
British and Irish Lions v Argentina live: Latest updates from opening tour match in Dublin
After four years of waiting, the British and Irish Lions tour is finally here, with Andy Farrell 's side beginning their 10-match itinerary by breaking new ground in Dublin.
Argentina are the opening opponents for Farrell's squad as the Lions play on Irish soil for the first time as their preparations for the three-match Test series against the Wallabies intensify. The 38-man group will head to Australia this weekend but first face a tricky test at the Aviva Stadium against a Pumas side packed with quality, who will be looking to cause a shock as their predecessors so nearly managed to in a 25-all draw in Cardiff before the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
Like many tour curtain-raisers, that game showcased the challenges a squad drawn from four unions faces in getting up to speed, though Farrell will nonetheless be hoping for a strong start. For the 23 selected, led by Maro Itoje, this is a first chance to stake a claim for Test selection as they look to thrill a close to capacity crowd.
Lions vs Argentina live
British and Irish Lions take on Argentina in opening tour fixture | Live on Sky Sports with kick off at 8pm
Encounter in Dublin marks first time Lions have played on Irish soil
Andy Farrell's squad head to Australia this weekend ahead of three Tests against the Wallabies
Lions receive Tadhg Furlong fitness boost as team revealed for Argentina curtain-raiser
There was good news for the Lions as Andy Farrell revealed his team on Wednesday with prop Tadhg Furlong passed fit to feature off the bench having been a slight injury concern for the tour.
Lions get Tadhg Furlong fitness boost as team revealed for Argentina clash
The Ireland prop has been battling a calf injury ahead of the tour
Harry Latham-Coyle20 June 2025 17:00
British and Irish Lions vs Argentina
The Lions tour is officially here! For the first time, the quadrennial tourists are set to play on Irish soil as they begin a 10-match itinerary with a clash against Argentina in Dublin, and the Pumas are likely to provide a tricky test for a squad still getting to know one another.
Andy Farrell will be hoping for a strong start - can any of his opening 23 really stake a claim for Test selection? Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 8pm BST.
Harry Latham-Coyle19 June 2025 08:26
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THE Lions kick off a huge summer of rugby in Dublin TONIGHT Andy Farrell's side will begin their summer of rugger with a huge warm-up clash at the Aviva Stadium against Argentina. 4 4 4 4 Los Pumas came fourth in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and will be no slouches against a far from full strength Lions side. Farrell and Co will be without at least 17 of the squad picked a the O2 earlier this year, with domestic finals and injuries limiting how many players can play in Dublin. Twelve of the Leinster coefficient, as well as four from Bath, Leicester and Toulouse are playing in finals rugby, while Zander Fagerson of Glasgow misses the tour injured. The side will be with tour captain Maro Itoje, who failed to make the Premiership play-offs with Saracens, and as such is ready to go from the off. How to watch Lions vs Argentina for FREE Lions vs Argentina will be available for FREE on BBC iPlayer in the UK. S4C in Wales have purchased the rights for the tour - meaning the game is available to stream for FREE via iPlayer for UK viewers. However, the S4C stream will be shown with Welsh commentary. Alternatively, SunSport will bring you play-by-play action of the clash. Why does the Lions vs Argentina have Welsh commentary? As explained above, Welsh TV station S4C have rights for the whole of the tour. The channel is a Welsh-language only channel but its content is available for British and Northern Irish viewers on iPlayer. There is no option to change the commentary from Welsh to English or any other language. Lions vs Argentina team news Lions unavailable list includes 12 from Leinster, two from Bath, and one each from Leicester, Toulouse and Glasgow. In the case of Glasgow's Zander Fagerson, he misses the tour completely, while Leinster, Bath and Leicester players will join the tour after domestic finals. Connacht's Finlay Bealham has been added to the tour in Fagerson's place. British & Irish Lions XV: 15. M Smith, 14. Freeman, 13. Tuipulotu, 12. Aki, 11. Van Der Merwe, 10. F Smith, 9. Mitchell; 1. Genge, 2. Cowan-Dickie, 3. Bealham, 4. Beirne, 5. Itoje (C), 6. T Curry, 7. Morgan, 8. Earl Argentina XV: 15. Carreras, 14. Isgro, 13. Cinti, 12. Piccardo, 11. Mendy, 10. Albornoz, 9. Garcia; 1. Vivas, 2. Montoya (C), 3. Scalvi, 4. Molina, 5. Rubiolo, 6. Matera, 7. Gonzalez, 8. Oviedo.


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