
British and Irish Lions urged to ‘create moments' ahead of Australia tour opener
The Lions are eager to kickstart their tour after falling 28-24 to Argentina in the Dublin opener as they build towards the Test series against the Wallabies, which begins in Brisbane on July 19.
Although they may be the worst performing of Australia's Super Rugby sides this season, the Force have been reinforced by the presence of six Wallabies who have been released for the Optus Stadium showdown.
📋 @westernforce have named a side featuring six current @wallabies to face the Lions 🇦🇺
Tap the link below for your guide to Saturday's opposition 🔗#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 26, 2025
Scrum coach John Fogarty highlights the importance of the Lions rewarding their supporters – more than 30,000 are expected to head Down Under – after seeing the Aviva Stadium turn red last Friday.
'The lads need to create moments for people to get behind,' said Fogarty, who oversaw a dominant scrum performance against the Pumas.
'Whether it's in a scrum or off a line-out or attacking play or defensive play, we need to make sure we're creating moments that capture the minds of the people that matter most. That's the plan.
'It's an amazing thing, the Lions. You get behind it instantly. It was disappointing against Argentina because you feel like you're letting people down a little bit due to the performance and the result.'
Fogarty believes the Lions will be better for another week together, enabling them to build familiarity with each other.
'There were little things around mentality. Sometimes you come into a game, it's a big occasion and you're in your head a bit and not playing the game on instinct,' he said.
'That's why this week has been so important, we've been getting more cohesive and a bit more in synch so that come game day we can play off instincts. It should all become more natural to us.'

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Scotsman
8 hours ago
- Scotsman
Ben White's rollercoaster Lions journey as Jodie Burrage is proven right on Scotland star
Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ben White's girlfriend Jodie Burrage always felt he'd get there in the end but the couple went through a fair bit of soul searching before his call-up for the British and Irish Lions. The scrum-half travelled on Monday from Scotland's team base in Whangārei on New Zealand's North Island to link up with the Lions in Australia. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He won't now be involved with Gregor Townsend's squad in Saturday's game against the Māori All Blacks. Instead, White could be lining up against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney. Scotland scrum-half Ben White has been called up by the British and Irish Lions. | Getty Images He received the Lions call after Tomos Williams' tour was ended by an injury sustained in Saturday's win over Western Force in Perth. It's the cruellest misfortune for the Welshman, who contributed two tries to the 54-7 victory but pulled his hamstring scoring the second. For White, it is ambition realised. The Toulon player was devastated when he was overlooked by Andy Farrell for his original Lions squad. Burrage, his tennis star girlfriend, had to comfort him and the snub took its toll on her preparations for the French Open. 'It has been tough for Ben, the last few weeks, with certain decisions, but he's doing the best he can,' she said at the time. 'It was a horrible day.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But Burrage, who opens her Wimbledon singles campaign on Tuesday against the American Caty McNally, didn't give up hope, and neither did White. Jodie Burrage will open her Wimbledon singles campaign on Tuesday. | Getty Images 'It's not his last opportunity to get into that team,' she said. 'Ben will keep working hard. He'll get there at some point.' I haven't stopped shaking She was proven right and the couple now find themselves at the pinnacle of their sports on opposite sides of the world. White, 27, was overcome by the sudden call-up. He received a call from Farrell at 9.30 on Monday morning in New Zealand and was in a car on the way to the airport half an hour later to board a flight to Australia at 12.15. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's pretty crazy, he called me this morning and I haven't stopped shaking since,' said the scrum-half. 'It's an incredible honour, I'm really excited. I called my mum and dad straight away, I don't think they could quite believe it. They were obviously just incredibly proud. Ben White poses with a Lions jersey just before leaving the Scotland camp and flying to Australia. | Scottish Rugby 'It was just a great phone call to have. I've not thought about it too much as yet. It's something you dream of, but you never really think you'll do. I'm just incredibly proud.' White, capped 25 times by Scotland, now hopes to use his initial disappointment at being overlooked by the Lions as motivational fuel. 'Obviously watching the squad being announced was tough, but it was an experience that I can put in the locker room,' he said. 'I knew I just had to do what I could and try and play well for my club, Toulon and obviously come here [to New Zealand]. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cheered off by his Scotland team-mates 'I was really excited to be on tour with Scotland. I was focused on that and if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I guess someone's looking out for me upstairs and I've fallen on my feet.' While Scotland will miss him, there was only goodwill in the camp when news broke of his call-up and he has been backed to make an impact with the Lions. 'All the players were in the lobby area [of the team hotel],' revealed Fergus Pringle, Scotland's tour forwards coach. 'And everyone was cheering and happy. I think everyone just literally had time to say, well done, shake his hand, give him a hug and then we were off to training. 'It's a big thing when that happens. You've seen some of the reactions of people getting selected when it was first announced. I'm sure it was just a bit of a shock at first. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Warr cry 'He can make an impact. To get called up, you look at the people he's competing with. He was really good in the Six Nations and he's a really good player. It's just about hopefully getting those opportunities to show what he can do. I'm sure he'll put his best foot forward when he gets the opportunity and do really well.' Scotland have called up Gus Warr to replace White and the Sale Sharks scrum-half is expected to arrive in New Zealand on Wednesday. Warr, 25, made his Scotland bow during last summer's tour of the Americas but was overlooked for the Autumn Nations Series and the Six Nations. He scored two tries on his Scotland debut in the 73-12 win over Canada in Ottawa 12 months ago and also featured against Chile in Santiago a fortnight later but has not been capped since. Gus Warr on the attack during his Scotland debut against Canada in July 2024 in Ottawa. | Getty Images for Scottish Rugby Warr is the second change to the original squad after Rory Hutchinson replaced Matt Currie who was ruled out through injury. 'He performed really well on the summer tour last year,' said Pringle. 'From his perspective, it's tough on him not to get picked initially because he's been in really good form for Sale. It's a great opportunity for him to come in and join the squad, just like it was for Hutch, getting called up a bit later. With Matt Currie not coming along, it's just a chance that he deserves and I'm sure he'll take it.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vying for the No 9 jersey with Glasgow pair Warr takes the complement of scrum-halves in Gregor Townsend's squad back up to three and he will vie with Glasgow Warriors pair George Horne and Jamie Dobie for the No 9 jersey on the three-match tour. After the game against the Maori, Scotland will travel to Suva to play Fiji on July 12 then return to New Zealand to face Samoa in Auckland on July 18.


Wales Online
10 hours ago
- Wales Online
Tonight's rugby news as big new Welsh rugby signing to face Lions as new player flies in
Tonight's rugby news as big new Welsh rugby signing to face Lions as new player flies in The latest rugby news from Wales and beyond. Ospreys-bound Ryan Smith. (Image: (Photo by) ) Your evening rugby headlines on Monday, June 30. Welsh rugby signing to face Lions New Welsh rugby signing Ryan Smith is set to line up against the Lions on Wednesday. The lock has agreed a deal to join Ospreys next season, but has been named among the replacements for Queensland Reds in their clash against Andy Farrell's side. Wallaby Jock Campbell will captain Smith and the Reds against the Lions, who will be playing their second tour match on Australian soil. The 6ft 6in lock was confirmed to be heading to Wales in April, and will add significant experience to the Ospreys pack. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Wales in Japan and the Lions in Australia. Speaking about his move in April, Smith said: "I'm extremely grateful for my time at the Queensland Reds and for everyone at the club that has played a part in my development to this point. It's important for me to repay that by giving my all until the end of the season and leaving on a high note. Article continues below "There is a great opportunity here for me to test myself in a new environment, which is always a challenge, but that is something that drives me as a player and person. "It's an exciting time to be joining the Ospreys, they're playing some really attractive rugby under Mark Jones and I'm looking forward to being a part of that." Gibson-Park: Russell partnership to flourish By By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Brisbane Jamison Gibson-Park believes his half-back alliance with Finn Russell will develop quickly as the British and Irish Lions prepare to unleash the much-hyped combination for the first time. Gibson-Park and Russell form a creative axis for Wednesday's clash against the Queensland Reds after the Ireland scrum-half was given the green light to make his comeback from a glute injury. As the pre-tour favourites to start the Test series against Australia in the number nine and 10 jerseys, expectations are high for the partnership even if they will have been limited to a single training session together ahead of the Brisbane showdown. In a sign of the urgency to deploy them in tandem, especially after Tomos Williams was ruled out of the tour by a hamstring injury, Russell will be starting his second game in five days. Andy Farrell has urged caution over anticipation levels, stating they will be 'all singing, all dancing everything going to plan, but that won't be the case', but the ultimate fantasy pairing in British and Irish rugby is ready to shine. 'We know each other pretty well – we have played against each other enough,' Gibson-Park said ahead of his first outing with the Scotland fly-half. 'Myself and Finn have already had conversations and hopefully we don't have to change too much up, just play footy like we normally do. 'For all the stuff you see of Finn and his ability to break a game open, he's pretty calculated in the way he manages the game as well, so it will make my job easier hopefully. 'There is a gelling period with any nine and 10 combination. When you are largely in charge of driving the game there's going to be a bit of a feeling out period, but it has been good and hopefully we can see it out there on Wednesday.' Russell arrived into Lions camp having piloted Bath to the Gallagher Premiership title and Gibson-Park has since got to know a former rival who is more studious than his joyful on-field persona suggests. 'Finn's a hugely impressive player. Every team he is in, he has a huge impact,' he said. 'He plays the game with a smile on his face and that's refreshing to see sometimes. But you guys don't see him in the meeting rooms, so there is a serious side to him. 'He understands the impact he can have on a team and that's pretty important here.' Farrell says the duo have found ways to make up for their lack of game time together. 'They understand one another and understood each other's traits even before they got on the plane because that is what players do,' he said. 'They look out for how the best do things. They are two characters who want to see the game from similar eyes as far as where space is. 'They have attacking mindsets but they both know how important game control is.' 'Honoured' Ben White flies in for Lions duty By Anthony Brown, PA Ben White revealed he was shaking with excitement after getting the call to leave Scotland's summer tour squad and join up with the British and Irish Lions. The Toulon scrum-half was preparing to go out and train with the Scots at their base in Whangarei, New Zealand on Monday morning before receiving a phone-call from Lions head coach Andy Farrell inviting him to Australia for Lions duty following the injury-enforced withdrawal of Welshman Tomos Williams. In an interview with Scottish Rugby just before he left to fly to Queensland, 27-year-old White said: 'It's pretty crazy, he called me this morning and I haven't stopped shaking since. 'It's an incredible honour, I'm really excited. I called my mum and dad straight away, I don't think they could quite believe it. They were obviously just incredibly proud. 'It was just a great phone call to have. I've not thought about it too much as yet. It's something you dream of, but you never really think you'll do. I'm just incredibly proud.' White – capped 25 times by Scotland since his debut in 2022 – admitted he was disappointed not to be included in the initial Lions squad. 'Obviously watching the squad being announced was tough, but it was an experience that I can put in the locker room,' he said. 'I knew I just had to do what I could and try and play well for my club, Toulon and obviously come here (to New Zealand). 'I was really excited to be on tour with Scotland. I was focused on that and if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I guess someone's looking out for me upstairs and I've fallen on my feet.' Scotland forwards coach Fergus Pringle is hopeful that White will not be the last player to be summoned from Gregor Townsend's squad by the Lions. 'I think Ben's not the only player that was probably close to getting picked initially and just missed out,' he said. 'He was really consistent over the Six Nations and over the season so everyone knew he deserved an opportunity but it happened pretty quickly to be honest. 'Andy Farrell phoned and the next thing this morning, Gregor (Townsend) was telling the team and the boys are buzzing and cheering and then Ben's off and we're off to the pitch to go and get training. It was just great to see the reaction of the boys and also his reaction was good. 'Lions tours are like any tours, there's always going to be injuries, as we've seen already. So like with Ben's situation, when Tomos Williams hobbles off with his hamstring and it doesn't look good, you're thinking, 'OK, maybe there's a chance here'. So it could easily happen again.' Scotland have called up Sale scrum-half Gus Warr to fill White's place in the squad for their three matches against Maori All Blacks, Fiji and Samoa. 'It's a great opportunity for him,' said Pringle. 'He performed really well on the summer tour last year and from his perspective, a bit like Ben, it was tough on him not to get picked initially because he's been on real good form for Sale. It's a chance that he deserves and I'm sure he'll take it.' Wales player blown away by call-up Eighteen-year-old Seren Lockwood "couldn't believe it" after she was called up to the Wales squad ahead of the Women's World Cup. Sean Lynn named his 45-strong extended training squad earlier this month, with a number of uncapped players included in the collective. Alongside Lockwood were the likes of Lucy Isaac, Katherine Baverstock, Stella Orrin and more. The former Whitchurch High School student came through the ranks at Cardiff Quins as a young teenager, and has now made her first step towards the World Cup, and is hoping to impress boss Lynn. "When I got the call from Sean to tell me that I was in the extended squad I couldn't really believe it to be honest," explained Lockwood to RugbyPass. "It really was a 'wow' moment for me. Once I had taken in the news, after I got of the phone the first thing I did was pick it up again and call my parents because they have been my biggest supporters over the years and they were just as excited as me about the news. "Coming into camp I already knew a few of the girls from the Welsh environment…so that was good, but it still felt a bit strange and a bit like the first day of a new school term. "But once things got going, I settled in pretty quickly. I have always enjoyed challenging myself and I feel the experiences I have had over the last couple of years have helped me to feel ready to be here and I am just trying to give my best in every training session and see where it takes me." She was a 'player of national interest' during the Six Nations, and despite not being part of the official squad, she, along with others, spent time training with the first team. Speaking about her aspirations, Lockwood said: "My goal is to play for Wales, that is my dream and is something I am working hard to try and achieve. Article continues below "If I can reach that at some point it would be a highlight of my career, in fact a highlight of my life."


Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Millwall slapped with fine and put on ‘extended action plan' after homophobic chants towards Ben Chilwell
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLWALL have been fined £15,000 by the FA after their fans made homophobic chants towards Chelsea star Ben Chilwell. Lions supporters were heard shouting a homophobic slur during their FA Cup clash at Selhurst Park in March while the left-back was on loan at Crystal Palace. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Chilwell was at the receiving end of homophobic chants from Millwall fans Credit: Getty 3 Millwall fans were slammed by the FA for their behaviour Credit: Getty 3 A section of Millwall fans during the game Credit: Rex FA big-wigs have also put the Championship club on an 'extended action plan' which requires them to do more work to eradicate all forms of discrimination. The chants were directed at Chilwell in the fifth and 20th minutes of a fiery fifth-round tie that Palace ran out 3-1 winners. Millwall supporters were also slammed by the FA for chanting 'Let him die' at Palace star Jean-Philipe Matata while he lay stricken on the ground after a horror challenge from keeper Liam Roberts, who was sent off. Matata needed 10 minutes of treatment before being taken to hospital with a nasty gash on his head that required 25 stitches. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS MILLIE DUMPED ME TOO Fresh twist in England ace Millie Bright's 'complicated' love life The Millwall keeper later apologised to Matata for his tackle. While the South London club were condemned by the FA for their fans' behaviour at Selhurst Park, they did praise and accept their efforts in tackling discrimination. In a written statement the FA said the Lions 'exceed the requirements' set out for clubs to be anti-discriminatory and said they should be encouraged to continue this work. The FA's extended action plan for Millwall covers communication ahead of games about their stance on anti-discrimination, sending their own stewards to high-risk games and ensuring they have an equality, diversity and inclusion committee. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK They also want the Lions to put together an article each month to summarise their community and EDI work. A Lions spokesman said: 'Millwall FC condemns all forms of discrimination and acknowledges the FA's decision. Eberechi Eze to Tottenham LATEST | Transfers Exposed 'The club will continue to do all it can to tackle discriminatory abuse through its equality steering committee and dedicated anti-discrimination campaign All 'Wall. 'The term 'Chelsea rent boy' is officially recognised as a homophobic slur and is condemned by the club. 'Since January 2022 the chant has been classified as a prosecutable offence by the Crown Prosecution Service for anyone found using it. Anyone identified in doing so will be banned. 'The club reaffirms its zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discrimination. Such behaviour has no place in society and is entirely at odds with the values Millwall stands for.