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BBC News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
All you need to know about Lions v Argentina
The British and Irish Lions kick off their 2025 tour against Argentina in Dublin on will be the first match the Lions have played in Ireland and one of six warm-up games they will play ahead of the three-match Test against the game against the Pumas, the Lions will fly to Perth and meet Western Force on 28 June with the first Test against Australia taking place in Brisbane on 19 Argentina's form, to team news and how to follow the game on BBC Sport - here's all you need to know. When is Lions v Argentina? The Lions face Argentina on Friday 20 June, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with kick-off set for 20:00 BST. How can I follow the game on BBC Sport? You can follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app, with build-up starting from 19:00 BST. There will also be plenty of reaction and analysis. Make sure to follow BBC Sport's dedicated British and Irish Lions game is being shown live on Sky Sports, S4C and TG4. Argentina's recent form Argentina are ranked fifth in the world and took three wins from their six matches in last year's Rugby have beaten three of the four teams above them in the past 12 the only higher-ranked team to avoid recent defeat against Argentina, were pushed all the way in November in their most recent visit to Dublin's Aviva Stadium, as they dug out a 22-19 win. Argentina were beaten 37-23 by France in their last outing which also took place in the game in Dublin, Argentina will face England in Two test games in La Plata on 5 July and San Juan on 12 July. Team news Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu and Ireland's Bundee Aki will form the centre partnership for the Tuipulotu, who missed the Six Nations through injury, will be playing his first international rugby since Scotland's win over Australia in November and will pair up with Aki - despite both players appearing to be more natural inside coach Andy Farrell is still without the majority of those who featured in domestic finals last week, with Leinster hooker Ronan Kelleher - who is named on the bench - the only player to feature for their club side who will be on show at the captain Maro Itoje will lead the side for the first time while 14 of the 23-man squad will be representing the Lions for the first Argentina, hooker Julian Montoya will captain the Pumas, six days after losing the Premiership final with Carreras, who will move to Bath from Gloucester this summer, is at full-back with Tomas Albornoz at flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez is part of a back row completed by the experienced Pablo Matera and Perpignan number eight Joaquin Pumas are without several of their France-based players with Toulouse's versatile back Juan Cruz Mallia and Bordeaux-Begles second row Guido Petti involved in the Top 14 Thomas Gallo is also absent. Line-ups British and Irish Lions: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham, Maro Itoje, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Ronan Kelleher, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Scott Cummings, Henry Pollock, Tomos Williams, Elliot Daly, Mack Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia; Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya (c), Joel Sclavi, Franco Molina, Pedro Rubiolo, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin OviedoReplacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Santiago Grondona, Joaquin Moro, Simon Benitez Cruz, Matias Moroni, Santiago Cordero The view from both camps Lions head coach Andy Farrell: "You can tell with the excitement around the group, it shows what it means to them, we have seen it in how diligent they have been and how quickly they have come together as a group and the bond they have in such a short space of time."It is great to see, but it is best foot forward and all about the performance on Friday night because that is how we are all going to get judged, we want to do the shirt proud and represent the group properly."Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi: "We haven't been together for seven months and now getting together with lots of new faces it has been a challenge, but the guys have been magnificent."They are training with a lot of intensity, we are very pleased with how they adapted."We expect the best of the best from the British Isles, we know all their players and we expect them to be playing hard." Lions fixtures in full Friday, 20 June - Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)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 First Nations & Pasifika XV, 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)All matches kick off at 11:00 BST apart from the game in Dublin which starts at 20:00 BST
Metro
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
X Factor star and Simon Cowell's former bodyguard 'Big Tony' dies aged 64
Bodyguard Tony Adkins, known as Big Tony, has died aged 64. He worked closely with Simon Cowell and was a frequent face on The X Factor in its heyday. Adkins' death was confirmed by his cousin, who announced that he died on Easter Sunday. 'It is with great sadness my family would like to announce that my Cousin Big Tony, Simon Cowell's ex bodyguard, passed away on Easter Sunday while on a Rugby Tour', a statement on social media read. 'He was a loveable Rogue and will be missed very much, RIP Big T [sic]'. Hammersmith and Fulham RFC also shared a tribute: 'It is with immense sadness that the club pays tribute to a true gent and great Hammer, Tony Adkins, who passed away whilst on tour with the Club in Poland on Easter Sunday.' Adkins will be remembered by viewers of the ITV talent show for being the tough guy called in to defuse situations when auditions got heated, escorting contestants from the room away from the judges. More Trending Speaking previously to The Mirror, he lifted the lid on what music mogul Cowell was like to work for. 'Simon was so laid-back and a very nice guy,' he said. View More » 'He was generous, too. Whenever the show finished – and at Christmas – you'd get an envelope as a thank you. The last one I got had £700 stuffed in it.' This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Perrie Edwards admits she still cries over Jesy Nelson 5 years after leaving Little Mix MORE: Simon Cowell gives a rare insight into family life with lookalike son Eric MORE: Simon Cowell considered taking $150,000 to judge a couple having sex
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Pollock makes Lions squad as Owen Farrell misses out
Northampton's 20-year-old tyro Henry Pollock will tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer, but former England captain Owen Farrell, the son of head coach Andy, misses inclusion marks a warp-speed rise to the top of the game. The flanker, who only turned 20 in January, had played only one Premiership game before the start of this a three-time tourist in the past, has only just returned to fitness with French side Racing 92 but the 33-year-old had aspirations to represent the Lions once Ireland's first-choice fly-half Sam Prendergast misses out with Scotland's Finn Russell and England pair Fin Smith and Marcus Smith preferred as stand-off Tomos Williams and flanker Jac Morgan are the only two Wales players included, an all-time low for a Lions captain Caelan Doris, who was a near-certainty to be picked and a captaincy contender, will miss the tour after suffering a shoulder injury in Leinster's Champions Cup semi-final defeat by Northampton last skipper Maro Itoje was confirmed as captain of the 38-strong party, completing a late-career rise as a to follow. More to follow.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Can Owen Farrell be selected for the British and Irish Lions?
THE British and Irish Lions head down under for their summer tour of Australia in 2025. Irish head coach Andy Farrell will take charge of the side for the first time, after Ireland enjoyed roaring success with back-to-back Six Nations titles in 2023 and 2024. 7 7 7 7 7 Alongside young flanker Henry Pollock, the fly-half position has been the talk of the town ahead of Andy Farrell's selection in 2025. Finn Russell seems the only nailed on player in the fly-half position, with the rest seemingly a free-for-all. England's current fly-half Fin Smith has enjoyed a meteoric rise since the Six Nations, with namesake Marcus Smith Lions stock taking a hit, and veteran George Ford missing from the first five England games. Farrell's Irish project has seen Sam Prendergast emerge alongside Fin Smith as a real option, with Munster man Jack Crowley barely getting a sniff in the Six Nations, basically ending his chances. Andy Farrell's son Owen Farrell had been one of the first names in the English XV whilst at Saracens, but a rule in selection means he is unable to play for England since his switch overseas. SunSport can reveal if the same will apply as Owen Farrell looks for a spot on the British and Irish Lions tour this summer. Can Owen Farrell be selected for the British and Irish Lions? Yes, Owen Farrell is eligible for selection by the British and Irish Lions this summer. Unlike the English national side, there is no restrictions on where players must play club rugby to be selected. This means a number of players come into selection where they were not for the Six Nations, with Courtney Lawes and Jack Willis also currently playing in France. Farrell plays for Racing 92, while Jack Willis plays for defending European champions Toulouse, and Lawes plays in the Pro D2 for Brive. 7 7 When does the British and Irish Lions squad announcement start? The squad announcement is set to start at 1:30pm BST in the UK. Chair Ieuan Evans, a three-time Lion, will read out the picks. Announcements will be made LIVE from the O2 Arena in London. How to watch the British and Irish Lions squad announcement and is there a live stream? The British and Irish Lions squad announcement will be shown LIVE from the O2 Arena in London. The announcement will be maid LIVE on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Mix. Andy Farrell's squad will also be revealed on the Sky Sports app. Action will be live from 1:30pm BST.
