🦁 Beirne to Captain Lions Towards Waratahs – Irish Contingent Robust for Sydney Showdown
Tadhg Beirne will lead the British & Irish Lions into their subsequent Tour match this Saturday as Andy Farrell’s males tackle the New South Wales Waratahs on the Allianz Stadium in Sydney (KO 11:00 BST).
The Munster and Eire talisman steps into the captaincy function as Maro Itoje is rested, with Beirne joined within the second row by James Ryan, forming an all-Irish engine room.
The choice represents a serious likelihood for a number of Irish gamers to push their claims for inclusion within the Check squad to face Australia — with many eyes on Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan, Finlay Bealham, and Josh van der Flier.
🇮🇪 Huge Check for Mack, Health Look ahead to Hugo, Bealham in Check Body
Mack Hansen will get the nod on the wing and will likely be keen to point out the innovative that made him a fan favorite throughout the 2023 Six Nations. It’s an enormous alternative to see if he can switch his type to the Lions stage.
Hugo Keenan begins at full-back in what will likely be his Lions debut. The Leinster man is getting back from damage and this will likely be a key outing to evaluate his match health earlier than a possible check function towards the Wallabies.
Finlay Bealham continues to press exhausting. With Tadhg Furlong nonetheless discovering high gear, one other sturdy efficiency from Bealham may edge him into the 23 for the First Check. Dan Sheehan and Furlong are additionally amongst a robust Irish bench.
In complete, 10 Irish gamers characteristic within the matchday squad.
📋 Lions XV to Face New South Wales Waratahs
British & Irish Lions v NSW Waratahs
Saturday sixth July 2025 – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 11:00am BST | Dwell on Sky Sports activities
Beginning XV:
- 15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/ Eire) 🦁 Debut
- 14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/ Eire) #867
- 13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #878
- 12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #863
- 11. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/ Scotland) 🦁 Debut
- 10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/ England) #862
- 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/ England) #860
- 1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/ Scotland) #868
- 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/ England) #851
- 3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/ Eire) #856
- 4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/ Eire) #838 (c)
- 5. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/ Eire) #880
- 6. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/ England) #865
- 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/ Eire) #874
- 8. Ben Earl (Saracens/ England) #857
Replacements:
- 16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/ Eire) #873
- 17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/ England) #859
- 18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/ Eire) #818
- 19. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/ Eire) #871
- 20. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869
- 21. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/ Wales) #861
- 22. Ben White (Toulon/ Scotland)
- 23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
🩺 Squad Replace: Daly Out, Farrell In
Elliot Daly has been dominated out of the remainder of the Tour after fracturing his forearm towards the Queensland Reds. Owen Farrell has been known as up as his alternative and can be part of the squad in Sydney on Friday night.
Farrell, Lion #780, returns for his fourth Tour after making 18 Lions appearances between 2013 and 2021. The 33-year-old is England’s report factors scorer.
Andy Farrell: “It’s heartbreaking for the group that Elliot’s Tour is over. He’s a Lions legend and has added a lot to the group each on and off the sector.”
Tour Supervisor Ieuan Evans: “Elliot is an excellent Lion and a world-class participant who will likely be sorely missed. All of us want him a speedy restoration.”
LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com
