98 m. 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

6 h. ago Lions team vs Australia: Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu picked to start First Test as Owen Farrell misses out

All-Scottish centre partnership outside Finn Russell as Bundee Aki and Marcus Smith named on bench

Politics

7 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

Politics

7 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...

Politics

29 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

31 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

3 d. ago Euro 2025: England route to final as potential Spain showdown awaits Lionesses

A showdown with Spain is on the cards after Lionesses claim runners-up spot in Group D

Politics

3 d. ago I8 pictures that sum up Wales' incredible Euro 2025 experience in Switzerland

Girls have been inspired across the country by a group of players who have defied the odds

Politics

3 d. ago 18 pictures that sum up Wales' incredible Euro 2025 experience in Switzerland

Girls have been inspired across the country by a group of players who have defied the odds

Politics

4 d. ago Andy Farrell is warned not to count Australia out as Lions focus on first Test

Ian Foster backs Wallabies’ Joe Schmidt to ‘build belief’Henry Pollock says Lions ‘believe 3-0 is on the table’Andy Farrell has been warned against underestimating his opposite number, Joe Schmidt, as the buildup to the British & Irish Lions series intensifies. Farrell is about to sit down with his assistants to finalise his selection plans for Saturday’s first Test against Australia, but those familiar with the wily Schmidt insist the Lions could yet be unexpectedly outflanked.While Farrell and Schmidt know each other extremely well from their time working together with Ireland, the former All Black coach Ian Foster believes the forthcoming series is not a foregone conclusion. Foster says the Lions’ first Test selection will need to be spot on if the touring team are to see off the Wallabies in Brisbane. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Owen Farrell to make first appearance of Lions tour in final audition before Tests

The English fly half will feature off the bench in Adelaide as the Lions face an AUNZ Invitational XV

Politics

8 d. ago Van der Flier caps win as Lions labour to patchy victory over ACT Brumbies

ACT Brumbies 24-36 British & Irish LionsInjury fears after Blair Kinghorn replaced early onWhen they reflect on their night’s work in Canberra the British & Irish Lions will once again have mixed emotions. At their best the touring team look sharp and dangerous but, with the Test series fast approaching, they are still not firing on all cylinders in some key areas. A first-half injury to full-back Blair Kinghorn has also come at a delicate moment ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday week.Fielding close to their best starting XV, the Lions finished up scoring five tries with Ollie Chessum, James Lowe and Marcus Smith crossing in the first and Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier following suit in the second. The in-form Finn Russell also contributed 11 points with the boot to cap another assured performance. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Six Nations: The British Lions who staked their claim for a place Down Under

The 2025 Six Nations was the final audition for many wannabe tourists, with some nailing their spot in Andy Farrell's squad for the upcoming summer tour

Politics

3 w. ago Doctors told my Nana she had a short while left. They were wrong. She defied the odds and lived for almost a decade. That's why I'll be voting AGAINST the assisted dying bill: ROBERT JENRICK

Robert Jenrick has made an emotional appeal against assisted dying, as MPs prepare for a momentous vote on whether to let the terminally ill end their own lives.

Society

3 w. ago 'I've known Cristiano Ronaldo for years – I can't accept claim about Lionel Messi'

Real Madrid icon Marcelo, who played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and faced Lionel Messi multiple times, has shared his thoughts on who is the greatest footballer of all time

Politics

4 w. ago Danny Care backs ‘incredible’ Marcus Smith to make mark on Lions tour

The Harlequins playmaker will wear the number 15 jersey in the Lions’ pre-tour clash with Argentina.

Politics

4 w. ago ‘That’s how it should be’: Lions selection wide open due to great competition says Andy Farrell

Maro Itoje captains the touring side for the first time and is joined in the starting XV by Marcus Smith.

Politics

4 w. ago That’s how it should be – Andy Farrell insists Lions places still up for grabs

Maro Itoje captains the touring side for the first time and is joined in the starting XV by Marcus Smith.

Politics

4 w. ago Maro Itoje to captain British & Irish Lions for first time in Argentina warm

XV features Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell and Fin SmithTadhg Furlong also has the chance to prove his fitnessMaro Itoje will captain the British & Irish Lions for the first time in their non-cap international against Argentina in Dublin on Friday.The England skipper Itoje leads a starting XV that features Marcus Smith at full-back and will be directed by England half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith.This story will update Continue reading...

Events

4 w. ago Lions star pays tribute to Marcus Smith after admitting "maybe he's a bit of a "*****"

The British and Irish Lions have just enjoyed their first week together and Mack Hansen has hailed the personal qualities of Marcus Smith whilst acknowledging what the outside perception might be

Politics