British & Irish Lions news: Complete fixture list and opposition breakdown for Australia tour

The British & Irish Lions are set to play 10 games as part of their 2025 tour to Australia, with nine of those taking place Down Under.

Three Tests against the Wallabies serve as the series highlight, of course, but there is a good mix of fixtures to help Andy Farrell’s side warm up for the main event.

And while the overall number of games is fewer than in older Lions tours, each match remains an opportunity for players to stake their claim for a Test spot.

Ahead of the much-anticipated tour, Sports News Blitz rugby writer Charlie Elliot takes a look at the fixture list and breaks down each opposition team.

Full Lions fixture list

Argentina – 20 June, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (8pm BST)

Western Force – 28 June, Optus Stadium, Perth (11am BST)

Queensland Reds – 2 July, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (11am BST)

NSW Waratahs – 5 July, Allianz Stadium, Sydney (11am BST)

ACT Brumbies – 9 July, GIO Stadium, Canberra (11am BST)

Invitational AU-NZ side – 12 July, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (11am BST)

Australia (first Test) – 19 July, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (11am BST)

First Nations & Pasifika XV – 22 July, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne (11am BST)

Australia (second Test) – 26 July, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne (11am BST)

Australia (third Test) – 2 August, Accor Stadium, Sydney (11am BST)

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Argentina

Before heading out to Australia, the Lions face Argentina in Dublin for the 1888 Cup.

The game is the first time that the Lions have played in Ireland and serves not only as preparation but a chance to retain a trophy.

Currently the holders of the 1888 Cup after beating Japan 28-10 in Edinburgh prior to the 2021 tour to South Africa, the Lions have bragging rights at stake in front of a home crowd.

Fans are sure to be familiar with a lot of Los Pumas’ players as a number of them ply their trade in the Premiership and United Rugby Championship.

In particular, Santi Carreras, Rodrigo Isgro, and Julian Montoya should be recognisable names to English rugby fans.

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Western Force

The first game in Australia follows eight days after the clash with Argentina in Dublin and is against Super Rugby Pacific side the Western Force.

Force had an indifferent season, with four wins and nine defeats to their name, but their ability to score points was relatively impressive.

An average of just over 26 points per game is not a record to be entirely scoffed at, although defence is clearly a weak point.

Andy Farrell is likely hoping that this match-up provides a useful test and can perhaps prepare his side for facing a slightly different brand of attacking rugby Down Under.

Nic Dolly, meanwhile, might be a familiar face to some Lions fans as the English hooker with one Test cap to his name joined the Perth-based team from Leicester Tigers.

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Queensland Reds

Next up on the fixture list is a mammoth trip across the country, from west to east, to face the Queensland Reds only four days after the Force game.

Another Super Rugby Pacific side, the Reds were in much better form this season, with eight wins and four defeats accrued before a qualifying-final loss to the Crusaders.

They were arguably the toughest game outside of the Tests in 2013, and the Lions can expect a workout once again despite a lot having changed in the subsequent 12 years.

Luke Morahan opened the try-scoring for the Reds back then and a shock actually looked to be on the cards until a few Owen Farrell penalties secured a hard-fought 22-12 win for the visitors.

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NSW Waratahs

In 1888, the first-ever Lions vs New South Wales game took place when a record crowd of 18,000 people watched the Lions win 18-2.

Since then, the teams have played each other over 20 times, with the tourists coming out on top in the majority of the games.

The last meeting between the two sides was a 47-17 win for the Lions on the 125th anniversary tour in 2013.

While an argument can be made that the Waratahs are a separate entity to that original side, the rivalry between NSW and the Lions cannot be disputed.

Although they finished eight in Super Rugby Pacific, the Tahs have arguably the strongest squad out of the Australian franchises and boast numerous internationals in their ranks.

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ACT Brumbies

Another game that could prove tough comes in the form of a trip to the capital Canberra to face the ACT Brumbies.

In 2013, the Brumbies actually beat the Lions 14-12 in a midweek game after a rotated touring team was put out on the back of a big win over the Waratahs.

Farrell is definitely hoping that history doesn't repeat itself, but this game is likely already earmarked as one for a bit of rotation.

The Brumbies came third in Super Rugby Pacific, the highest of any Australian side, which was a surprise to most fans given their unfancied nature going into the season.

Rob Valetini of the Wallabies is their key man, although a hamstring injury ensured that his season was a very stop-start affair.

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Invitational AU-NZ side

One of the more interesting teams that the Lions are facing is an invitational Australia–New Zealand XV in their final match before the first Test.

The host team is set to feature Super Rugby–level players who aren’t in contention for either the All Blacks or Wallabies.

Indeed, with France heading to New Zealand later this summer, any potential All Blacks contenders are probably a doubt for an exhibition match.

That said, any player eligible for the All Blacks or Wallabies can play in this game, so we may see some interesting names that currently play elsewhere, such as the numerous Kiwis who are in the Japanese league.

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First Nations & Pasifika XV

Between the first and second Tests, a ground-breaking match is going to take place in Melbourne.

Originally meant to be a clash between the Lions and the Melbourne Rebels, a gap in the schedule was formed following the Rebels going into administration.

That gap is now filled by a side featuring players exclusively of First Nations and Pacific Islander heritage in a huge step by Rugby Australia to promote inclusivity.

As the first-ever match of its kind, it is interesting to see how the First Nations & Pasifika XV choose to line up, especially as there is a whole host of Super Rugby talent to choose from.

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Australia

Joe Schmidt’s side had a successful Autumn Nations Series, beating Wales and England in unexpected but thrilling fashion, and will be seeking revenge for their 2-1 series loss to the Lions in 2013.

There is some very impressive talent coming through the ranks in Australia now and the Wallabies finally appear to be on the up after a period in the doldrums.

Home advantage is key for the hosts, with the huge crowds sure to mostly support the men in yellow, while the climate could also be a factor.

In the end, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney are hosting the Tests and the overall winner after those three titanic clashes gets to etch their name in the history books forever.

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