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

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

39 h. ago Today's rugby news as Scotland come to Wales' aid and Sexton makes Finn Russell admission

The latest rugby news stories from the Lions tour and the rest of the world

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 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...

Politics

59 h. ago Johnny Sexton reveals how ‘matured’ Finn Russell has surprised him on British and Irish Lions tour

The Scottish fly half has been handed the reins for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane

Politics

60 h. ago Pete Samu: Lions accused of blocking Australia No8 from tour match in eligibility row

Lions insist they did not object to 33-cap Wallaby forward playing for First Nations and Pasifika XV, who are “gutted” by his withdrawal

Politics

61 h. ago Sports quiz of the week: Lions, the Open, the Tour and the first £1m player

Have you been following the big stories in football, tennis, golf, cycling, boxing and rugby union? Continue reading...

Sport

62 h. ago Lions accused of blocking Pasifika XV star in eligibility row on eve of series

‘Devastated’ Samu told he cannot feature in tour match‘They must have been worried we were going to win’The British & Irish Lions have been accused of running scared on the eve of the first Test against the Wallabies, amid a disagreement over the availability of Pete Samu for next week’s First Nations & Pasifika XV tour match.Samu, who last season represented Bordeaux before joining the Waratahs for the next Super Rugby season, has been blocked from playing in Tuesday’s game and is said by the head coach, Toutai Kefu, to be “devastated”. Continue reading...

Politics

65 h. ago Captain Harry Wilson backs Wallabies to surprise British & Irish Lions in first Test

Australia’s No 8 says team will try to ‘win every moment’ on SaturdayNick Champion de Crespigny and Tom Lynagh come into injury-depleted squad Australia captain Harry Wilson said the Wallabies were confident of beating the British & Irish Lions in the first Test at Lang Park on Saturday despite being heavy underdogs after losing several key players to injury.The Wallabies have won only four of their last 11 Tests and on Saturday will be without regular fly-half Noah Lolesio and their best Test player of the last two years, loose forward Rob Valetini. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. 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

Politics

4 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 Truth behind awkward Lions photo emerges as Gavin Henson leaves Lawrence Dallaglio stunned

The former Wales and Lions star spoke about the 2005 tour to New Zealand and his prediction for the Australia game this weekend

Events

4 d. ago Two key areas where Scotland must improve in tour finale as Lions

Gregor Townsend makes five changes as Scots look to bounce back against Samoa

Politics

5 d. 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

5 d. ago Why the British and Irish Lions’ uncertain future could be bad news for Australia

With more regular games against France, Argentina and others mooted, this summer’s series feels vital for the Wallabies to prove their worth

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 Lions hopeful admits losing a stone in 12 days as 'getting off the toilet was an issue'

British and Irish Lions fullback Hugo Keenan endured a slow start to the tour of Australia with the Irishman's illness seeing him married to the toilet as he lost considerable weight

Politics

6 d. ago Lions call in three Scotland players overnight as Welsh hopefuls overlooked

The Lions have now called up a total of 44 players on tour, and only one Welshman remains as part of the squad

Sport