Andy Farrell has named his Lions team to play Brumbies - and it's the closest to the possible test XV we've seen yet.
British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has named his squad to take on the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday night — and there’s a special return in store for Connacht and Ireland flyer Mack Hansen, who faces his former club in his hometown of Canberra.
? CAPTAIN MARO RETURNS
England lock Maro Itoje (Saracens) reclaims the captain’s armband and partners Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Ireland) in a towering second-row duo.
?️ Farrell on Brumbies Clash:
“In 2013, the Brumbies beat the Lions here — and they’ve been Australia’s standout side this year. We know exactly what we’re up against.
It’s also a special moment for Mack Hansen, playing in his hometown against some familiar faces. He’s buzzing.”
? What’s Next?
The Lions arrived in Canberra Monday night for their fourth game of the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Tour.
They’ll head to Adelaide on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s clash against an Australia & New Zealand Invitational XV.
Lions team to play Brumbies:
15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Tommy Freeman
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
14. Tommy Freeman
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje (captain)
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Tom Curry
8. Jack Conan
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje (captain)
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Tom Curry
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Andrew Porter
18. Will Stuart
19. Josh van der Flier
20. Henry Pollock
21. Alex Mitchell
22. Marcus Smith
23. Mack Hansen
17. Andrew Porter
18. Will Stuart
19. Josh van der Flier
20. Henry Pollock
21. Alex Mitchell
22. Marcus Smith
23. Mack Hansen
Lions tour schedule
Friday 20th June: Lions 24-28 Argentina
Saturday 28th June: Western Force 7-54 Lions
Wednesday 2nd July: Reds 12-52 Lions
Saturday 5th July: Waratahs 10-21 Lions
Wednesday 9th July: Brumbies vs Lions
Saturday 12th July: Invitational AU & NZ VS Lions
Saturday 19th July: Australia vs Lions (First Test)
Tuesday 22nd July: First Nations and Pasifika XV vs Lions
Saturday 26th July: Australia vs Lions (Second Test)
Saturday 2nd August: Australia vs Lions (Third Test)
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“Test dreams in tatters” – 5 Lions flops who’ve fallen flat on tour
Four matches in, and the Lions tour is already separating the contenders from the pretenders. While some players are pushing hard for a place in the Test XV, others have gone missing when it mattered most.
Whether it’s rust, nerves, or just being outplayed, these five Lions have done themselves no favours – and could be heading home with regret.
Fin Smith – Under pressure, underwhelming
All eyes were on Fin Smith to make a statement with Owen Farrell still looming over the fly-half conversation. But instead of stepping up, he produced a performance that did little to settle nerves.
Smith failed to make a major impression in the tour opener against Argentina, looking tentative and overly conservative in key moments.
Things didn’t improve much in his second outing against the Waratahs, where he tried to force the issue in the second half—only for the mistakes to pile up and the game to slip further away from him.
? Test chances: Fading fast. He’s no longer a clear bench option, and others are circling.
Hugo Keenan – Off the boil
After being made to wait for his chance, Keenan finally got his shot against the Waratahs—and it couldn’t have gone much worse.
He opened with a dropped ball under little pressure and followed it with a missed tackle that directly led to a try. Normally so composed and reliable, Keenan looked rattled from the off and never quite found his rhythm or influence on the game.
? Test chances: This was a golden opportunity to nail down a claim. He let it slip through his fingers—literally.
Pierre Schoeman – Scrummaged into trouble
The Lions scrum was meant to be a weapon—but against the Force, it was anything but. Schoeman struggled to hold his ground and was part of a front row that got manhandled far too often.
With Ellis Genge putting in a dominant shift last week, Schoeman’s underwhelming showing couldn’t have come at a worse time. The raw power and aggression he’s known for were notably absent.
? Test chances: He’s still in the mix, but firmly behind the frontrunners now.
Tom Curry – A shadow of his best
This tour was supposed to be Curry’s return to dominance, but so far he’s looked anything but. Against Argentina in the opener and again versus the Reds, Curry seemed a step behind play.
His trademark defensive tenacity was muted, and while he rallied late on with a few solid tackles, the damage was already done. His lack of synergy with the back row around him was noticeable—and concerning.
? Test chances: Still respected, but form has to match reputation. Right now, it doesn’t.
Duhan van der Merwe – Rusty and out of rhythm
The big winger has been one of the Lions’ most electric weapons in recent years, but injuries have clearly disrupted his build-up.
He’s looked off the pace, lacking sharpness both with ball in hand and in defensive positioning. Meanwhile, James Lowe has seized every chance to impress. Duhan’s physicality remains a threat, but his edge seems dulled for now.
? Test chances: Slipping away quickly. Needs a statement game—and soon.
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