6 h. ago Ellis Genge primed to summon spirit of 2022 as he runs into Australia again

Loosehead prop helped save Eddie Jones’s job in Brisbane three years ago and can make a similar impact for the LionsYou can chart Ellis Genge’s Test career by his tours of Australia. In 2016 he and Kyle Sinckler were Eddie Jones’s “rough diamonds”, picked to get a taste of an international tour but nowhere near Test selection. Six years on and in England’s second Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Genge kickstarted a victory that saved Jones’s job with a thunderous carry into Michael Hooper. Three years later, back in the same city, Genge makes his British & Irish Lions Test bow against Australia.After naming Genge in Saturday’s side, the head coach, Andy Farrell, encouraged the 30-year-old loosehead prop to take a moment to reflect on how far he has come. It does not come easily to Genge but his growing influence on the international sides he represents is obvious. He confesses that nine years ago he and Sinckler “tried to get out of the way as much as we could” and “were ...

Politics

7 h. 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...

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11 h. ago ‘Make it happen when it matters’ – Andy Farrell urges Lions to embrace pressure

Powerful Lions side named to face Australia in first TestTom Curry starts in back row, no Welsh player in 23Andy Farrell has urged his British & Irish Lions players to embrace the pressure of their billing as heavy favourites to beat Australia in the series opener on Saturday.The Lions will go into Saturday’s match as odds-on favourites after Farrell named a powerful side featuring Tom Curry at openside flanker and Sione Tuipulotu at inside-centre to face a Wallabies team missing Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou. Continue reading...

Events

13 h. 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.

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14 h. ago The pivotal British & Irish Lions pick that could undo Australia in first Test

Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry have won a competitive fight for flanker places

Politics

15 h. ago Andy Farrell 'gutted' for Jac Morgan as reason for Wales star's omission emerges

The British & Irish Lions coach has been speaking about his first Test team to face the Wallabies on Saturday

Events

16 h. ago British and Irish Lions: Andy Farrell makes history with all

Lions set for their first real Test against Wallabies

Politics

17 h. ago Lions pick four England stars for first Australia showdown as Marcus Smith gets bench role

England will play Australia in the first Test with Tom Curry backed to do a job in the backrow as Andy Farrell relies on eight of his Ireland stars to get the job done

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17 h. ago Marcus Smith defies odds to claim Lions spot for first Wallabies Test

Andy Farrell opts for Smith’s versatility over son Owen Tom Curry to start in back-row with Beirne and ConanMarcus Smith has been named on the bench for the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia with Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu selected to start in Brisbane on Saturday.Smith has defied the odds to claim a place in the match-day 23, benefiting from injuries to Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen and preferred to Owen Farrell among the replacements. Continue reading...

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19 h. ago Who is Tom Lynagh? Son of Australian great Michael given surprise start for Wallabies against British and Irish Lions

The 22-year-old fly half has been handed the first Test reins by Joe Schmidt in a shock selection call

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21 h. ago Lions team announcement Live as Jac Morgan set to miss out against Wallabies

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell will name his side for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday

Politics

21 h. ago Lions name first Test team as Jac Morgan left out completely

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his side for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Thursday

Politics

28 h. 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

36 h. ago ‘We’re not here to pay homage’: Lion turned Australia coach Geoff Parling on how hosts can stun tourists

There’s no room for sentiment as Wallabies assistant bids to leave country on a high before his move to Leicester TigersGeoff Parling is a perfect example of just how far sport can propel you in life. Growing up in Stockton-on-Tees he was a goalkeeper who did not start throwing a rugby ball around until the age of 12. Back then the chances of him coaching Australia in a British & Irish Lions series were about the same as seeing a snoozing koala up a gum tree in Hartlepool.Yet here he is now in a Wallaby tracksuit, preparing to complete the unique double of playing a Test for the Lions and then also coaching against them at the same exalted level. It is a parallel universe to 2013 when Parling was part of the triumphant Lions side in the final Test in Sydney. That night it was his crucial tackle on Jesse Mogg – “My long arms came in useful for once” – which snuffed out any chance of a home fightback. This weekend the aim is to do the precise opposite and restore a golden glow to ...

Politics

36 h. ago Dan Sheehan says Lions can fire up travelling support if they ‘give them a win’

The Lions are favourites to come out on top in the three-Test series against Australia going into Saturday’s Brisbane opener.

Events

39 h. 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

39 h. ago Ewan Ashman and Rory Sutherland to start for Scotland before Lions duty

The front-row forwards have been named in Gregor Townsend’s team for their final summer tour match at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.

Politics

41 h. 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

52 h. ago Future British & Irish Lions tour of France on the agenda at Melbourne summit

French federation puts forward hosting 2027 warm-upMeeting before second Test over new Lions modelA British & Irish Lions tour of France could move a step closer next week when executives hold talks over “a new business model” in Melbourne before the second Test of the series against Australia.Abdel Benazzi, the vice-president of the French federation (FFR), held informal discussions with Lions executives in Dublin before the warm-up match against Argentina, and he will travel to Australia next week to further press his nation’s claims of facing the touring side again, having previously done so in 1989. France have emerged as leading contenders to face the Lions in a warm-up match before the tour of New Zealand in 2029 and, according to Benazzi, could also fulfil the same role before the inaugural women’s tour in 2027, also to New Zealand. Continue reading...

Politics

55 h. ago Jack Conan says nerves mounting as Lions prepare to name first Test team

The players will be told who has made the matchday 23 for Saturday’s series opener at a meeting on Wednesday.

Politics