Ben Youngs actually thinks so. In September, England’s report cap holder claimed the Lions ought to skip Australia and tour South Africa as a substitute. That shiny thought got here sizzling on the heels of Los Pumas pouncing on the Wallabies in Santa Fe and beating them by 40 factors!
However 9 weeks later, Joe Schmidt’s resurgent Australian workforce beat England 42-37 in Twickenham. And that’s why the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour guarantees to be the feel-good hit of the summer season. Properly, perhaps not “feel-good” within the conventional sense.
Historical past Repeating?
The underlying knowledge appears to agree with Ben Younger’s assertion. Andy Farrell has been concerned within the Eire set-up since 2016. Throughout that point, the Wallabies solely beat Eire as soon as. That loss got here within the first Take a look at of a three-game collection down underneath in 2018.
Australia have solely overwhelmed Scotland twice since 2016, they usually have a 2-10 report in opposition to England in that very same interval!
Wales is the one house nation Australia has a great report in opposition to lately. However there are solely two Welsh gamers within the touring celebration. Good transfer from Farrell.
Dwelling Is The place The Coronary heart Is
Australia will host the primary Take a look at in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium. Between England’s victories there in 2016 and 2022, the Wallabies had gained 10 Checks in a row at Suncorp, however they’ve misplaced the final two Checks by a mixed rating of 58-24!
The Lions have performed in Brisbane twice. Most followers will bear in mind the final assembly, a 23-21 victory within the first Take a look at 12 years in the past. Not many will recall the 31-0 drubbing the Lions gave the Wallabies again in 1966, although!
The second Take a look at will probably be performed on the Melbourne Cricket Floor. Because the locals name it, the G has solely hosted 4 rugby union Take a look at matches, all Bledisloe Cup video games. Australia have gained two of these 4 video games in that exact collection.
Nonetheless, Melbourne has an even bigger British and Irish expat neighborhood than some other metropolis in Australia. So, nonetheless the primary Take a look at performs out, it should really feel like a house sport for the Lions.
The ultimate and possibly deciding sport will probably be performed at Accor Stadium (previously often called Stadium Australia) in Sydney. Australia has solely gained one sport at Accor because the Lions beat them there in 2013! However they’ve solely performed there eight instances, and all these video games have been in opposition to the All Blacks.
The Wallabies beat the Lions 29-23 at Accor again in 2001. Daniel Herbert, now the Rugby Australia Chair, scored two tries in that sport. After Austin Healey (through Eddie Butler) had famously known as Justin Harrison a “plank” in his tour diary.
Key Matchups
The Lions’ power is within the entrance 5. There are such a lot of distinctive tight 5 forwards within the squad that skipper Maro Itoje may discover himself lining up within the six shirt.
The highest line-out stealer within the 6 Nations, Ollie Chessum, absolutely has to function within the second row. If Luke Cowan-Dickie is included within the Take a look at squad, profitable Australia’s line-out will probably be simpler than profitable their very own.
Jac Morgan is the one true open aspect within the squad. Whereas Tom Curry, who’s at the moment injured, will probably be hoping for a Take a look at berth, the Wales captain is the higher participant from a technical and self-discipline standpoint.
Nonetheless, Australia is contemplating bending its choice guidelines so Joe Schmidt can embrace Will Skelton. A Wallaby pack, together with Skelton, would show an attention-grabbing problem.
The 33-year-old former Saracen and four-time European Cup champion will convey loads of management and physicality with him.
There’s a major buzz round James O’Connor’s attainable recall, too. The 34-year-old hasn’t pulled a gold jumper on since 2022, however with Noah Lolesio’s itchy ft about to flare up once more, O’Connor could be the most secure pair of fingers out there.
O’Connor and Finn Russell final met when Australia performed Scotland in 2021, and Scotland gained 15-13!
Will The Lions Roar?
The Wallabies ought to have the sting within the first Take a look at whereas the Lions nonetheless work out a number of kinks. Whereas the touring aspect will play a observe Take a look at in opposition to Argentina in Dublin, a number of touring celebration members will probably be unavailable for that sport. Farrell should name up front-row reinforcements to fulfil that fixture.
The Lions could have figured issues out by the second Take a look at, although, and with a report variety of followers in attendance, the Wallabies will really feel just like the away workforce.
One factor you may count on from the ultimate Take a look at is nerves. Even when the collection is over, one workforce will probably be determined to finish it on a excessive notice. Australia has misplaced 12 of its final 15 Checks at Accor; the final time they performed the Lions there, they misplaced 41-16!
