Reports tonight suggests that the British & Irish Lions fixtures for their 2025 tour of Australia are close to being announced.
And from the report from the Sydney Morning Herald, it could be the best tour in years with a number of exciting midweek fixtures.
The team is set to face a formidable combined team of top players from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea in a midweek game.
Additionally, the Lions will play against an Anzac XV, comprising the best players from New Zealand's All Blacks and Australia's Wallabies, as well as three Australian Super teams - the Waratahs, Reds, and Brumbies - each in a single game.
Lions tour 2025 fixtures:
Lions vs Waratahs
Lions vs Reds
Lions vs Brumbies
Lions vs Australia (First Test)
Lions vs Pacific Islands
Lions vs Australia (Second Test)
Lions vs Anzac XV
Lions vs Australia (Third Test)
Order of games may be incorrect.
Will Greenwood: 2025 Lions XV
The team the former England centre predicted following the 2021 tour of South Africa.
#BACK-THREE:
- 15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
- 14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
- 11. Adam Radwan (England)
Greenwood on Radwan: "The Newcastle Falcon might be raw, but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. We’ve seen Cheslin Kolbe hot-step his way to a series-clinching try; Radwan could do the same."
Greenwood on Rees-Zammit: "The Welshman saw his opportunities limited on the tour to South Africa but in the short periods he did feature you could tell there was a star in the making."
Our selection: Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Adam Radwan (England), Freddie Steward (England)
#CENTRES:
- 13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
- 12. Cameron Redpath (Scotland)
Greenwood on Redpath: "I am convinced that Redpath would have toured South Africa this year were it not for the serious knee injury sustained while in action for Bath."
Our selection: Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Cameron Redpath (Scotland)
#HALFBACKS:
- 10. Marcus Smith (England)
- 9. Tomos Williams (Wales)
Greenwood on Smith: "He only had time for one appearance, but the outrageous, audacious manner in which he inspired Harlequins to their second Premiership title proves he is developing wonderfully. By 2025, he could be one of the world’s best fly-halves."
Our selection: Marcus Smith (England), Jamie Robie (Scotland)
#FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Ellis Genge (England)
- 2. Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
- 3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland)
Greenwood on Genge: "With the ball in hands, Genge offers a threat that no other loosehead can match – he is unique in that regard – and still might have made a surprising impact in South Africa."
Our selection:Ellis Genge (England), George Turner (Scotland), Andrew Porter (Ireland)
#SECOND-ROW:
- 4. Maro Itoje (England, captain)
- 5. Adam Beard (Wales)
Greenwood on Itoje: "As things stand, there is simply no one else who could captain this side. Australia will be his third Lions tour and he will be just 30 in 2025. Itoje could quite easily match Alun Wyn Jones and play on four straight tours – and 12 straight Tests. Comfortably the Lions’ best player in South Africa."
Our selection: Maro Itoje (England), James Ryan (Ireland)
#BACK-ROW:
- 6. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
- 7. Tom Curry (England)
- 8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)
Greenwood on Ritchie: "Ritchie has looked the real deal for Scotland for a few seasons now. He is a trusty option at the lineout, he has pace to burn and, most importantly, has a top engine. He is a pest at the breakdown, too. There is a real chance that Scotland can build on their recent successes in the next four years – and Ritchie will be at the heart of that."
Greenwood on Curry: "Curry was not at his World Cup best in South Africa, but he was not far off. People forget he is still just 23-years-old and that he is only going to get better. And no other 2021 Lions openside will be in the mix come 2025."
Our selection: Tom Curry (England), Jack Wills (England), Caelan Doris (Ireland)
