Latest news with #TheUltimateTest
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Lions star in brutal response to Jac Morgan's cheeky dig as team-mates left roaring
Lions star in brutal response to Jac Morgan's cheeky dig as team-mates left roaring Josh van der Flier did not earn a Test cap on the 2025 Lions tour, with Tom Curry and Jac Morgan keeping him out of the team. The players reacted emphatically after Josh van der Flier's response. (Image: British and Irish Lions on YouTube) Josh van der Flier's brutal response to Jac Morgan's text left the whole squad roaring in laughter on the British and Irish Lions team bus. The Lions tour ended with a defeat to Australia, but a series win. Along with this, came the end of 'The Ultimate Test' docu-series which has taken fans behind the curtain on the 2025 tour. As part of the final episode, viewers were able to see what was happening on the team coach to the stadium ahead of the last game. Reading out suggestions for the 'Barry Crocker' (shocker) award, Van der Flier read out Morgan's message. The Wales captain's text read: "Alright Josh, boy? You should do yourself for Barry Crocker for being the only Leinster player in the original squad not to get named in the Test team!" As Van der Flier mouthed "Ooo", the players laughed in response, with Jamie George and James Lowe lapping up the sledging. However, the Irish flanker had a very sharp and witty retort. "That's very rich from a man who's won more games for the Lions than he has for club and country this year!" he hit back. Article continues below There was a massive roar from the players, with Ellis Genge's fist flying in the air, exchanging a smile with buddy Morgan, who was sat right next to Van der Flier. Content cannot be displayed without consent However, this wasn't the only bit of banter dished out by Morgan, who quipped via text: "Alright Josh, boy? Any ideas for the Barry Crocker? I was thinking we do Bundee Aki for being 37 years old and his highest academic achievement is the World Rugby Anti-Doping module." Cue another big roar from the players. Also on the coach trip, social secretary Ben Earl had a great idea for the collective, suggesting each player puts away £20 a month for the next 12 years, so the players can reconvene for the 2037 Australia tour with a kitty of £118,000 to cover their flights and accommodation. The Lions wrapped up the series against Australia after the second Test, winning with a game to spare for the first time since 1997 against South Africa. With Tomos Williams sustaining an unfortunate injury against Western Force in the warm-up games, Morgan was the only Welshman in the entire squad. Speaking about the tour itself, boss Andy Farrell said: 'It's been the time of our lives. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but it's the truth. "We got to create a special memory together. I'm unbelievably proud to be associated with this group. This has been a long time in the planning - the best eight weeks of our lives. Article continues below "Lions Tours are tough, and to do what we did last week and put the series in the bag, upon reflection after tonight, I'm sure we'll be super proud of the achievement."
TimesLIVE
01-08-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
B&I Lions look to history, Wallabies to pride in series finale
The British & Irish Lions have history on their minds as they head into Saturday's third and final clash with the Wallabies determined to sweep a Test series for the first time in living memory. No Lions team have even gone unbeaten in a Test series since Willie John McBride's Invincibles in South Africa in 1974, when a controversial draw in the fourth match denied them the sweep. The Lions did sweep Argentina 4-0 in 1927 and also beat the Wallabies 2-0 three times in the 1950s and 1960s as part of losing tours of New Zealand, but you would need to go back to 1904 for the last 3-0 triumph on a trip solely to Australia. For coach Andy Farrell, however, the importance of the sweep is simply that it was something the Lions had committed to achieving as a squad before heading to Australia. 'Hopefully [the tour] will be remembered for the type of rugby that we played and the way that we went about it together. That's it,' he said after naming his team on Thursday. Four Lions Tours, and some unforgettable moments along the way... Don't miss the latest episode of The Ultimate Test, available now on the Lions @YouTube channel 🦁 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 30, 2025 'We came here wanting to win a series. We've achieved that, but we've a huge responsibility to make sure that we finish this off with something that we promised ourselves.' In keeping with that spirit, Farrell made only minor tweaks to his team for the Stadium Australia clash, bringing Blair Kinghorn in on the wing, James Ryan into the second row and an extra forward onto the bench. For Australia, Saturday is all about salvaging some pride after losing the second Test, and the series, to a last-minute try in Melbourne last week. The Wallabies have proved they can play by 'winning' the second half of the opening Test 14-10 in Brisbane and taking a 23-5 lead after half an hour of the second in Melbourne. Coach Joe Schmidt said it had been difficult to pick the players up after the defeat but thought they should not ignore the progress they have made since he took over last year. Kicking practice with one of the greats... Tap below to watch the latest episode of The Ultimate Test 🦁 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 30, 2025 'My belief is that 18 months ago, no-one gave us a chance of challenging the Lions,' he said. "[But] there's not been nearly as much between the teams as maybe people might have expected.' Flanker Rob Valetini and two other starters from last week will miss the match because of injury but Schmidt made a choice to bring scrumhalf Nic White into the team for his last Test before he retires from international rugby. The New Zealander denied it was a sentimental selection, citing White's kicking skills in what are expected to be wet conditions, but was certain he would get an emotional dividend from the rest of the team. 'When you make that contribution over 12 years, it's not sentimentality, but it is a reality when someone is important to the group, the group want to support them,' he said.
TimesLIVE
31-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
No let-up as Lions put out strongest side for final Australia Test
British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell has made only two changes to his starting team for final Test against Australia on Saturday with his sights firmly focused on sealing a 3-0 series sweep. With the series already won after last week's victory in Melbourne, Farrell resisted the temptation to give squad players a run and said he had selected a team he thought was best able to finish the tour with a third Test win. 'It would mean the world to us, it's something that we promised ourselves that we were going to chase after,' he said on Thursday. 'It's a big ask, but it's something that we're determined to do. This is the best 23 to take the group forward.' Farrell said one of the most pleasing elements of the tour had been the way all the players had bought into the concept of squad unity, regardless of whether they were selected for the Tests or not. 'It touches you, it really does. It touches you in the sense of how much it means to them. For example, you come in after such a big victory on Saturday night [and] the people that were celebrating the most were the guys that hadn't put the shirt on.' Kicking practice with one of the greats... Tap below to watch the latest episode of The Ultimate Test 🦁 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 30, 2025 Blair Kinghorn, who missed the first Test because of a knee injury, replaces James Lowe on the left wing as he did during last week's win in Melbourne, while James Ryan starts in the second row in place of Ollie Chessum. Chessum drops to the bench, where Ben Earl comes in as back row cover alongside Jac Morgan with Farrell opting for a 6-2 split in favour of the forwards for what is forecast to be a wet weather Test at Stadium Australia. The starting back row and halfback pairing remain the same for the third consecutive match, while Tadhg Furlong will start his ninth straight Lions Test in the front row. 'It's amazing,' Farrell said of the Irish prop. 'It's been well documented how much he loves playing for the Lions ... and it isn't just the performances that have been through the roof, it's also his manner on a Lions tour as well. 'I've never seen him in such good spirits, so he's ready to go again.' Captain Maro Itoje will start his eighth straight Lions Test having played the first match of the 2017 series in New Zealand off the bench. 'Look at the quality of player they are,' Farrell said. 'Look at the standing that they have with any group that they represent. Those two lads epitomise what it takes to be a top level international player.' Four Lions Tours, and some unforgettable moments along the way... Don't miss the latest episode of The Ultimate Test, available now on the Lions @YouTube channel 🦁 #Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 30, 2025 The Wallabies' Rob Valetini will miss the third Test but scrumhalf Nic White has been given a chance to sign off his international career. Flanker Valetini, who missed the first Test with a calf injury, was outstanding as Australia took an early 23-5 lead in last week's second Test but is being 'managed' ahead of two matches against the Springboks in South Africa. 'He's not right this week,' coach Joe Schmidt told a press conference on Thursday. "[The calf] just tightened up so ... it's probably precautionary not playing him this week.' Valetini will be replaced in the back row by Tom Hooper, one of four changes to the starting line-up from the second Test. Tighthead Allan Alaalatoa suffered a shoulder injury last week that could rob the Wallabies of one of their leaders for the rest of the season. Taniela 'Tongan Thor' Tupou brings his considerable bulk into the front row in Alaalatoa's place for his first appearance of the series. White's inclusion at scrumhalf for Jake Gordon was not enforced but gives the 35-year-old a chance to win a 73rd cap before standing down from Test rugby, a decision he announced earlier on Thursday. 'Whitey's got such huge respect inside the squad that it seemed a fitting way for him to finish,' said Schmidt. 'And I'm not a sentimentalist, it's a Test match, and you pick people who are capable of playing that Test match, and we believe that Nick is.' Schmidt has reverted to a 5-3 split in favour of the forwards on the bench, bringing outside back Andrew Kellaway back into the matchday squad for flanker Carlo Tizzano. Teams Australia: 15 — Tom Wright, 14 — Max Jorgensen, 13 — Joseph Suaalii, 12 — Len Ikitau, 11 — Dylan Pietsch, 10 — Tom Lynagh, 9 — Nic White, 8 — Harry Wilson, 7 — Fraser McReight, 6 — Tom Hooper, 5 — Will Skelton, 4 — Nick Frost, 3 — Taniela Tupou, 2 — David Porecki, 1 — James Slipper. Replacements: 16 — Billy Pollard, 17 — Angus Bell, 18 — Zane Nonggorr, 19 — Jeremy Williams, 20 — Langi Gleeson, 21 — Tate McDermott, 22 — Ben Donaldson, 23 — Andrew Kellaway. B&I Lions: 15 — Hugo Keenan, 14 — Tommy Freeman, 13 — Huw Jones, 12 — Bundee Aki, 11 — Blair Kinghorn, 10 — Finn Russell, 9 — Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 — Jack Conan, 7 — Tom Curry, 6 — Tadhg Beirne, 5 — James Ryan, 4 — Maro Itoje, 3 — Tadhg Furlong, 2 — Dan Sheehan, 1 — Andrew Porter. Replacements: 16 — Ronan Kelleher, 17 — Ellis Genge, 18 — Will Stuart, 19 — Ollie Chessum, 20 — Jac Morgan, 21 — Ben Earl, 22 — Alex Mitchell, 23 — Owen Farrell.
Extra.ie
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Watch: Katie Taylor leaves inspirational message for Lions
The British & Irish Lions have won their first tour series since 2013 after a thrilling 29-26 win against the Wallabies in the second test. The match will forever be remembered for its dramatic finish as the Lions worked their way up the pitch from the halfway line in the final moments before Hugo Keenan dove over with the final act of the game to win all the marbles. It was the climax to what had been an amazing comeback from the Lions who, after going down 23-5 and with 14 men, executed a clinical comeback where they scored with nearly every chance they got while also holding the Wallabies to just three further points from the 30th minute onwards. Hugo Keenan celebrates following test series win. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie One of the best aspects of the Lions is the unprecedented access, as fans can truly get behind the scenes. As most clubs and national sides are quite secretive about how everything runs, the Lions have constant dressing room coverage. It leads to some great moments, including a motivational message the Lions received from none other than Katie Taylor. Pic: The British & Irish Lions via YouTube In the latest video in The Ultimate Test series on YouTube, we see Andy Farrell show the squad a video 'The Bray Bomber' filmed off the back of her trilogy win over Amanda Serrano in Madison Square Garden. 'Every athlete knows that there are so many variables on any given day, and for reasons I can't fully control, you know, sometimes I feel sharp and strong and my timing is perfect, sometimes it isn't. And this can lead to performance anxiety. 'But regardless of those things that some of which are hard to control, I know that even if it's not pretty, I am 100% confident that I'll go to the trenches if necessary. That's a controllable. Pic: The British & Irish Lions via YouTube 'And that's a matter of will. So here's my message. Prepare to win by skill, but be ready to win by will. In both our sports it's often the case that the biggest will to win takes the spoils. So I hope that all of the things that you have practiced and all the tactics you have contemplated go your way. 'I hope that all the performances are worthy of your skills, but if not, I'm confident that your will and your courage will be enough. 'And after all, what else could it mean to be a Lion? So we're with you all the way. Best of luck guys, God Bless. Bye.' "Prepare to win by skill, but be ready to win by will." Thanks for sharing your inspiring message with the boys, @KatieTaylor 🙏 Tap the link below to watch the latest episode of The Ultimate Test 🦁#Lions2025
RTÉ News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Preview: Expect a response from Lions in first Australian outing
If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth watching the first couple of episodes of 'The Ultimate Test', the in-house videos from the British and Irish Lions squad on their YouTube channel. Obviously not on the same level as the warts-and-all 'Living with the Lions' documentary from 1997, but there have been plenty of interesting nuggets across the opening two episodes; Andy Farrell's emotional words to the room about calling up Finlay Bealham to his squad and Mack Hansen's candid admissions about getting to know Marcus Smith were the highlights of episode one. The latest video followed their week in Dublin, with Ellis Genge's leadership skills and John Fogarty's coaching work both jumping out. Unfortunately, one thing we weren't privy to was the scene in the Aviva Stadium changing room after last Friday's defeat to Argentina. The Lions head coach was scathing in his public assessment of their performance against Los Pumas, so one can only imagine what was said behind closed doors. It was a change of tack for Farrell, who clearly wanted to send a message to his players about the standards expected of them over the next six weeks. In his five years coaching Ireland, you can count on one hand how often he's had a cut off his team's performances in post-match press conferences, with the scrappy wins against Georgia in 2020 and Fiji in 2022 the ones that jump out. When Ireland have lost games under Farrell (above), he's been more inclined to become protective of his team rather than challenge them. He was furious after the first Test defeat to South Africa last summer, but that anger didn't become apparent until the days after the game in Pretoria. In the immediate aftermath, he kept an even keel. It's impossible to tell whether last week's defeat has factored much into Farrell's selection for the opening game in Australia against the Western Force tomorrow. Prior to the Argentina clash, he suggested that he had a rough sketch in his head about his squads for the opening two or three games, as he looked to test out various combinations and allow everyone get a run. Twelve of last week's matchday squad go again this week, but only two players have been named to start for the second week in a row, with Tadhg Beirne and Sione Tuipulotu the pair retained in the starting team. The fact that both payers feature in different positions may point towards some of the lessons learned in Dublin. Beirne moves from the second row to blindside flanker, where he was primarily used by Warren Gatland on the 2021 tour. The back row was one area where the Lions failed to click against Argentina, and the addition of a hybrid lock/flanker in the side could be a nod towards Farrell's Test plans, with Beirne, Ollie Chessum or possibly even Maro Itoje the able to fill that role. Tuipulotu (below) also keeps his place in the starting team, and the Scotland captain will be keen to iron out some of the creases in his game, having been guilty of some poor ball protection a week ago. He moves from outside centre to the number 12 channel, as Garry Ringrose comes in for his first Lions appearance. Last week's team had a strong English flavour to it, but this selection is dominated by Ireland, with eight starters and three more on the bench. Leinster contribute seven of those starting team, which equals the record for players from one club in a Lions XV. "We'll see on Saturday how we respond," the head coach said as he named his team for Saturday's game in Perth. "The guys that are taking the field this week are a little bit fortunate in the sense they understand how we want to get better. "They've got to take responsibility for that, and grab hold of their chance of taking this team forward." With Itoje rested, Dan Sheehan takes the honour of captaining the Lions in his first ever game for the side. It caps a remarkable turnaround for the Leinster and Ireland hooker, whose chances of even making the Lions squad looked in real jeopardy when he suffered a torn ACL in Ireland's opening Test defeat to the Springboks in South Africa just under a year ago. He returned ahead ahead of schedule, just in time for the start of the 2025 Six Nations and instantly hit his best form, while he captained Ireland in the absence of Caelan Doris during the round three win against Wales in Cardiff. "It says a lot about him. You don't make these decisions lightly," Farrell said of making the 26-year-old captain in his first Lions outing. "To have the special honour of captaining the British and Irish Lions must be amazing for Dan and his family, they will be bursting with pride. "But it's well earned. He will 100% do the job justice by just being himself. I know for a fact, whatever he asks the players to do, there won't be empty words, it will be things he's willing to do himself. "I know the responsibility will make him a better player because that's the type of character he is, a calming influence who understands what pressure situations are like at this level. All those things put together are why he is sat beside me." The Force were beaten 69-17 when these sides met 12 years ago, and the western Australia side are the weakest of the four Super Rugby sides on paper, finishing ninth in the 2025 season, with four wins from their 14 games. They do boast several Wallabies in their squad, some of whom will be meeting the Lions next month in the Test series. Former Australia captain Nic White starts at scrum-half, while internationals Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Darcy Swain, Sam Carter, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Tom Robertson are also in the starting team. Another current Wallaby, Ben Donaldson has also left Australia's squad late in the week to cover at full-back, after injury ruled veteran Kurtley Beale (below) out of the game. "To get the opportunity to play against the Lions is unreal," White said. "It's a real dream come true, words don't really do it justice." With Farrell's stinging criticism of their performance against Argentina still fresh in their minds, it's hard to see the Lions falling flat for the second week in a row. But even if an upset win for the Force looks unlikely, White is playing the long game. "If we can bash a couple of their blokes on the way in and bruise them and make them a bit sore by the time they get to the Wallabies then job done as far as the Super Rugby sides are concerned."
