British & Irish Lions Predicted Lineup: Odds for Starting XV vs Wallabies
Rugby NewsTuesday, 27 May 2025 at 11:23
The Lions are coming. With Andy Farrell at the helm and a squad packed with stars from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia is shaping up to be unmissable.
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? Tour Overview
From June to August 2025, the Lions will take on:
Originally slated to face the Melbourne Rebels, that mid-tour slot was reworked after the Rebels disbanded in 2024.
? Odds-On Whitewash?
The Lions are favourites — but a 3-0 series sweep over the Wallabies?
? Lions to win the Test series 3-0: 9/4
(Odds correct at the time of writing; subject to change)
? Predicted Lions Starting XV – Based on Betting Odds
This isn’t our dream team — it’s the starting XV most favoured by the bookies to line up in the first Test against Australia:
Front Row
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
A powerful and versatile prop, Porter is known for his scrummaging strength and work rate around the park.
A powerful and versatile prop, Porter is known for his scrummaging strength and work rate around the park.
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Dynamic and athletic hooker with strong carrying ability and solid set-piece skills.
Dynamic and athletic hooker with strong carrying ability and solid set-piece skills.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
A world-class tighthead prop with superb scrummaging technique, ball-handling skills, and a strong presence in both attack and defence.
A world-class tighthead prop with superb scrummaging technique, ball-handling skills, and a strong presence in both attack and defence.
Second Row
4. Maro Itoje (England)
World-class lock renowned for his lineout dominance, breakdown pressure, and leadership qualities.
World-class lock renowned for his lineout dominance, breakdown pressure, and leadership qualities.
5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
A highly skilled and mobile lock/flanker hybrid, Beirne excels at turnovers and offers great versatility.
A highly skilled and mobile lock/flanker hybrid, Beirne excels at turnovers and offers great versatility.
Back Row
6. Tom Curry (England)
Hard-hitting flanker with a high tackle count and breakdown expertise; a relentless competitor.
Hard-hitting flanker with a high tackle count and breakdown expertise; a relentless competitor.
7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier combines work rate, speed, and breakdown prowess.
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier combines work rate, speed, and breakdown prowess.
8. Ben Earl (England)
Explosive back-row forward with dynamic ball-carrying and strong support play.
Explosive back-row forward with dynamic ball-carrying and strong support play.
Half-Backs
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
A sharp, quick-thinking scrum-half who dictates tempo and brings pace to the game.
A sharp, quick-thinking scrum-half who dictates tempo and brings pace to the game.
10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Creative and unpredictable fly-half known for his vision, flair, and pinpoint passing and kicking.
Creative and unpredictable fly-half known for his vision, flair, and pinpoint passing and kicking.
Centres
12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
A physical, direct inside centre with powerful running lines and strong defensive skills.
A physical, direct inside centre with powerful running lines and strong defensive skills.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland)
A classy outside centre with attacking instincts, speed, and a nose for the try line.
A classy outside centre with attacking instincts, speed, and a nose for the try line.
Back Three
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Towering and powerful winger who’s a constant threat with ball in hand.
Towering and powerful winger who’s a constant threat with ball in hand.
14. James Lowe (Ireland)
Energetic winger with a booming boot, strong defence, and attacking creativity.
Energetic winger with a booming boot, strong defence, and attacking creativity.
15. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Tall, athletic fullback with strong counter-attacking ability and a reliable kicking game.
Tall, athletic fullback with strong counter-attacking ability and a reliable kicking game.
? Full Fixture List – British & Irish Lions Tour 2025
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 20 June | Lions vs Argentina | Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
| Sat 28 June | Western Force vs Lions | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| Wed 2 July | Queensland Reds vs Lions | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| Sat 5 July | NSW Waratahs vs Lions | Sydney Football Stadium |
| Wed 9 July | ACT Brumbies vs Lions | Canberra Stadium, Canberra |
| Sat 12 July | AU & NZ Invitational XV vs Lions | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| Sat 19 July | Australia vs Lions (1st Test) | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| Tue 22 July | First Nations & Pasifika XV vs Lions | Docklands Stadium, Melbourne |
| Sat 26 July | Australia vs Lions (2nd Test) | MCG, Melbourne |
| Sat 2 August | Australia vs Lions (3rd Test) | Stadium Australia, Sydney |
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