Lions team to play Brumbies: Close to the Test XV

Sunday, 06 July 2025 at 14:52

byRugby Rucker

Andy Farrell’s men will now head to the Australian capital, Canberra, where on Wednesday they’ll take on the ACT Brumbies.

They arrive off the back of an underwhelming display against the New South Wales Waratahs, where only a few players really made a statement for Test selection.

The Brumbies clash presents a major opportunity for fringe players to make their case ahead of the first Test on July 19. It’s expected to be Farrell’s most telling selection yet.

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Back Row Competition Heating Up

The back row remains one of the biggest selection puzzles. Jac Morgan and Tom Curry both went the full 80 against Queensland, with Morgan also coming off the bench versus the Waratahs.

Tadhg Beirne, captain against the Waratahs, struggled to impress — opening the door for Ollie Chessum to start at blindside. Tom Curry is set to play openside for the first time on tour, while Jack Conan looks set to pack down at No. 8.

Back Three Starting to Take Shape

Hugo Keenan looked off the pace against the Waratahs following illness. Marcus Smith is now back in contention at fly-half, which frees up Blair Kinghorn to start at fullback. James Lowe and Tommy Freeman are expected to start on the wings.

All-Irish Centre Partnership

The all-Scottish midfield of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones impressed on Saturday, but are likely to be rested. This sets up a big opportunity for Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose to put their hands up for the Test XV.

As You Were in the Halfbacks

Jamison Gibson-Park will need to deliver another strong performance to challenge Alex Mitchell, who was superb against the Waratahs. Mitchell is likely to be rested, with Ben White covering from the bench.

Fin Smith struggled on Saturday, which benefits Finn Russell — arguably the form No. 10 of the tour. Another composed display could seal his place in the Test side.

Genge to Start at Loosehead

After two appearances from the bench, Ellis Genge is expected to start at loosehead prop.

Dan Sheehan comes in at hooker, with Tadhg Furlong getting another shot at tighthead in a competitive area that includes Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham.

Itoje to Captain

Maro Itoje returns to captain the side, and will be joined in the engine room by Joe McCarthy — one of the tour’s standout performers. Scott Cummings is likely to provide cover from the bench after a shaky start earlier in the tour.

? CONFIRMED British & Irish Lions Starting XV vs ACT Brumbies

15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Tommy Freeman
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Finn Russell
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje (captain)
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Ollie Chessum
7. Tom Curry
8. Jack Conan

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Andrew Porter
18. Will Stuart
19. Josh van der Flier
20. Henry Pollock
21. Alex Mitchell
22. Marcus Smith
23. Mack Hansen

“Test dreams in tatters” – 5 Lions flops who’ve fallen flat on tour

Four matches in, and the Lions tour is already separating the contenders from the pretenders. While some players are pushing hard for a place in the Test XV, others have gone missing when it mattered most.

Whether it’s rust, nerves, or just being outplayed, these five Lions have done themselves no favours – and could be heading home with regret.

Fin Smith – Under pressure, underwhelming

All eyes were on Fin Smith to make a statement with Owen Farrell still looming over the fly-half conversation. But instead of stepping up, he produced a performance that did little to settle nerves.

Smith failed to make a major impression in the tour opener against Argentina, looking tentative and overly conservative in key moments.

Things didn’t improve much in his second outing against the Waratahs, where he tried to force the issue in the second half—only for the mistakes to pile up and the game to slip further away from him.

? Test chances: Fading fast. He’s no longer a clear bench option, and others are circling.

Hugo Keenan – Off the boil

After being made to wait for his chance, Keenan finally got his shot against the Waratahs—and it couldn’t have gone much worse.

He opened with a dropped ball under little pressure and followed it with a missed tackle that directly led to a try. Normally so composed and reliable, Keenan looked rattled from the off and never quite found his rhythm or influence on the game.

? Test chances: This was a golden opportunity to nail down a claim. He let it slip through his fingers—literally.

Pierre Schoeman – Scrummaged into trouble

The Lions scrum was meant to be a weapon—but against the Force, it was anything but. Schoeman struggled to hold his ground and was part of a front row that got manhandled far too often.

With Ellis Genge putting in a dominant shift last week, Schoeman’s underwhelming showing couldn’t have come at a worse time. The raw power and aggression he’s known for were notably absent.

? Test chances: He’s still in the mix, but firmly behind the frontrunners now.

Tom Curry – A shadow of his best

This tour was supposed to be Curry’s return to dominance, but so far he’s looked anything but. Against Argentina in the opener and again versus the Reds, Curry seemed a step behind play.

His trademark defensive tenacity was muted, and while he rallied late on with a few solid tackles, the damage was already done. His lack of synergy with the back row around him was noticeable—and concerning.

? Test chances: Still respected, but form has to match reputation. Right now, it doesn’t.

Duhan van der Merwe – Rusty and out of rhythm

The big winger has been one of the Lions’ most electric weapons in recent years, but injuries have clearly disrupted his build-up.

He’s looked off the pace, lacking sharpness both with ball in hand and in defensive positioning. Meanwhile, James Lowe has seized every chance to impress. Duhan’s physicality remains a threat, but his edge seems dulled for now.

? Test chances: Slipping away quickly. Needs a statement game—and soon.

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