Wales locked out of Lions as Curry named to start first Test
Welsh hopes of a presence in the side had rested on poacher Jac Morgan but coach Andy Farrell preferred England's Curry in the starting side with Ben Earl and Ollie Chessum covering the loose forwards on the bench.
Farrell has gone for a conventional number eight in Jack Conan at the back of the scrum with his Ireland teammate Tadhg Beirne completing the back row at blindside flanker.
1st Test | 2013 🇦🇺🦁
Step up, Alex Cuthbert ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/dgROlURogc
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 16, 2025
Scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park, fullback Hugo Keenan, winger James Lowe, lock Joe McCarthy, prop Tadhg Furlong and hooker Dan Sheehan complete an eight-strong Irish contingent in the starting side.
There was no place for Ireland's Bundee Aki in the starting centre partnership, however, with Scotland's duo of Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones lining up outside their Test teammate Finn Russell at flyhalf.
Captain Maro Itoje, right winger Tommy Freeman and prop Ellis Genge make up a four-strong English contingent with Curry but there was no place in the match day 23 for Farrell's son Owen, who joined the tour as an injury replacement.
In 1888 on the first ever Lions Tour our captain Robert Seddon tragically drowned.
We visited his grave to pay our respects to a remarkable man who lost his life on a pioneering Tour. pic.twitter.com/uKUmm61Kby
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 16, 2025
'We are entering the business end of the tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date,' Farrell said in a news release.
'We know how motivated the Wallabies will be and we know they are a well organised and dangerous side.
'It is a great occasion and a proud moment for Maro Itoje, who will captain the Test side, but also for those players who get the opportunity to represent the group on Saturday night.'
Lions Team: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Ellis Genge
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
7 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
England beat Spain in penalty shootout to win Euro 2025
Chloe Kelly fired the decisive spot kick as England beat Spain 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win Euro 2025 on Sunday, successfully defending the title they won three years ago after an enthralling encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time. Spain dominated possession and made the breakthrough in the 25th minute as Ona Batlle crossed and the England defence was caught flat-footed, allowing Mariona Caldentey to head the ball past Hannah Hampton. However, England levelled in the 57th minute, with Alessia Russo heading home from a Kelly cross. Spain continued to monopolise the ball but could not find another goal before the end of normal time, and the story continued through extra time as they probed and probed, but could not break through the English defence as the game finished 1-1. The Spaniards got the shootout off to a great start when Cata Coll saved Beth Mead's effort, but England keeper Hannah Hampton stepped up and saved from Caldentey and then from Aitana Bonmati to put England in the driving seat. Coll got Spain back into it with another one-handed stop to block Leah Williamson, but Spain substitute Salma Paralluelo then fired her kick wide of the target.
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
Bayern Munich agree deal to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz: reports
Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed to a £65.5 million deal to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz (pictured centre), providing a replacement for the injured Jamal Musiala, while Liverpool strengthens their squad with new signings including Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. Picture: Alejandro Pagni/AFP Image: Alejandro Pagni/AFP German champions Bayern Munich have agreed to sign Liverpool winger Luis Diaz in a £65.5 million ($88 million) deal, according to multiple reports on Sunday. Bayern had an initial offer of £59 million rejected by the Premier League champions last week, but their improved bid looks set to bring the Colombia international to the Allianz Arena. Diaz has reportedly been given permission to leave Liverpool's pre-season tour of Asia in order to complete a medical with Bayern. He joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 and won the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup during his time at Anfield. Lucho Diaz's Future Uncertain Amidst Speculation and Absence from Liverpool's Match Against AC Milan The 28-year--old made 50 appearances and scored 17 goals in all competitions last season as Arne Slot's team clinched the English title for the first time in five years. Diaz was left out of Liverpool's 4-2 friendly defeat against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday as speculation mounted over his future. "In Lucho's (Diaz's) situation, there's a lot of rumours around him lately and I cannot go into that," Slot said after the Milan match. "He's training really well with us but we have decided for now not to play him yet. "I'm used to talking to most of my players on a regular basis. I cannot comment much more about that.' Liverpool's Transfer Window Activity: Strengthening Attack and Defence Diaz's impending signing gives Bayern a quality replacement for Germany forward Jamal Musiala, who has been ruled out for a 'long period' after he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle at the Club World Cup this month. Liverpool have been busy in the transfer window, bolstering their attacking options with expensive swoops for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz and Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike. Defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez arrived from Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively, while goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joined from Valencia. The Reds are also believed to be interested in making a bid for Newcastle's £150 million-rated striker Alexander Isak. AFP
eNCA
8 hours ago
- eNCA
Piastri wins Belgian GP, extends championship lead
Oscar Piastri held off his McLaren teammate Lando Norris to win the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc came third as Piastri stretched his lead in the drivers' standings over Norris to 16 points. Heavy rain delayed the 13th round of the season by 80 minutes, with organisers eventually allowing a rolling start after four laps behind the safety car as the sun finally appeared. Pole sitter Norris was quickly passed by Piastri as Norris complained he had a problem with his car's battery. Piastri then produced a controlled race from the front to lead home McLaren's sixth 1-2 of the season. "I knew lap one was going to be my best chance of winning the race," said Piastri. "Rest of race we managed really well," the Australian added. "Oscar did a good job, nothing more to say," said Norris. Max Verstappen, winner of Saturday's sprint, took fourth in Laurent Mekies' first race weekend as Red Bull team principal after the sacking of Christian Horner a fortnight ago.
