Lions Tour 2025: Fixtures, UK kick-off times, venues and Andy Farrell’s confirmed squad for Australia series 

17/06/2025 11:38

The British and Irish Lions are preparing for their tour of Australia this summer, heading Down Under for the first time since 2013.

Every four years, rugby stars from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales come together aiming to become a legend as part of the iconic team.

Last time out in 2021, the Lions were beaten in their test against South Africa alongside multiple other clashes against the country's local teams. 

That was Warren Gatland's final tour in charge, with Andy Farrell now taking over and looking to lead his side to success on the other side of the world. 

When is the Lions tour of Australia?

The British and Irish Lions will begin their tour of Australia on Saturday, June 28 and it will last five weeks before coming to an end on August 2. 

They will play a total of nine games on the tour Down Under, starting with a clash against Western Force in Perth. 

Of the nine games, three will be tests against Australia and the other six will be against teams from around the country. 

Eight matches are scheduled to get started at 10:45am UK time, while a meeting with an invitational Aussie and New Zealand side starts at 10:15am. 

The entire tour will be exclusively broadcast live on talkSPORT, with former England and Australia coach Eddie Jones part of our team. 

Jones is set to be joined by British & Irish Lions heavyweight Ben Kay, Ireland's Gordon D'Arcy and Wales' Alex Cuthbert, as well as rugby legends Scotland's Jim Hamilton, England's Rocky Clark and Aussie Matt Giteau. 

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Lions tour of Australia: Squad 

The official British and Irish Lions squad has now been announced.

Maro Itoje has been named captain, becoming the first Englishman to take on the role for 24 years.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris was tipped for captaincy too, but his injury has seen him miss out on the squad completely.

Only two Wales internationals have made the team in Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams, while Scottish star Finn Russell is travelling along with rising English star Henry Pollock.

Coach Farrell has left out his son Owen Farrell, who is currently ineligible to play for England after joining Racing 92 in France.

You can find the entire British and Irish Lions squad below:

Lions tour of Australia: Schedule

The Lions begin their schedule together on Friday, June 20, as they face Argentina in Dublin to get things started.

But then the tour of Australia will begin a week later, and here is the full schedule: 

All kick-off times GMT

• The Lions vs Argentina – June 20, 8pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
• Western Force vs The Lions – June 28, 10:45am – Optus Stadium, Perth
• Queensland Reds vs The Lions – July 2, 10:45am – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 
• NSW Waratahs vs The Lions – July 5, 10:45am – Allianz Stadium, Sydney 
• ACT Brumbies vs The Lions – July 9, 10:45am – GIO Stadium, Canberra 
• Invitational AU-NZ vs The Lions – July 12, 10:15am – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
• Australia vs The Lions (First Test) – July 19, 10:45am – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
• First Nations & Pasifika XV vs The Lions – July 22, 10:45am – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
• Australia vs The Lions (Second Test) – July 26, 10:45am – MCG, Melbourne 
• Australia vs The Lions (Third Test) – August 2, 10:45am – Accor Stadium, Sydney 

Lions tour of Australia: What has been said? 

After being named captain of the British and Irish Lions, Itoje said: “It is hard to articulate.

“It is a tremendous honour, a tremendous privilege. You think about the people who have held this position before, and it is remarkable.

“It is an honour and I will do my very best so that I can contribute to a successful tour.”

Meanwhile, Wales’ Williams has spoken about being selected for the team, saying: “I have got to admit I did shed a tear.

“The last two days, I’ve been an emotional wreck. Grateful for my parents, my partner Laura and everyone who has helped me.

“The top of the mountain. You cannot get much higher than this achievement. I’ll get a bit of stick for this, no doubt.”