British and Irish Lions

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#British and Irish Lions

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>40 YEARS AGO: Robert Jones of the British Lions tackles Wayne Smith of the Rest of the World but Smith has already completed his pass, during the rugby union match between the British Lions and the Rest of the World at Cardiff Arms Park on 16th April 1986. Pic: Mike Brett/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images.</p>

rugby

How apartheid stopped the British and Irish Lions in 1986 and shaped Nigel Carr’s career

Nigel Carr’s lone Lions cap tells a wider story of apartheid, protest, and rugby’s uneasy relationship with politics

<p>The Wallabies may have lost the series 2-1 to the Lions but the tour was a success off the pitch for Australia. Pic: Steve Christo/Sportsfile</p>

business of sport

Lions tour drives record €43 million surplus for Rugby Australia

<p> Auckland's Go Media Stadium will host the first Test on September 11, 2027. Pic: Phil Walter/Getty Images</p>

rugby

Auckland to host opening test in inaugural women's Lions tour

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test

rugby

Lions tour changed England lock's preconceptions about Irish players

Ireland and Lions winger Mick Lane dies aged 99

rugby

Ireland and Lions winger Mick Lane dies aged 99

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test

rugby

Hugo Keenan and Joe McCarthy facing spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery

Australia v British & Irish Lions: Third Test

British and Irish Lions tour helps wipe out crippling debt on Rugby Australia

It's the first time the sport's governing body has been debt-free since 2021, when it took out an initial $40 million loan

Tue, 02 Sep, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test

Jac Morgan’s pivotal Lions moment reignites jackling debate in rugby

Some people consider it sacrosanct but has World Rugby extended too much latitude to the jackler or ‘stealer’?

Tue, 12 Aug, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 3rd Test

S Duncan Casey: The moment that encapsulated Lions’ sloppy display in third Test

It comes in the lead up to Max Jorgensen’s brilliantly taken turnover try that put the Wallabies 15-0 up in the 55th minute.

Tue, 05 Aug, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test

Lions end of tour wrap: Keenan's try, Beirne's performances and Ringrose's selflessness

Was this a great Lions team and tour? It may not be in the pantheon of the giants of 1974 and 1997 and others of much older stock but it was a winning outfit that overcame a Wallabies side which grew into the series after a poor start and belied the gloomy predictions of Joe Schmidt’s side being whitewashed by cricket scores.

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Australia v British and Irish Lions - Qatar Airways Lions Tour 2025 - Accor Stadium

Four match ban for Lions hooker Dan Sheehan

The Ireland hooker did not accept there was foul play which the Committee took into account and did not reduce the full 50% mitigation when deciding the final sanction

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Lions Tour Special: reviewing the highs and lows of Australian adventure

Lions Tour Special: reviewing the highs and lows of Australian adventure

Simon Lewis in Sydney reflects on his time in Oz following the tourists Down Under, with host Brendan O'Brien.

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 3rd Test

Lightning doesn't strike thrice for the Lions as Australia lay down a marker

Lions head coach Andy Farrell has no doubt this Australian side, which will be under the guidance of incoming head coach Les Kiss by the time the World Cup comes here in a little over two years, has good times in its future.

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Bundee Aki with friends and family after the game 22/7/2025

Bundee Aki reveals wife gave birth in car hours before first Lions test

Bundee Aki and his wife Kayla welcomed their fifth child who has been named Áine

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

Australia v British and Irish Lions - Qatar Airways Lions Tour 2025 - Accor Stadium

Lions CEO says Andy Farrell in 'very strong position' to lead tourists to New Zealand in 2029

The Lions chief executive on Sunday said the appointment process for the New Zealand tour would not start until two years out but made it clear that Farrell was the frontrunner to take charge.

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 3rd Test

Lions CEO: It is 100% our ambition to return to Australia

Ben Calveley was speaking at the end of nine-game tour in which Andy Farrell’s Lions completed a 2-1 series win over the Australians.

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 3rd Test

Andy Farrell: It might take one or two beers before Lions players understand their achievement

The tourists became only the third Lions side to win a series in the professional era, following successful victories over South Africa in 1997 and the 2013 Australians.

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 3rd Test

Lions player ratings v Australia: Hugo Keenan and Tom Curry the best from a disappointing third Test

Australia salvaged some pride to avoid a 3-0 whitewash from the Lions' Tour Down Under.

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Tate McDermott celebrates try score 2/8/2025

British & Irish Lions fail in clean sweep bid as Australia storm to third Test triumph

The Lions will depart with a first series victory in 12 years having last won in Australia in 2013 but a 2-1 success was not what Andy Farrell and his squad left home shores to achieve.

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Jeremy Williams and Nick Frost celebrate winning a penalty 2/8/2025

As it happened: Australia salvage some pride against the Lions in heavily delayed third Test

The British & Irish Lions were looking to end the Tour Down Under with another victory.

Sat, 02 Aug, 2025

Lions Tour Special: Wallabies' complaints and Farrell shows his hand for final Test

Lions Tour Special: Wallabies' complaints and Farrell shows his hand for final Test

Brendan O'Brien is joined by Simon Lewis from Sydney

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

First Nations and Pasifika XV v British and Irish Lions - Qatar Airways Lions Tour 2025 - Marvel Stadium

Andy Farrell: 'We have a massive responsibility to make sure that we finish this off'

The Lions boss does not expect the perfect performance at Accor Stadium but wants his tourists to and show just what they are made of.

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

Your sport on TV this week: All-Ireland Ladies finals, Lions v Australia and the Galway Races

Your sport on TV this week: All-Ireland Ladies finals, Lions v Australia and the Galway Races

It is another action packed weekend of sport on TV this weekend with the All-Ireland Ladies football finals, the final British and Irish Lions Test against the Wallabies and the Galway Races - all you need to know here.

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

James Ryan celebrates in the dressing room after the match 26/7/2025

Andy Farrell makes two changes for final Lions Test

Joe Schmidt has made four changes to the Wallabies starting side

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

A view of a Lion’s fan ahead of the match 26/7/2025

Letter from Sydney: 12-hour rail odyssey from Melbourne is essence of a Lions tour

Interstate train journey offered the chance to spot kangaroos, the rocky landscape and even a World Cup-winning Wallaby

Wed, 30 Jul, 2025

British & Irish Lions Squad Training and Media Conference

Andrew Goodman: 'A big part of his philosophy as a coach is just that, to make sure everyone is all in'

“Just his relentlessness. It’s not just one thing, it’s because it’s every day. He’s always on having fun as a group. Today we got down to training and he’d sent Fogs down early to set up the Squid Game mini-team challenge, the whole field was covered in equipment."

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

British & Irish Lions Squad Training and Media Conference

Maro Itoje: British and Irish players will want to be a Lion as long as rugby is being played

Despite the world rugby calendar being under strain, and with a breakaway Rugby 360 tournament set to be launched placing increasing pressure on international teams, the current captain made his case for the continuation of a touring tradition now 137 years old.

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

World Rugby Media Conference - Rugby World Cup France 2023

Don't question our commitment to player welfare, World Rugby tells Joe Schmidt

Governing body attempts to draw a line under controversial clear out decision in second test in Melbourne

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

World Rugby Elections

Australia 2027 to be most accessible Rugby World Cup in history, organisers vow

More than 2.5 million tickets will be made available with tickets for pool matches, up for grabs in a closed pre-sale to supporters who register.

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test

Garry Ringrose ruled out of Lions’ third Test against Wallabies

The Leinster man entered the 12-day return to play protocols a second time.

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Joe Schmidt and Dan Sheehan shakes hands after the match 26/7/2025

S Duncan Casey: Wallabies restore some pride but they were too late to Lions party

Joe Schmidt made sure Australia got their act together for the second test in Melbourne.

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

BIL the Lion 26/7/2025

Victorious Lions stand on the verge of all-time greatness

Watched by more than 90,000 supporters – a record for any Lions Test – it ranked up there with the most gripping Tests of the modern era.

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose celebrate after the match 26/7/2025

Huw Jones hails 'brave' Garry Ringrose for withdrawing from Lions line-up with head injury

“I was gutted for him, because he deserved to play and I know he would have been unbelievable today. That's rugby, that's sport sometimes," said Jones who replaced him in the Lions' line-up.

Mon, 28 Jul, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test

S Donal Lenihan: Wounded Wallabies rescue series and make victory that much sweeter

The Australians are a special breed of competitive animal especially when taken for granted.

Mon, 28 Jul, 2025

Jack Conan 25/7/2025

Be 'prepared to win with skill but be ready to win by will' - Katie Taylor message helped Lions to second half comeback

"It was unbelievably poignant, it was class. It really hit home for us, it was brilliant" - Jack Conan on fellow Bray native Katie Taylor's message to the squad.

Mon, 28 Jul, 2025

Finn Russell with his daughter Charlie 26/7/2025

'We knew what we had to get done' - Finn Russell hails calm Lions' reaction

The Lions clinched the series with a dramatic win in Melbourne on Saturday.

Sun, 27 Jul, 2025

Hugo Keenan celebrates with fans after the match 26/7/2025

Special moment surreal for Keenan after mixed Lions tour

Keenan’s 79th minute score completed a remarkable fightback from the Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Andy Farrell, Sione Tuipulotu and Owen Farrell celebrate winning the match 26/7/2025

Lions hold nerve as Andy Farrell celebrates a feat that 'dreams are made of'

The Lions left it late to secure the victory which made it 2-0 in the Test series

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Australia v British & Irish Lions - 2nd Test

'Human error' - Schmidt critical of late refereeing decision that cost Wallabies

Angry Australia boss Schmidt cited rugby’s law 9.20b when claiming Hugo Keenan’s winning try for the Lions should have been ruled out.

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Will Skelton with Owen Farrell after the game 19/7/2025

S Ronan O’Gara: Even when there’s a Will, there isn’t always a way

Melbourne offers the Wallabies a final lifeline — but Joe Schmidt’s side must find belief before it’s too late

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Sportsguide: Kerry v Donegal, Test Two on Lions Tour and Women's Euro final

Sportsguide: Kerry v Donegal, Test Two on Lions Tour and Women's Euro final

It is another action packed weekend of sport with the All-Ireland SFC final between Kerry and Donegal, the second Test between the Lions and Australia and the Women's Euro final between England and Spain - all you need to know here.

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

James Lowe 25/7/2025

S Donal Lenihan: Lions must kill series here and now

The tourists have the opportunity to get the job done in Melbourne on Saturday.

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Barbarians v Fiji - Killik Cup - Twickenham Stadium

Martin Johnson's 'good advice' could help Lions seal Tour triumph says John Fogarty

The British & Irish Lions legend visited the Lions camp in Melbourne on Thursday night for the shirt-presenting ceremony ahead of Saturday’s game.

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Maro Itoje 25/7/2025

'We are not playing a pub team' - Lions captain Maro Itoje dismisses Australia frailty talk

The British & Irish Lions have a chance to wrap up the series in front of an estimated 90,000-plus crowd on Saturday.

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Lions Tour Special: a crucial innings for the Wallabies in Melbourne

Lions Tour Special: a crucial innings for the Wallabies in Melbourne

Andy Farrell's tourists will attempt to clinch the series win against Australia at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Simon Lewis checks in with Brendan O'Brien.

Listen | Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Thomas Clarkson, Finlay Bealham, Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Tom Curry 24/7/2025

S Jack Anderson: the lessons Down Under for the GAA and Irish sport

The problems facing professional sport in Australia may help illuminate a path forward for the Association here.

Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Andrew Porter 24/7/2025

'Another dream ticked off' for Porter as Lions Test start awaits

From being a Lions Test debutant off the bench in Brisbane last Saturday to reaching the pinnacle of any Irish player’s career and becoming a starter, it cannot get much better for the 29-year-old loosehead prop.

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Your sport on TV this week: Kerry v Donegal, Lions take on Wallabies and Women's Euro final

Your sport on TV this week: Kerry v Donegal, Lions take on Wallabies and Women's Euro final

It is another action packed weekend of sport on TV with Kerry and Donegal going head-to-head in the All-Ireland SFC final, Lions take on the Wallabies in Test two and the Women's Euro final - all you need to know here.

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan 19/7/2025

S Duncan Casey: Why a Lions tour of France just wouldn't work

A Lions of France could never happen in the traditional format. Clubs do not have the room in their calendars for games.

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Pierre Shoeman and Thomas Clarkson 22/7/2025

'It was a bit of a shock': Thomas Clarkson blocks out social media backlash after Lions come calling

Clarkson found out he'd been called up by the Lions at 3am, hours after Ireland had defeated Portugal. "We were on a night out," he explained, "I had to go home straight away. But yeah, some text to get."

Wed, 23 Jul, 2025