Lions Preview Ready to Roar ON SALE NOW
Once every four years something very special happens in Rugby Union - a Lions tour!
To get you in the mood, the Daily Mirror have produced this stunning, in-depth preview of the tour - Ready to Roar!
And the 2025 edition is a mouthwatering prospect as Andy Farrell takes his team Down Under to face the Aussies.
From the stunning wins over New Zealand and South Africa in the 1970s, to the famous Martin Johnson-lead triumph over the Boks in 1997 and up to the modern day drama-packed tours against the Kiwis, a Lions series is never dull.
Last time out, the Lions suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of South Africa, but they will be heading to Australia this time looking to repeat the 2-1 victory they enjoyed there in 2013 under the leadership of Warren Gatland.
We have features on head coach Farrell, captain Maro Itoje youngster Henry Pollock, Marcus Smith, Jac Morgan, Sione Tuipolutu and Mack Hansen.
Every member of the squad is profiled, we take a look at the Aussies and the battle between the coaches.
There is a guide to the venues and the tour matches as well as a look back at previous tours, and some of the greatest Lions.
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Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'It's pretty nuts' - Ben Curry on his England journey ahead of Argentina tour
Aged just 18, Ben and twin brother Tom Curry were bold selections from Eddie Jones eight years ago when England travelled to Argentina deprived of a host of players on Lions duty Ben Curry can still remember the moment he understood what it meant to be on a full England tour. Aged just 18, he and twin brother Tom were bold selections from Eddie Jones eight years ago when England travelled to Argentina deprived of a host of players on Lions duty. The Sale flankers' turned 19 on that tour, and now Ben is set for his second taste of the country with England returning to South America this summer. But where he was a fresh-faced teenager who grew up very quickly last time around, the responsibilities in 2025 will look very different for Curry, who is now club captain at Sale and a senior member of Steve Borthwick's squad. Looking back at his 2017 experience, he said: 'It definitely feels like it's been eight years, that feels like an absolute lifetime ago. 'It's a lot more relaxed (now). I definitely don't panic at driving up the gates to Pennyhill (Park, England's training base in Surrey) like I used to. It's an interesting one. You probably don't actually really reflect on it every day until stuff like this happens, where it's pretty nuts. 'It wasn't just learning about rugby, it was learning about life on that tour. 'I think I was definitely different, you have to grow up quickly, you're surrounded by proper adults. 'I can't remember who I was rooming with, but he was Face Timing his children at night, I was like, this is just so weird. I was just in the Under-20s. 'It does make you grow up as a person. I'm hopefully looking to see a bit more of Argentina if I go, I think I just locked myself in my room last time. It's a lovely country.' That 2017 tour is often brought up as a sliding doors moment for the Curry twins. Ben was due to start for England against the Barbarians before withdrawing at the last minute due to back spasms. Tom replaced him and then made his debut on that tour of Argentina, with Ben travelling but not getting onto the pitch. Where his brother is now a 50-capper and set to become a two-time Lions tourist this summer, Ben has had to bide his time. But in 2025, he has seized his opportunity, the duo starting alongside each other for England for the first time during the Six Nations, with Ben Curry playing in every game of that campaign. His performances led to suggestions that he would crack Andy Farrell's Lions squad, but that was not the case – Curry revealed that he has not heard anything about a standby list. That combined with Sale missing out in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs, beaten 21-16 by Leicester Tigers last weekend, could have put a dampener on a stellar campaign, but Curry has already shifted his focus. He added: 'There's always something different to go after. Obviously, you've got to address the emotion of disappointment, but with professional sport, there's always something thrown at you next, and you can't rest, it's about just cracking on to the next thing, and I think it's really exciting. 'In five weeks, I might kind of address those emotions, but right now it's quite nice to just kind of throw yourself into something different.' As a club captain and a Six Nations ever-present, there will inevitably some leadership responsibilities heading Curry's way in the absence of regular skipper Maro Itoje, as well as vice-captains Ellis Genge and Jamie George – currently training with the Lions in Portugal. And from his own memories of being a youngster in that environment, Curry is doing all he can to help those in the same position, including 21-year-old scrum-half Charlie Bracken, the son of England World Cup winner Kyran. He explained: 'That tour was just pure panic for me. When you're 18 doing that, I remember my first session with Chris Robshaw, and I was just like medicine ball wrestling with him, I was knackered, I was thinking, this is nuts. 'He's someone I looked up to, and there were a few senior lads on that tour who really helped us out, so if I can do half of what they did for someone else, I think that would be incredible.' Next up is a home clash with a France XV before the squad fly out to Argentina. Eight years from his last experience, the fresh-faced teenager has grown up.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Bath are odds-on favourites to win the Gallagher Premiership final - while Leicester are 2/1 outsiders to upset the applecart at Twickenham
Rugby union fans have a blockbuster Gallagher Premiership final to look forward to this Saturday, as Bath and Leicester go head-to-head at Twickenham. Both teams boasted the best record this regular season - with Bath finishing atop the table, while Leicester were in second. As a result of their strong campaign, they were rewarded with a home semi-final last weekend. Bath were strong en route to a victory over Bristol in their final four showdown, with four separate try scorers helping the hosts secure a 34-20 triumph to book their place in the big dance in London. Meanwhile, Leicester's semi-final was a much tighter and tense affair - with Izaia Perese's try in the 67th minute proving the difference as the Tigers claimed a 21-16 win. As it pertains to this Saturday's final - it is Bath who are the best-backed to claim the club's seventh Premiership title, with Johann van Graan's side entering as odds-on favourites at 4/11. Conversely, Leicester are 2/1 outsiders to upset the applecart and win a record-extending 12th title since the inception of Premiership Rugby. Sky Bet odds for Bath vs Leicester (Gallagher Premiership final): Bath 4/11 Leicester 2/1 Drawn match 20/1
Wales Online
11 hours ago
- Wales Online
Warren Gatland and Owen Farrell land Lions roles alongside Welsh legends
Warren Gatland and Owen Farrell land Lions roles alongside Welsh legends The TV line-up for the Lions' first game against Argentina has been announced Owen Farrell will be in attendance at the Lions match in Dublin (Image: 2024 Getty Images ) Sky Sports have named a star-studded punditry line-up for the British & Irish Lions' clash with Argentina a week tomorrow. The famous touring side get their campaign under way against the Pumas in Dublin next Friday in a warm-up clash in preparation for their three-Test tour to Australia this summer. And broadcasters Sky, who have the rights for the series Down Under, have now announced their team for the Dublin date as well as for the full schedule, with Owen Farrell set to be among the pundits, which also includes Warren Gatland, Sam Warburton and Dan Biggar. Ronan O'Gara, Will Greenwood, Kyle Sinckler, John Barclay, Conor Murray, Nolli Waterman, Anthony Watson and Sir Ian McGeechan will also be in attendance to provide their insights. Miles Harrison will supply the commentary. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Gatland has a new job after leaving his role as Wales head coach in February (Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency ) Article continues below Warburton will be in the studio, conducting Monday Night Football-style analysis of the game. Biggar said: "A Lions tour is the pinnacle of any player's career, so to now be part of it with Sky Sports is incredibly exciting. "Being on the ground, feeling the atmosphere, and sharing that passion with fans, combined with Sky's top-tier analysis, lets us bring the game to life in a way that's insightful, but still accessible for everyone watching at home." Jonathan Licht, managing director at Sky Sports, added: "The British & Irish Lions is one of the marquee events of the sporting calendar, and for this tour we're raising the bar with an exceptional on-screen team. "From legendary Lions to recently retired greats, we've assembled a line-up of world-class talent who will bring fans closer to the action, sharing unique insights, expert analysis, and unforgettable moments. "We can't wait for the action to begin." Article continues below Farrell missed out of selection in his father's touring squad after enduring an injury-hit first season in France with Racing 92. He now looks set to re-join former club Saracens.
