The 2025 tour of Australia is scheduled to take place this summer and head coach Andy Farrell will be mulling over his choices once the final round of fixtures are concluded. The last tour took place in 2021 when they played against South Africa, losing the series 2-1. However, the tour was heavily impacted by the Covid pandemic with matches played behind closed doors. But this time, Farrell will have the honour of leading the squad - comprised of players from the Home Nations - as they head Down Under. Lions chair Ieuan Evans MBE will be given the honour of announcing which players will join Farrell on the plane, as well as naming his captain for the series. Evans reflected on his past experience of learning if he'd made the cut.
"There is no greater honour than being selected for The British & Irish Lions and as a player, you find it tough to sleep the night before as the anticipation builds," he said. "Hours feel like days as you wait to hear if you are lucky enough to get that dream call-up for the ultimate experience on and off the pitch. I was fortunate to go on three Lions Tours and I found out via a letter, a telegram and Ceefax - that was our version of the red button for younger supporters. And this squad announcement, in front of our loyal fans, will be so memorable in its own way too. There is a lot of rugby to be played between now and May and Andy and his coaching team will have some extremely tough decisions to make ahead of the Tour to Australia. The players will be doing all they can to book their places and we wish them all the very best over the coming weeks."
For the first time, the British and Irish Lions squad will be announced in front of a live audience of more than 2,000 supporters on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The event will be held at the IndigO2 venue, which is located inside London's iconic landmark the O2 Arena. Only the captain will be told beforehand and he will join Farrell on the stage. All other members of the squad will have to tune in to the live broadcast to learn if they have been called up.
It will be the first time in the famous touring side's history that the squad will be named in a public atmosphere and it promises to be a special occasion for Farrell and his players.
Who makes the cut?
It is a stiff task to ask anyone to predict the tour squad with two months to go until the announcement, but the bookmakers' odds may give the best idea as to which players will be on the plane. In guessing the first XV to face Australia, Ireland players are currently predicted to have 10 out of 15 predicted starters. However, they are on track to finish third in the Six Nations table and that could see more England players enter the running as they are second.
While more representatives from England, Scotland and Wales could be used to fill Farrell's roster, which is likely to have 36 or 37 slots.
Forwards: 1. Andrew Porter 2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland) 3. Tadhg Furlong 4. Maro Itoje (England) 5. Joe McCarthy (Ireland) 6. Josh van der Flier (Ireland) 7. Ben Earl (England) 8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Backs: 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) 10. Finn Russell (Scotland) 11. James Lowe (Ireland) 12. Bundee Aki (Ireland) 13. Huw Jones (Scotland) 14. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) 15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
British and Irish Lions Tour fixtures
The Lions will play three Tests and six warm-up matches on the tour, starting with Western Force in Perth on June 28. Following their clash in Perth, the Lions will face Queensland Reds in Brisbane on July 2, the Waratahs in Sydney on July 5, the Brumbies in Canberra on July 9, an Invitational Australia & New Zealand side in Adelaide on July 12 and finally, the Rebels in Melbourne on July 22.
That game will take place after the opening Test in Brisbane on July 19, with the second Test at the MCG in Melbourne on July 26 and the final Test in the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 2.
