4 h. ago Lions add Gregor Brown to squad with Joe McCarthy an injury doubt for second Test

Ireland lock withdrawn with foot problem in first TestOwen Farrell likely to start against First Nations & Pasifika XVThe Ireland lock Joe McCarthy is a doubt for the British & Irish Lions’ second Test against the Wallabies due to a foot injury. Andy Farrell has called up Scotland’s Gregor Brown to bolster his second-row ranks as a result, taking an already bloated squad to 45 players.McCarthy was taken off after 43 minutes of the Lions’ 27-19 victory over Australia in Brisbane on Saturday and Farrell confirmed his early withdrawal was down to injury. “It’s plantar fasciitis,” said Farrell. “It was niggling away at him there. We got him off. Hopefully we got him off in time.” Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Lions call up Gregor Brown as foot problem hits Joe McCarthy’s second Test hopes

Ireland lock withdrawn in first Test because of plantar fasciitisOwen Farrell likely to start against First Nations & Pasifika XVThe Ireland lock Joe McCarthy is a doubt for the British & Irish Lions’ second Test against the Wallabies on Saturday because of a foot condition. Andy Farrell has called up Scotland’s Gregor Brown to bolster his second-row ranks as a result, taking an already bloated squad to 45 players.McCarthy was taken off after 43 minutes of the Lions’ 27-19 victory over Australia in Brisbane on Saturday and Farrell confirmed his early withdrawal was enforced. “It’s plantar fasciitis,” said Farrell. “It was niggling away at him there. We got him off. Hopefully we got him off in time.” Continue reading...

Events

4 h. ago Andy Farrell calls up Scotland lock to British and Irish Lions squad as injury concern emerges before second Test

Joe McCarthy has emerged as an injury doubt before the Lions’ second Test against Australia

Events

3 d. ago Welsh wipeout in Lions squad for first time since 1896 reflects sorry decline

There will not be a single Welsh player in Saturday’s Lions squad for the first time since 1896, a huge downturn from eras pastWhen the British & Irish Lions last won a Test series in 2013, Leigh Halfpenny scored a record 49 points and fellow Wales international Sam Warburton captained the side to glory in Australia with Warren Gatland coaching. Twelve years on, for the first time since 1896, not a single Welsh player will be represented in the Lions’ matchday squad for Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane.Jac Morgan’s omission is a sign of rugby’s decline in Wales in recent years, a far cry from the glorious 1970s when household names like Gareth Edwards, Barry John and JPR Williams were indispensable figures. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Tommy Freeman reveals his Lions dream has proved costly after pledge to parents

The wing promised he fly his mum and dad – Sara and Cliff – Down Under in business class if he were to make the British and Irish Lions squad.

Politics

3 d. ago The Itoje legacy: Nigerian roots shaped the Lions captain who has inspired a new generation

Maro Itoje’s rise to the very top of his sport brings both pride and idolisation from the British-Nigerian communityIt is 2017 and Maro Itoje has just been selected as the youngest member of the British & Irish Lions squad. He is asked for his favourite Lions memory and his response is illuminating. “Ugo Monye scoring his try in the third Test [against South Africa in 2009]. When you’re young and growing up, you look at players that look like you. And, by that, I don’t mean eyes, ears, nose, I mean who have the same skin colour, who you can identify with. Ugo is one I could identify with, as we’re both of Nigerian descent. To see him score that amazing try resonated with me.”On Saturday, when the Lions begin their series against Australia, Itoje will win his 100th Test cap. He is England captain, the first black captain of the Lions and the country’s most prominent rugby player. And you cannot help but wonder to what extent he himself has passed the torch. For there can be littl...

Politics

4 d. ago Owen Farrell overlooked by dad for Lions showdown as Andy Farrell makes tough call

Owen Farrell has been tipped to feature in the first British and Irish Lions Test but looks to have missed out with Marcus Smith reportedly beating him to a spot on the bench

Politics

4 d. ago Owen Farrell expected to be left out of Lions squad for first Wallabies Test

Coach Andy Farrell likely to opt for Marcus SmithEngland’s Tom Curry to feature in back-rowOwen Farrell is expected to be omitted from the British & Irish Lions squad to face the Wallabies on Saturday in Brisbane.Farrell impressed in his first appearance of the tour last week but it is believed Andy Farrell is ready to overlook his son with Marcus Smith the likely beneficiary. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago How the Lions can boast three Aussies and All Black trio vs Australia in crunch opener

The British and Irish Lions squad features a host of players who hail from New Zealand and Australia as they prepare for the First Test against the Wallabies this weekend

Politics

6 d. ago Lions reject ‘Geography Six’ comparisons after more squad additions before Wallabies Test

Scotland’s Sutherland, Ashman and Graham called upLions squad on tour of Australia now features 44 playersThe British & Irish Lions have defended the decision to fly three extra Scottish players to Australia and insist it is not a rerun of the “Geography Six” saga that generated controversy in New Zealand in 2017.Rory Sutherland, Darcy Graham and Ewan Ashman have been called up to provide cover for the Lions’ final midweek game next Tuesday in between the first and second Tests. The trio’s arrival will inflate the number of Lions on tour to a whopping 44 with Owen Farrell, Ben White, Jamie Osborne and, most recently, Jamie George and Thomas Clarkson having already been added to the party. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago Three Scots added to British & Irish Lions squad amid late disciplinary scare

Trio to provide cover as Test series with Wallabies looms

Politics

6 d. ago Andy Farrell calls up Scotland trio to British and Irish Lions squad as injury cover ahead of tour match

Farrell continues to call in reinforcements ahead of the series-opener against Australia on Saturday

Events

6 d. ago British and Irish Lions call up Scottish trio as cover as Wallabies series looms

The Lions’ squad has swelled to 44 players with the latest additions.

Politics

6 d. ago Lions squad continues to grow with three players added before first Wallabies Test

Scotland’s Sutherland, Ashman and Graham receive call upsBritish & Irish Lions now have 44 players on tour of AustraliaThe British & Irish Lions squad in Australia continues to grow in number with three extra Scotland players set to join the party. Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham have been called up to provide cover for next week’s First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture which will be played between the first and second Tests against the Wallabies.All three players are currently in New Zealand where they had been preparing to face Samoa but will now become the latest members of the Lions ever-expanding squad. The Lions management have already had to summon four injury replacements in Owen Farrell, Ben White, Jamie Osborne and Jamie George with prop Thomas Clarkson also added as cover over the weekend. Continue reading...

Sport

7 d. ago Lions call up another player as cover despite no one being injured

Andy Farrell has called up another player to his Lions squad ahead of the Test series with the Wallabies

Sport

7 d. ago British and Irish Lions tour 2025: Results, fixtures, schedule and latest squad changes

Andy Farrell’s side maintain 100 per cent record in Australia ahead of First Test against the Wallabies

Politics

7 d. ago Jamie George called up to British and Irish Lions squad after Luke Cowan

Saracens hooker removed from England lineup to face Argentina in Second Test as he now heads to Brisbane before Wallabies opener

Politics

7 d. ago British and Irish Lions call up Jamie George for third tour after Luke Cowan

Concussion has also ruled out Garry Ringrose for the first Lions Test against Australia next week, leaving Andy Farrell to tinker with his squad before the trip to Brisbane

Politics

8 d. ago Garry Ringrose ruled out as Lions face mounting injury concerns for Australia Test opener

Andy Farrell likely to call up more hooker cover after Luke Cowan-Dickie stretchered off against AUNZ Invitational XV

Events

9 d. ago James O’Connor earns Wallabies recall as squad named for Lions Test series

35-year-old veteran selected after last playing for Australia in 2022James Slipper included in 36-player squad to face British & Irish LionsWallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made an eleventh-hour call to James O’Connor to include the forgotten fly-half in Australia’s 36-player squad for the Test series against the British & Irish Lions, which begins next week in Brisbane.The former Reds No 10 last played for the Wallabies in 2022, but helped the Crusaders to a Super Rugby Pacific title this year in a role coming off the bench. Continue reading...

Politics