How to watch the 2025 Lions squad announcement if you don't have Sky Sports

Rugby News
Thursday, 08 May 2025 at 06:58
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If you're eager to catch the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad announcement but don’t have a Sky subscription, don’t worry — there are still a few ways you can tune in.
Here’s how to watch all the action as it happen.
The squad will be announced live at 
indigo at The O2 in front of 2,000 fans, with the drama unfolding from 2pm on Sky Sports. While captain Maro Itoje will take to the stage alone, the rest of the players will learn their fate as the names are read out.
If you don't have Sky Sports, you can listen and follow the announcement on TalkSport, who'll be streaming live on their YouTube Channel .
The broadcast will begin at 2pm, and the full squad will appear here as soon as it is announced.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

Lions tour of Australia: Schedule

The Lions begin their schedule together on Friday, June 20, as they face Argentina in Dublin to get things started.
But then the tour of Australia will begin a week later, and here is the full schedule: 
All kick-off times GMT

    EDITORS PICKS:

      Who will make the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad? Latest odds

      ? BACK-THREE: Scottish Power, Irish Precision
      Duhan van der Merwe (1/16) is about as nailed-on as it gets – the Scotland powerhouse leads the market by some distance. He’s joined by two key Irish threats: James Lowe (1/8) and Hugo Keenan (1/5), both firm favourites.
      England’s Tommy Freeman (4/9) continues his upward trajectory, while Blair Kinghorn (8/11) brings utility value and flair. Don’t rule out Darcy Graham (2/1) – the pocket rocket could be a dark horse.

      ? CENTRES: Aki and Jones in Pole Position

      No surprises here. Bundee Aki (1/5) has been sensational and looks a shoo-in, while Huw Jones (1/4) is Scotland's best bet in midfield.
      Scotland’s dynamic duo of Sione Tuipulotu (2/7) and Huw Jones (1/4) are also on track for selection, while Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw (8/11) must prove his fitness to stay in contention.

      ? FLY-HALVES: Finn’s to Lose?

      Finn Russell (1/10) has the number 10 jersey in his grasp – and the bookies agree. England’s Fin Smith (8/15) is rising fast, while Marcus Smith (8/11) just edges Ireland’s Sam Prendergast, who drops out of the market in this latest update.

      ? NINES: Neck-and-Neck

      It’s tight at scrum-half. Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park (8/11) leads the charge, but Alex Mitchell (11/10) and Tomos Williams (11/10) are breathing down his neck. With form fluctuating, this one’s still wide open.

      ? PROPS: Irish Domination

      There’s no ignoring Tadhg Furlong (1/8) and Andrew Porter (1/7) – both virtually guaranteed. Zander Fagerson (4/11)is Scotland’s main man, while England’s Ellis Genge (4/6) and Fin Baxter (5/6) are right in the mix.
      Pierre Schoeman (5/4) is hanging on, but might need a big end to the season.

      ? HOOKERS: Sheehan Out in Front

      Dan Sheehan (1/10) is the clear frontrunner, but Dewi Lake (8/15) is hot on his heels. England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie (6/5) is back in the mix, but will need to stay fit to seal his spot.

      ? LOCKS: Itoje the Banker

      Maro Itoje (1/33) is the biggest lock on the list (pun fully intended). He’s joined by Tadhg Beirne (1/10) and rising Irish star Joe McCarthy (4/6).
      England’s Ollie Chessum (8/11) is in the hunt, and George Martin (11/10) isn’t far behind either.

      ? BACK-ROW: Doris and Earl Lead the Charge

      Ireland’s Caelan Doris (1/5) and England’s Ben Earl (1/5) are leading the way. Former World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier (1/3) is another certainty.
      England’s Tom Curry (8/15) is close to sealing a spot, while Jack Morgan (4/6) and Jack Willis (6/4) remain outside contenders.

      ? PROPOSED 2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)

      Back-Three (6):
      Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) - 1/16
      James Lowe (Ireland) - 1/8
      Hugo Keenan (Ireland) - 1/5
      Tommy Freeman (England) - 4/9
      Blair Kinghorn (Scotland) - 8/11
      Darcy Graham (Scotland) - 2/1
      Centres (4):
      Bundee Aki (Ireland) - 1/5
      Huw Jones (Scotland) - 1/4
      Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) - 2/7
      Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - 8/11
      Fly-Halves (3):
      Finn Russell (Scotland) - 1/10
      Fin Smith (England) - 8/15
      Marcus Smith (England) - 8/11
      Scrum-Halves (3):
      Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) - 8/11
      Alex Mitchell (England) - 11/10
      Tomos Williams (Wales) - 11/10
      Props (3):
      Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) - 1/8
      Andrew Porter (Ireland) - 1/7
      Zander Fagerson (Scotland) - 4/11
      Ellis Genge (England) - 4/6
      Fin Baxter (England) - 5/6
      Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) - 5/4
      Hookers (3):
      Dan Sheehan (Ireland) - 1/10
      Dewi Lake (Wales) - 8/15
      Luke Cowan-Dickie (England) - 6/5
      Locks (5):
      Maro Itoje (England) - 1/33
      Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) - 1/10
      Joe McCarthy (Ireland) - 4/6
      Ollie Chessum (England) - 8/11
      George Martin (England) - 11/10
      Back-Row (6):
      Caelan Doris (Ireland) - 1/5
      Ben Earl (England) - 1/5
      Josh van der Flier (Ireland) - 1/3
      Tom Curry (England) - 8/15
      Jack Morgan (Wales) - 4/6
      Jack Willis (England) - 6/4

      TOUGH QUIZ: Can you name EVERY British & Irish Lions captain of the past 50 Years?

      We've got a belter of a quiz in store, as we challenge you to name EVERY British & Irish Lions tour captain of the past 50 years. We start off our quiz back on the 1974 tour of South Africa, and bring it all the way up to the Lions' latest tour to the land of the Springboks in 2021.
      To make this a little bit more difficult, some of the more recent tours included multiple captains, with both needed to be named if you want to ace this Lions Tour quiz. You have six minutes to get all of your answers down, and your time starts... Now!
       
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