Former Ireland boss and now Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt is no stranger to the threat the British & Irish Lionspose — and he’s plotting a serious ambush down under.
With the 2025 Lions Tour to Australia on the horizon, Schmidt and Lions supremo Andy Farrell are preparing for a tactical war, with three colossal Test matches on the line.
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? 2025 Lions Tour – Fixture Breakdown
From June to August 2025, the Lions will tackle:
Originally due to face the Melbourne Rebels, the mid-tour schedule was reshaped after the Rebels disbanded in 2024.
? Odds-on Whitewash?
The Lions are red-hot favourites to take the series — but could they do the unthinkable and seal a 3-0 whitewash?
But don’t count the Wallabies out just yet. Many Aussie fans believe that if they can stop Finn Russell, they can derail the Lions’ charge.
? Fan Reactions – All Eyes on Finn Russell
“Russell is magic, but he’s not untouchable. Big hits, smart kicks, and he’ll fade.”
“Finn Russell is the engine — take him out of the game, and the Lions lose their spark.”
“Schmidt knows Russell from his Ireland days. Expect a full-on shutdown job.”
“Russell’s creativity is lethal, but he can be rattled — Wallabies need to pressure him early.”
“If Russell gets space, it’s over. If he’s smothered, Australia can dominate.”
“Farrell will build around Russell, but Schmidt’s tactical mind could tear that apart.”
“We stopped Sexton before, we can stop Finn — no whitewash happening.”
British & Irish Lions Predicted Lineup: Odds for Starting XV vs Wallabies
This isn’t our dream team — it’s the starting XV most favoured by the bookies to line up in the first Test against Australia:
Front Row
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
A powerful and versatile prop, Porter is known for his scrummaging strength and work rate around the park.
A powerful and versatile prop, Porter is known for his scrummaging strength and work rate around the park.
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Dynamic and athletic hooker with strong carrying ability and solid set-piece skills.
Dynamic and athletic hooker with strong carrying ability and solid set-piece skills.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
A world-class tighthead prop with superb scrummaging technique, ball-handling skills, and a strong presence in both attack and defence.
A world-class tighthead prop with superb scrummaging technique, ball-handling skills, and a strong presence in both attack and defence.
Second Row
4. Maro Itoje (England)
World-class lock renowned for his lineout dominance, breakdown pressure, and leadership qualities.
World-class lock renowned for his lineout dominance, breakdown pressure, and leadership qualities.
5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
A highly skilled and mobile lock/flanker hybrid, Beirne excels at turnovers and offers great versatility.
A highly skilled and mobile lock/flanker hybrid, Beirne excels at turnovers and offers great versatility.
Back Row
6. Tom Curry (England)
Hard-hitting flanker with a high tackle count and breakdown expertise; a relentless competitor.
Hard-hitting flanker with a high tackle count and breakdown expertise; a relentless competitor.
7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier combines work rate, speed, and breakdown prowess.
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier combines work rate, speed, and breakdown prowess.
8. Ben Earl (England)
Explosive back-row forward with dynamic ball-carrying and strong support play.
Explosive back-row forward with dynamic ball-carrying and strong support play.
Half-Backs
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
A sharp, quick-thinking scrum-half who dictates tempo and brings pace to the game.
A sharp, quick-thinking scrum-half who dictates tempo and brings pace to the game.
10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Creative and unpredictable fly-half known for his vision, flair, and pinpoint passing and kicking.
Creative and unpredictable fly-half known for his vision, flair, and pinpoint passing and kicking.
Centres
12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
A physical, direct inside centre with powerful running lines and strong defensive skills.
A physical, direct inside centre with powerful running lines and strong defensive skills.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland)
A classy outside centre with attacking instincts, speed, and a nose for the try line.
A classy outside centre with attacking instincts, speed, and a nose for the try line.
Back Three
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Towering and powerful winger who’s a constant threat with ball in hand.
Towering and powerful winger who’s a constant threat with ball in hand.
14. James Lowe (Ireland)
Energetic winger with a booming boot, strong defence, and attacking creativity.
Energetic winger with a booming boot, strong defence, and attacking creativity.
15. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Tall, athletic fullback with strong counter-attacking ability and a reliable kicking game.
Tall, athletic fullback with strong counter-attacking ability and a reliable kicking game.
? Full Fixture List – British & Irish Lions Tour 2025
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 20 June | Lions vs Argentina | Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
| Sat 28 June | Western Force vs Lions | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| Wed 2 July | Queensland Reds vs Lions | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| Sat 5 July | NSW Waratahs vs Lions | Sydney Football Stadium |
| Wed 9 July | ACT Brumbies vs Lions | Canberra Stadium, Canberra |
| Sat 12 July | AU & NZ Invitational XV vs Lions | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| Sat 19 July | Australia vs Lions (1st Test) | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| Tue 22 July | First Nations & Pasifika XV vs Lions | Docklands Stadium, Melbourne |
| Sat 26 July | Australia vs Lions (2nd Test) | MCG, Melbourne |
| Sat 2 August | Australia vs Lions (3rd Test) | Stadium Australia, Sydney |
