55 m. ago Slow starts, the breakdown and pressure of selection are weighing heavy on Lions | Ugo Monye

Andy Farrell has problems to solve before Test series and needs players to push their case in final warmup gameThe phoney war is coming to an end. One more warm-up match against a tasty looking Australia and New Zealand invitational side and then into the real thing. The Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, was asked how much he was holding back for the Test series and he replied it was exactly the same amount as Australia were. I’d expect nothing less.To give a sense of what that means, it’s not as if he’s asking players to give 80% of their capacity or that the Lions will be unrecognisable come the Test series. The framework they have been working with is the one they will use. But it’s the details where the Lions will try to hurt Australia that have been, to a degree, parked or kept back. You don’t necessarily want to show that in warm-up matches, certainly not your full hand. Continue reading...

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6 h. ago We want to be one of the best Lions teams ever – Ben Earl reveals lofty target

Andy Farrell’s side tackle an AUNZ Invitational XV containing 17 Wallabies and All Blacks on Saturday morning.

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6 h. ago ‘Lions is best thing I’ve ever done,’ says Ben Earl as Test wannabes search for elusive spark

Players are fired up as Wallabies loom but there are kinks to be ironed out in final warm-up against invitational XVThis time next week things will finally be getting real. The streets of Brisbane will be awash with red jerseys and, as Andy Farrell has been stressing from day one, the intensity of this Lions tour will soar to a whole new level. At which point it will all boil down to one essential question: are the Lions ready for what is coming over the horizon?As the players stretched and flexed in front of Adelaide Oval’s famous old scoreboard for their last fixture before the first Test, the answer is that no one can yet be entirely certain. The squad have spent the past fortnight frantically crisscrossing this great southern land like time-poor captains of industry and, deliberately or not, have revealed the best of themselves only fleetingly. Continue reading...

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29 h. ago Lions issue Blair Kinghorn update as star to fly out to join squad immediately

Andy Farrell has added another member to his Lions squad

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35 h. ago Today's rugby news as Andy Farrell advice helps Wales and Lions star sent for scan

The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

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35 h. ago Matt Sherratt hopes ‘time to grieve’ allows Wales to bounce back

The Welsh led Japan 19-7 in Kitakyushu with 20 minutes remaining before losing 24-19.

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50 h. ago Blair Kinghorn a doubt for Australia Test series as Andy Farrell urges Lions to improve

Hugo Keenan likely Test replacement for KinghornFarrell: ‘We are doing well in certain aspects’The British & Irish Lions are facing renewed injury uncertainty at full-back for the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday week. Having already lost Elliot Daly there are now doubts over Blair Kinghorn’s availability for the Test series after the Scotland player limped off in the first half of the Lions’ 36-24 victory against the Brumbies.Kinghorn, widely expected to start at 15 against the Wallabies, lasted just 25 minutes before leaving the field and the Lions are now awaiting an update on the severity of the injury. “He got a bang on the knee,” the Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, said. “He carried on for quite a bit but there was no need to keep him going.” Continue reading...

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52 h. ago Lions vs Brumbies LIVE: Result, match stream and latest rugby updates today

Plenty for Andy Farrell’s side still to work on before Australia Test opener

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52 h. ago Blair Kinghorn injury: Andy Farrell issues new update after Lions star limps off early in Brumbies win

Scotland full-back cut a dejected figure as he was replaced after only 25 minutes in Canberra

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53 h. ago Lions prevail despite patchy performance against Brumbies to leave Test selection questions

Brumbies 24-36 Lions: Andy Farrell had named a strong side for the clash in Canberra but a statement showing did not arrive

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53 h. ago British and Irish Lions defeat Brumbies but issues remain as Australia Test series looms

Andy Farrell’s side improve on Waratahs struggle but ship four tries and concede double-digit penalties in Canberra

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55 h. ago British and Irish Lions vs Brumbies LIVE: Latest score and rugby updates after Ollie Chessum try

Andy Farrell has picked Test-strength team to face Australia’s best Super Rugby franchise

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57 h. ago Lions vs Brumbies LIVE: Latest score and rugby updates today

Andy Farrell has picked Test-strength team to face Australia’s best Super Rugby franchise

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3 d. ago Owen Farrell in line for Lions return after first full training session

The 33-year-old is in line to make the first appearance of his fourth Lions tour in Adelaide.

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4 d. ago Tonight's rugby news as Andy Farrell reveals truth on Lions team rumour and Wales name two captains

The latest rugby news stories from Wales and beyond

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4 d. ago Lions name strong team to face Brumbies as preparations ramp up for first Test

Majority of leading names selected by Andy Farrell for Canberra gameFirst-choice pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park reunitedAndy Farrell has picked his strongest British & Irish Lions combination so far for his squad’s penultimate fixture before they take on Australia in Brisbane next week. The majority of the Lions’ leading names have been selected to start against the ACT Brumbies in what is clearly being seen as a dress rehearsal ahead of the first Test.The first-choice pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park are reunited at half back inside an all-Irish centre pairing of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose, with Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn at full-back and the Anglo-Irish combination of Tommy Freeman and James Lowe on the wings. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago British and Irish Lions team vs ACT Brumbies: Andy Farrell goes strong ahead of first Test against Australia

Blair Kinghorn will make his first start at full-back on Wednesday

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4 d. ago Lions offer Test selection clues in strong side to face Brumbies

Maro Itoje returns to lead the British and Irish Lions against the Brumbies

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

Andy Farrell’s side record hat-trick of wins against Super Rugby opponents as Wallabies Test series edges closer

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5 d. ago Scratchy Lions win has simplified the Test selection equation for Andy Farrell | Robert Kitson

Time has come for head coach to cease experimenting and get down to business as Lions need to go all out or go homeFor some reason Dame Edna Everage sprang to mind in the wake of the British & Irish Lions’ less-than-marvellous display against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday. As Edna once waspishly told a fellow grand dame: “I’m trying to find a word to describe your outfit affordable.” It was not dissimilar to the lacklustre Lions in Sydney: all dressed up and nowhere to hide.It has been an awkward few days all round, with increasing amounts of potential comedic ammunition available to Aussie hecklers. “Mr Farrell, welcome to our hotel, we’ve held the family suite for you.” “Mate, was the pitch really damp on Saturday or were you blokes just wallowing in your own mediocrity?” It is reaching the point where the Lions need to start delivering a few short sharp punchlines of their own. Continue reading...

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