reaction from this Wallaby team. Everyone saw the quality they have in Brisbane and we know we will have to be a lot better than we were last week. The opportunity to play in front of 100,000 supporters at the MCG, one of the world's most iconic stadia, is what makes Lions tours unique and special. We know our Lions supporters will get behind the team and create a fantastic atmosphere.
'We thoroughly believe that we are way better than what we showed [in the first Test], and we have got another chance to prove that. We are the privileged ones that get the opportunity to do something special and hopefully create a bit of history. There is a determined Australian side that is going to try and stop us doing that, so it is a hell of a test. No other Lions have done back-to-back victories of tours of the same country. So, due to the good work of the 2013 touring party, we get the privilege to be in a position to try and accomplish that.'
As Australia look to bounce back from the defeat last weekend and keep the series alive, they are boosted by the returns of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini to their pack. Speaking ahead of the game, Australia head coach Joe Schmidt know his side will need to improve to keep the series alive going into the third Test in Sydney.
'The squad has recovered well after a very physical first test and the week's preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together. We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we will need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night.'
Will the Lions wrap up the series or can Australia take it to a decider next weekend? Kick-off from the MCG is at 11am BST.