The British & Irish Lions’ 2025 tour to Australia will be one of the most anticipated events in the 2025 rugby calendar and one of key moments will be the squad announcement, when we find out which England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales players have made the cut.
The official announcement will take place on Thursday May 8 at London’s O2 arena in front of more than 2,000 Lions fans. Lions Rugby Club members will have priority access to tickets.
Related: Reimagining where Lions tours should go
Chair Ieuan Evans will reveal Andy Farrell’s much-anticipated squad for the Tour down under. The side’s first match is against Argentina in Dublin on Friday 20 June.
They will then travel that weekend to Australia before playing the Western Force in Perth on Saturday 28 June in the first British & Irish Lions 2025 fixture in the southern hemisphere.
Typical Timeline for Announcements
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell will lead the Lions in Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
The head coach set-up has already been confirmed, with Andy Farrell appointed in January 2024.
Farrell, who has been part of previous Lions tours as a defence coach, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record with Ireland. His familiarity with the Lions’ environment is expected to be advantageous as he leads the team in Australia.
Farrell has already confirmed the first three members of his Lions coaching team – David Nucifora as General Manger, Performance, Aled Walters as Head of Athletic Performance and Vinny Hammond as Head of Analysis – and will announce his assistants on Wednesday 26 March.
Read more: Which coaches will join Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions coaching staff?
Names in the Hat for Captaincy
Speculation about the Lions’ captaincy is intensifying. A leading candidate is Ireland’s Caelan Doris, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and on-field prowess during the Autumn Nations Series and his side’s Six Nations 2025 fixtures. His strong connection with Farrell could make his appointment as captain a seamless transition.
Saracens and England captain Maro Itoje is another strong contender, especially as he’s likely to be one of the first names on the team sheet and has already played in six previous Lions Test matches.
Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu may also end up in the mix, though a lot will depend on his recovery from the pectoral injury that has kept him out of the Six Nations.
Shock Omissions and Surprise Inclusions
Lions tours are often marked by surprise selections and notable omissions.
In the 2021 tour to South Africa, the exclusion of experienced players like Johnny Sexton and Billy Vunipola sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts.
Conversely, the inclusion of relatively unheralded players who made significant impacts underscores the selectors’ emphasis on current form and tactical fit over reputation. Jared Payne in 2017 and Chris Harris in 2021 are both examples of surprise selections.
As the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement approaches, similar surprises may emerge, reflecting the dynamic nature of rugby and the depth of talent available across the home nations.
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