8 h. ago Tuipulotu believes ‘stars have aligned’ for him as Lions arrive in Melbourne

The Scotland centre has the opportunity to seal a series win against Australia with victory in the second Test in the city where he was bornSione Tuipulotu has to raise his game this week. By his own admission he has not been up to scratch. He has been surprised by just how off the pace he has been, but he is confident he will deliver in the buildup to the second Test between the British & Irish Lions and Australia.Tuipulotu is, of course, referring to his role as the Lions’ tour guide, having grown up in Australia, as Andy Farrell’s players arrive in his home city of Melbourne hoping to wrap up the series. “I haven’t actually been that good at it,” he says. “It’s surprising, I don’t actually know that much about Australia having lived here that long. I know a bit about Melbourne so I’ll point the boys to some good spots.” Continue reading...

Politics

11 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Ireland lock withdrawn with foot problem in first TestOwen Farrell likely to start against First Nations & Pasifika XVThe Ireland lock Joe McCarthy is a doubt for the British & Irish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

11 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Ireland lock withdrawn in first Test because of plantar fasciitisOwen Farrell likely to start against First Nations & Pasifika XVThe Ireland lock Joe McCarthy is a doubt for the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

11 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

13 h. ago Lawrence Dallaglio twists knife into Wallabies as Jac Morgan theory emerges

The three-time British & Irish Lions tourist has had his say after Andy Farrell's side claimed victory in the first Test in Brisbane

Politics

14 h. ago Lions one win from ending wait – 5 things we learned from first Test

The British and Irish Lions beat Australia 27-19 in Brisbane as they eye a first series win since 2013.

Politics

16 h. ago Lions one win from ending wait – what we learned from the first Test

The British and Irish Lions beat Australia 27-19 in Brisbane on the first step to a first series win since 2013.

Politics

32 h. ago Lions hold off Australia fightback in worrying start to series

Australia 19-27 British and Irish Lions: The Lions survived a second-half stumble to go 1-0 against an at-times overmatched Australia

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32 h. ago Andy Farrell sings praises of 'absolutely immense' Lions duo as team selection is justified in Australia win

The British and Irish Lions are 1-0 up in the three-Test series against Australia

Politics

33 h. ago British and Irish Lions withstand late Australia pressure to take lead in Test series

Lions make early dominance count to take lead in series

Events

34 h. ago Lions vs Australia LIVE: First Test result, match stream and latest updates

Andy Farrell’s tourists record win over injury-hit Wallabies in series opener at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium

Politics

34 h. ago Lions lay down series marker and ease to victory over Australia in first Test

First Test: Australia 19-27 British & Irish LionsOne-sided opener only came alive in the second halfWinning the first Test does not guarantee a series victory but Australia are already hanging on by their fingernails. On the evidence of this contest it is going to take something remarkable to stop the Lions from finishing the job in Melbourne next Saturday and, with thousands of travelling fans cheering them on, Andy Farrell’s side have firm control of their own destiny.There were moments in the first half when the Lions were so dominant it felt akin to watching a juggernaut thundering through the outback, scattering everything in sight like skittles. They were unable to sustain it but the visitors’ dominance in the opening 50 minutes was such that the winning margin should have been wider. From Finn Russell’s insouciant brilliance to Tom Curry’s relentless tackling, the Lions were a cut above in the areas that mattered most. Continue reading...

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36 h. ago Lions vs Australia LIVE: First Test match stream, latest score and updates

Andy Farrell’s tourists battle injury-hit Wallabies in series opener at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium

Sport

36 h. ago Warren Gatland didn't hold back in brutally honest remark to Mako Vunipola

Warren Gatland's man-management was famous in rugby and it proved to have the desired effect on Mako Vunipola during the British and Irish Lions tour in 2021

Events

37 h. ago Warren Gatland's brutally honest remark to Mako Vunipola in harsh Lions tour moment

Mako Vunipola struggled with injuries over the course of 2021, but a brutal dose of reality from Warren Gatland proved to have a huge effect

Events

38 h. ago Lions vs Australia LIVE: Latest score and updates from First Test

Andy Farrell’s tourists battle injury-hit Wallabies in series opener at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium

Politics

39 h. ago Shocking Maro Itoje incident that had fans calling for Lions star to be banned

British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje will lead the touring team out in their opening test against Australia, and he's under pressure to steer the team clear of controversy this time round

Events

51 h. ago Lions desperate for fast start in Test that will set the tone for Australia series

Talk is of a possible clean sweep for tourists but the onus is on Australia to make one or two Lions eat their confident wordsWhatever unfolds over the next three Saturdays this British & Irish Lions series will resonate more than its predecessor. Simply to see visiting fans in red jerseys wandering down Queen Street in central Brisbane is to be thankful the whole enterprise has a beating heart once again, in contrast to South Africa four years ago when a Covid-disrupted, spectator-free experience sapped everyone’s spirits.Because a Lions tour is nothing without a human element, enticed back every four years by the fabled steepness of the challenge. “This is our Everest, boys,” growled Jim Telfer back in 1997 and, as usual, the master coach was right. On only three occasions in the past 50 years has a Lions squad returned home triumphant and, for now, a series win remains the holy grail for the professional egg chasers of England, Ireland, Scotland and, if selected, Wa...

Politics

55 h. ago My message to the Lions: own the experience and convert it into your fuel | Ugo Monye

The tourists are favourites against Australia, who need everything to go their way if they are to compete in this seriesThere is nothing that can compare to running out for a British & Irish Lions Test for the first time. I was speaking to Andy Farrell this week and I was getting goosebumps just thinking about it. Running out on to the field, the noise, the energy, the stakes – it’s completely different from anything those players will have experienced before. It’s a new chemical stimulus and in conversation with Farrell I was immediately transported back to Durban and 2009.For all the sports psychology, visualisation and every bit of preparation you can do, it’s still different. It changed the way I warmed up. I made sure I got out on to the field early just to be able to absorb it. You are not a spectator when the whistle goes, you’re not looking around thinking: “This is cool”. That’s for the fans, so I would go out early to feel it, to sense it and just get used to it. Conti...

Politics

55 h. ago Australia enter Lions’ din with no guarantees that this circus will return

State of domestic rugby union is at crossroads and the 2037 Lions tour operators may end up having their heads turnedThe chatter may be mostly coming from British press, but its volume and repetition has made it impossible to ignore. About whether the Wallabies are worthy adversaries for the British & Irish Lions ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday. Whether Australia – especially without the injured duo Rob Valetini and Will Skelton – will muster much, if any, resistance.Whether the mostly one-sided warm-up matches have provided the preparation the Lions would have liked or the spectators deserved. Whether, even, Lions officials should entertain interest from continental Europe, or South America, before committing to another tour to Australia in 2037. Continue reading...

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