logo
When do the British and Irish Lions play Australia? Full tour schedule, kick-off times and how to watch on TV

When do the British and Irish Lions play Australia? Full tour schedule, kick-off times and how to watch on TV

Yahoo08-05-2025

The British and Irish Lions tour is almost upon us with Andy Farrell's squad set to be revealed.
The quadrennial trip this year heads for Australia for a three-Test series against the Wallabies which forms the jewels in the wider crown of a 10-match itinerary.
First formed in 1888, the Lions brings together the best rugby players in Britain and Ireland to take on the three Southern Hemisphere giants (New Zealand, Australia and South Africa) in turn at four year intervals.
This summer's business also includes a one-off encounter with Argentina in Dublin as the touring side plays in Ireland for the first time.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the tour.
The British and Irish Lions tour begins officially on Friday 20 June, when the Lions face Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It will conclude after the final Test in Sydney on Saturday 2 August.
All matches kick off at 11am BST unless stated
Friday 20 June - Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium) - 8pm BST
Saturday 28 June - Lions v Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
Wednesday 2 July - Lions v Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
Saturday 5 July - Lions v NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
Wednesday 9 July - Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
Saturday 12 July - Lions v Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Saturday 19 July - Lions v Australia, first Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
Tuesday 22 July - Lions v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
Saturday 26 July - Lions v Australia, second Test, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
Saturday 2 August - Lions v Australia, third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch all of the action live on Sky Sports, the broadcast partner of the British and Irish Lions. A live stream will be available for subscribers via Sky Go.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell leads a broad group of assistants that are set to work collaboratively on tour rather than have specific duties for one area of the game. Included within this group are England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth and Ireland counterpart Andrew Goodman, as well as former Ireland and Lions fly half Johnny Sexton.
Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty and Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel should have responsibility for matters up front, along with Simon Easterby - a tourist in 2005 as a player, the former flanker filled in for Farrell with Ireland during the Six Nations. Aled Walters, head of strength and conditioning, is another key recruit from the Irish staff while David Nucifora - now with the Scottish Rugby Union after a successful stint in Ireland - takes up a performance manager role.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Man City signs France playmaker Cherki to usher in start of post-De Bruyne era
Man City signs France playmaker Cherki to usher in start of post-De Bruyne era

Fox Sports

time9 minutes ago

  • Fox Sports

Man City signs France playmaker Cherki to usher in start of post-De Bruyne era

Associated Press Manchester City kickstarted the post-Kevin De Bruyne era by signing maverick France playmaker Rayan Cherki from Lyon for 36 million euros ($41 million) on Tuesday, in time to play in the Club World Cup. The 21-year-old Cherki, regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in French soccer, scored a brilliant volley and starred as a substitute on his international debut for France against Spain in the Nations League semifinals last week. A product of Lyon's renowned academy like Karim Benzema, Cherki has been on the radar of Europe's biggest clubs for a while. He came close to signing for Paris Saint-Germain in the last offseason but the move fell through. Now he is headed for City and is set to fill the role vacated by De Bruyne, the team's long-time star who has been released after 10 years' service. With Netherlands midfielder Tijjani Reijnders also reported by British media to be joining City, the club appears to be re-energizing a midfield that was filled last season with players in their 30s like Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva. Kovacic has undergone Achilles surgery and is unavailable for the new-look, 32-team Club World Cup, which starts on Saturday. City in the same group as Juventus, Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca and its first match is on June 18. Cherki's background Cherki, the youngest-ever goal scorer for Lyon in a competitive match, quickly impressed in youth competitions. He made his Ligue 1 debut at just 16 years old in October 2019 and scored his first senior goal a few weeks later in a French Cup match. The attacking midfielder scored eight goals and provided 11 assists — the most in Ligue 1 — this season and can play either on the wing or as a playmaker. According to L'Equipe newspaper, Lyon will retain 15% of the rights to any capital gain from a future transfer and can expect a further 2 million euros ($2.3 million) in bonuses between now and 2030. The transfer of Cherki comes a day after Algeria left back Rayan Ait-Nouri joined City from Wolverhampton for $42 million. Bettinelli signs as backup Also Tuesday, City signed Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea as a backup goalkeeper. City made the move after announcing the departure of long-term No. 3 goalie Scott Carson on Monday with his contract due to expire. Bettinelli has joined on a one-year deal and in time to be involved in the Club World Cup in the United States starting on Saturday. 'His experience and mentality will hopefully complement our other senior goalkeepers while ensuring he's always ready to perform when called upon himself," City director of football Hugo Viana said. ___ AP soccer:

Rourke, Beverette and Riders' line earn first CFL weekly honour roll awards
Rourke, Beverette and Riders' line earn first CFL weekly honour roll awards

Hamilton Spectator

time40 minutes ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Rourke, Beverette and Riders' line earn first CFL weekly honour roll awards

TORONTO - B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, Montreal Alouettes linebacker Tyrice Beverette and the Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive line all earned top marks in the CFL's first weekly honour roll. Rourke was the top offensive player with a grade of 90.8 after leading the Lions to a season-opening 31-14 win over the Edmonton Elks. Rourke completed 27-of-36 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns. ​Beverette earned top defensive player honours with an 85.2 grade. He had four tackles and an interception over 50 total defensive snaps while also recording a 87.7 grade on 23 coverage snaps in Montreal's 28-10 victory over the Toronto Argonauts. Saskatchewan's offensive line had a 67.9 unit grade in the Riders' 31-26 win over the Ottawa Redblacks. Jermarcus Hardrick (72.0), Payton Collins (71.3) and Trevon Tate (69.0) were the top three performers while Hardrick also earned the top individual mark. The CFL honour roll highlights players in nine positions based on data points registered and compiled by Pro Football Focus, an American sports analytics company. The other individual winners included: Saskatchewan running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (80.3); Riders receiver Samuel Emilus (88.9); Lions defensive lineman Mathieu Betts (83.2); Lions defensive back Garry Peters (84.1); Hamilton Tiger-Cats returner Isaiah Wooden (90.3); Elks punter Cody Grace (74.4); and special-teams player Tyron Vrede of the Ottawa Redblacks (91.3). This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025.

Katie Boulter overcomes serving woes to battle into Queen's second round
Katie Boulter overcomes serving woes to battle into Queen's second round

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Katie Boulter overcomes serving woes to battle into Queen's second round

Katie Boulter is through to the second round - Getty Images /Luke Walker Katie Boulter served nine double faults but still had enough to beat Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6, 1-6, 6-4 to reach the second round at Queen's. A day after enjoying victory as part of the 'Boultercanu' double act, this time around, Boulter had to dig deep on Andy Murray Arena. She powered down five aces and took the first set on a tie-break but her serve was not as reliable in the second half of the contest. Advertisement Momentum shifted constantly in the deciding set, with four consecutive breaks of serve, and at one point, Boulter could be heard yelling 'thank you' after saving a break point. In the end, the British No 1 had just enough to pip her Australian opponent and delight the home crowd, who filed into the 7,700 seater stadium. Elsewhere, Heather Watson secured a fine straight sets win over Yulia Putintseva – prevailing 6-4, 6-3 against a player ranked 137 places above her – with the reward a showdown against Elena Rybakina in the second round. Full report to come... 03:48 PM BST Next up Can Raducanu make it two wins from two for British tennis in singles? Advertisement Click here to follow Will Conroy's game-by-game coverage. 03:41 PM BST Boulter reacts I was battling really hard out there. I know how good Ajla is. She has made many quarter-finals at slams and she is very good on this surface. It is never easy coming straight from the clay to the grass and I'm just happy to get through and feel very grateful for all of you guys [for the support]. It was really difficult. I did feel like I was battling my own mind at times, this surface can do that to you. I didn't feel like I served that great, and I have room to improve, but I'm just happy to be through to the second round. I came out yesterday to watch Andy get his first court [named after him], which is special in itself. To get the women back here [at Queen's] feels very special. It's actually something I dreamt of, having come here the last couple of years to watch the men play, so I'm just really grateful to be on this court. 03:39 PM BST WATCH: The winning moment for Boulter 03:30 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 6-4 Tomljanovic* Nervy double fault by Tomljanovic to start the game. Low backhand pass by Boulter, Tomljanovic volley sits up nicely for Boulter to step in and drill a backhand down the line, 0-30. Boulter shanks a forehand wide, 15-30. Deep return by Boulter rushes Tomljanovic and Australian sends a backhand long, two match points. Backhand to backhand exchange between the players, Boulter gets the edge and drills a backhand down the line which is too hot for Tomljanovic and her forehand flies long. Advertisement GAME SET MATCH BOULTER!! 03:25 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 5-4 Tomljanovic Boulter has got just 52 per cent of her first serves into play and it's no shock when she hits another double fault, 15-15. A first serve down the T is too much for Tomljanovic and prompts a big roar from the Briton, 40-15. And she completes a gritty hold with a backhand winner down the line. Now she can get after Tomljanovic's serve in the next game. 03:22 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 4-4 Tomljanovic* It's been 20 minutes since we've had a hold of serve but we finally have one and it goes the way of Tomljanovic. She holds to 15 when Boulter sprays a backhand wide. 03:17 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 4-3 Tomljanovic Boulter places a forehand will wide of the court, 15-30. Boulter backhand into the net and two chances for Tomljanovic to hit right back. Advertisement Deep Tomljanovic return and Boulter nets again on the backhand wing. Tomljanovic breaks. 03:14 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 4-2 Tomljanovic* This match has been short on quality but filled with drama. So it's no surprise that Tomljanovic is broken again after a double fault. Can Boulter hold serve now? 03:08 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 3-2 Tomljanovic Huge 'come on' from Boulter after she rips a forehand into the corner, 30-15. Back comes Tomljanovic with an enormous forehand of her own, 30-all. Tomljanovic taking big swings again and she rushes Boulter into an error. Boulter backhand long and we have another twist in this topsy turvy match. Advertisement Tomljanovic breaks. 03:03 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 3-1 Tomljanovic* Boulter's momentum continues and now Tomljanovic is facing two more break points on her serve. Boulter keeps herself in the point, turns defence into attack and gets the forehand error from Tomljanovic. Boulter breaks. 02:59 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 2-1 Tomljanovic No problems on serve in this game for Boulter. She holds to love with a forehand winner and I'm wondering where has this been for the last 40 minutes. She is like a completely different player. 02:56 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-6, 1-1 Tomljanovic* Tomljanovic is playing with so much freedom and giving Boulter no time to react as she moves to 40-15. But all of a sudden, her level drops and she now faces a break point after a double fault. Advertisement And Boulter bounces back, going on the attack and off a short ball by Tomljanovic, she flicks a forehand into the corner. 02:51 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-6, 0-1 Tomljanovic Double fault by Boulter to start the set. She's really struggling on serve at the moment. Excellent depth from Tomljanovic and Boulter nets a forehand, 15-30. Yet another double fault means Tomljanovic has two break points. She saves the first break point and then the second when Tomljanovic sprays a forehand return log. Aggressive shotmaking by Tomljanovic. An approach to the net is good and she puts a forehand volley away comfortably. Third break point. Advertisement Tense rally ensues and Boulter blinks first, pushing a forehand long. Tomljanovic breaks to claim her sixth game in a row. 02:43 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-6 Tomljanovic* Shanked forehand by Boulter flies high and wide of the court, 30-all. Timely first serve by Tomljanovic and Boulter nets her return. Tomljanovic ace down the T and Boulter will need three sets to win this. 02:41 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-5 Tomljanovic Another double fault by Boulter, 0-30. But crucially she hits back to move to 30-all. Deep Tomljanovic return rushes Boulter into another error, break point. Tomljanovic duly gets the double break when Boulter nets a backhand. 02:35 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-4 Tomljanovic* Tomljanovic has having a purple patch right now. Striking the ball very clean, with good margin for error. She crushes a forehand down the line to hold. 02:33 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-3 Tomljanovic Three errors in a row by Boulter and Tomljanovic has three break points. Boulter saves the first and has a chance to save the second but places her backhand into the tramlines. Advertisement The shot didn't need to be that good. She misjudged it and that's proven costly. Tomljanovic breaks. 02:30 PM BST 'The Pimms jugs have started to make an appearance' As we get further into the afternoon the pimms jugs have started to make an appearance, as have more fans. The Andy Murray Arena is slowly filling up to watch Boulter in action as she manages to survive another double fault. 02:29 PM BST Boulter 7-6, 1-2 Tomljanovic* Stress free service hold from Tomljanovic as she showcases her power. The Australian has not given up on this match. 02:25 PM BST Boulter* 7-6, 1-1 Tomljanovic Deep return by Tomljanovic and Boulter slices a defensive backhand into the net. 15-30. The sun has come out in west London and is posing a small problem for Boulter with her ball toss. Advertisement Boulter gets low and whips a backhand into the corner for a winner, 40-30. Textbook shot making by the Briton. But she follows it up with a double fault. Boulter is making heavy weather of the service game, she is up to five double faults now. But she finds a much needed ace, the ball arching away from 'Tomljanovic', to hold. 02:17 PM BST Second set: Boulter 7-6, 0-1 Tomljanovic* Boulter will be keen to put her foot on the accelerator and break Tomljanovic here but the Australian resists and holds. Katie Boulter took the opening set - Getty Images/Dan Istitene 02:11 PM BST TIE-BREAK - Boulter 7-6 Tomljanovic Boulter backhand into the net, 3-4. Tomljanovic forehand into the net, 4-4. Good first serve by Boulter unreturned. 5-4. Advertisement 'Come on' from Boulter after Tomljanovic puts a backhand long, 6-4. Boulter seals the set with a cross court forehand winner, 7-4. 02:08 PM BST TIE-BREAK - Boulter 6-6 Tomljanovic Tomljanovic return wide, 1-0. Tomljanovic ace, 1-1.A jammy drop shot winner from Boulter, 2-1. Boulter double fault, 2-2. Boulter hits back with an ace, 3-2. Boulter return wide, 3-3. 02:04 PM BST Boulter 6-6 Tomljanovic* Must hold service game for the Australian if she wants to force a tie-break. Good second serve by Tomljanovic, Boulter somehow gets the ball into play and Tomljanovic nets a short forehand, 0-30. Class by Tomljanovic to hit a deft volley off a Boulter backhand cross. And her big serve keeps her out of damage. Advertisement Into a tie-break we go!!! 01:57 PM BST Boulter* 6-5 Tomljanovic When Boulter gets her first serve in, she is in tough to bear. Especially on this serve. A couple of double fault put Boulter under threat by 40-30 but she holds again when Tomljanovic strikes a wild forehand long. 01:54 PM BST Boulter 5-5 Tomljanovic* Tomljanovic is well in this match now. Similar game styles, cancelling each other out. The Australian stands firm and prolongs the set. 01:51 PM BST Boulter* 5-4 Tomljanovic Tomljanovic responds again and get break points at 15-40. Boulter saves the first with an ace but Tomljanovic breaks again when Boulter sends a backhand long. Advertisement This has been a topsy-turvy match so far. 01:48 PM BST Boulter 5-3 Tomljanovic* A double fault and backhand into the net gives Boulter a look at breaking. Tomljanovic beats Boulter with a backhand cross court but can't find the sideline. Three break points. Tomljanovic saves the first but Boulter earns the break after a forehand error. 01:43 PM BST Boulter* 4-3 Tomljanovic Clenched fist and a 'come on' shout from Boulter after a crushing a cross court forehand pass for a winner. forehand by Boulter is punished by Tomljanovic, who drills a flat backhand into the corner, deuce. Boom. Tomljanovic nails a backhand winner earn a break point. Saved again by Boulter, who finds a first serve and draws the error. Advertisement Another chance for Tomljanovic to break here. Brilliant second serve by Boulter into the corner to see out the danger. And she escapes with the game when Tomljanovic strikes a forehand long. 01:34 PM BST Boulter 3-3 Tomljanovic* Tomljanovic follows Boulter with a comfortable service game of their own. Andy Murray Arena is gradually livening up. 01:33 PM BST 'Crowd is quite subdued' After the early breaks of serve, both players just seem to be settling into this match and the occasion. The crowd is quite subdued, even when Boulter does win a point and the main arena is maybe only a touch over half full. 01:28 PM BST Boulter* 3-2 Tomljanovic First two aces of the match for Boulter as she moves to 40-0. When her serve is flowing and finding its spot, it is very tough to deal with. 01:26 PM BST Boulter 2-2 Tomljanovic* Boulter's first strike tennis is causing some problems from Tomljanovic. The Australian is being rushed by the length of the Briton's shots. Must she manage to come through another game. 01:21 PM BST Boulter* 2-1 Tomljanovic Boulter's boyfriend Alex de Minuar is sitting courtside and showing his support. He applauds as Boulter completes the first hold of serve to love. Advertisement A glimpse of what she is capable of on this surface. 01:18 PM BST Boulter 1-1 Tomljanovic* Back comes Boulter. She earns two immediate break point chance. A deep backhand rushes Tomljanovic and the Aussie's backhand drifts wide. Boulter breaks amd we're back level. 01:14 PM BST First set: Katie Boulter* 0-1 Ajla Tomljanovic (*denotes server) This will be a tough opening test for Boulter against Tomljanovic. This is the third meeting and Tomljanovic leads the head-to-head 2-1. Long lay-offs from injury have hampered her progress but she is capable of making things difficult. Fittingly, the Australian earns a break point here after a deep return forces the Briton into an error. Boulter saves it but gifts Tomljanovic another chance with a backhand into the net. Advertisement Tomljanovic's return is short and Boulter has to scamper forward. She gets there in time but whips her forehand long. Tomljanovic breaks. 12:57 PM BST 'Ominous grey clouds' The rain is holding off so far as the fans await the arrival of Katie Boulter onto centre court – or the recently renamed Andy Murray Arena. It is under half full at the moment, but more might come in throughout the afternoon. However, more ominously are the grey clouds currently sitting overhead, although it is not raining – at least not yet. 12:56 PM BST Sign up to our Telegraph Sport newsletter 12:44 PM BST British No 1 in action Hello and welcome to coverage from Queen's, where a women's tournament is being staged for the first time since 1973. Advertisement Our focus here will be on the British No 1 Katie Boulter, who takes on Australian Ajla Tomljanovic on Andy Murray Arena. A high-quality field has been assembled in south west London including Olympic champion Quinwen Zheng, reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, current Australian Open champion Madison Keys and former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina. The inaugural version of the revamped event will boast total prize money of $1.415 million, the highest for a WTA 500 event of its draw size on the Tour, with the singles champion receiving a cool $164,000 and Boulter says the sense of excitement is sweeping through. 'You can feel how excited everyone is,' she said. 'Getting the chance to play here is an absolute privilege so I'm going to enjoy every minute of it. Advertisement 'I've come here quite a bit watching tennis and I've got some good memories of coming and watching Alex (De Minaur) over the last few years. I've always said to myself, I wish there was a women's event here, I wish I had the chance to play on this court. 'You can feel the history, you can feel how incredible it is. I've seen this court packed and obviously it's new this year, which is going to be a really interesting moment for me because I think I'm going to feel a lot of support from the British crowd. I'm going to get a lot of emotions coming out of me at that point.' Grass is a surface where Boulter has secured some of her best results in the past – namely, her back-to-back titles in Nottingham over the last two seasons. In her first event back from the clay, the Briton is hoping she can build some momentum this week to kick-start her favourite time of the season. Advertisement 'Coming into the grass court season it's a completely clean slate,' Boulter explained. 'For the first week on grass there are no expectations. Obviously coming to a WTA 500 at an incredible event it does bring out stress a little bit more and I want to do well here, but I know it's my first week and I'm trying to build towards Wimbledon as well.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store