ACT Brumbies vs. British and Irish Lions score: Rugby union result, highlights as tourists win Canberra thriller

Emma Griffiths

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ACT Brumbies vs. British and Irish Lions score: Rugby union result, highlights as tourists win Canberra thriller image

The British and Irish Lions claimed an entertaining and largely convincing 36-24 win over ACT Brumbies in Canberra.

The Australian side put up a strong performance, with the Lions conceding four tries, but it was ultimately not enough against coach Andy Farrell's strongest squad yet as scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park produced a player-of-the-match performance.

It was a welcome sight after the lacklustre display against the Waratahs last week, with the Lions convincingly controlling the second half and only denied a final late try by some last-ditch defending. However, concerns remain ahead of the first test against the Wallabies on July 19.

Farrell's substitutions were well placed, with Marcus Smith being a dangerous presence on the pitch after replacing Blair Kinghorn at full-back early in the match, the Scotland star having suffered an injury concern.

Along with Gibson-Park, flanker Ollie Chessum stood out as a key player in the match. He played the full 80 minutes and was an aggressive attacking force, making it across the try line twice — although his attempt just before the final whistle was ruled held up. 

This refreshing performance comes at an important time, as the Lions only have one more Tour match before the Test series starts against the Wallabies in 10 days' time. They'll be looking to cement this control of the pitch against the Invitational Australia-New Zealand combined side on Saturday in Adelaide.

MORE: Full schedule for the Lions' 2025 tour

ACT Brumbies vs. British and Irish Lions score

 ScoreTries (Conv.)Penalties
Brumbies24Tualima 4', Toole 37', Creighton 51', Bowron 76' (Lonergan 52', Debreczeni 76') 
Lions36Chessum 15', Lowe 29', M. Smith 40', Ringrose 47', Van der Flier 68' (Russell 30', 40', 48', 69')Russell 62'

Starting XVs:

Brumbies: 15. Andy Muirhead, 14. Ben O'Donnell, 13. Ollie Sapsford, 12. David Feliuai, 11. Corey Toole, 10. Declan Meredith, 9. Ryan Lonergan (C); 1. Lington Ieli, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Rhys van Nek, 4. Lachie Shaw, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Rory Scott, 8. Tuaina Taii Tualima

Replacements: 16. Liam Bowron, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Lachie Hooper, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Harrison Goddard, 22. Jack Debreczeni, 23. Hudson Creighton

Lions: 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 (C), 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 

ACT Brumbies vs. British and Irish Lions highlights

4: Brumbies's number eight Tuaini Taii Tualima touches down!

Australia:

UK:

15: The Lions roar! Chessum storms to a try on the left. Russell fails to convert.

Australia:

UK:

36: The Brumbies strike back! Corey Toole with an excellent touchdown. No conversion. 

Australia:

UK:

40: Marcus Smith storms across the line in 40th minute and Russell converts, bringing the Lion's lead to 19-10 at half time.

UK:

68: Lion's maul this time successfully earns them a try from Van Der Flier. Russell effortlessly converts again.

UK:

ACT Brumbies vs. British and Irish Lions live stream, TV channel

Australia

  • Live stream: Stan Sport

All Lions matches in 2025 will be streamed live via Stan Sport. All the Test matches against the Wallabies will also be broadcast on Channel Nine.

UK

  • TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action
  • Live stream: Sky Go app

Fans in the United Kingdom can catch the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. BST on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.

What time does ACT Brumbies vs. British & Irish Lions kick off?

The match takes place at the Gio Stadium in Canberra, Australia. It is slated to kick off at 7:45 p.m. local time (10:45 a.m. BST), but it is likely to start 15 minutes later.

Emma Griffiths

Emma Griffiths is a freelance journalist who, in combination with completing her degree from the University of Bristol, specialises in covering women’s rugby and football. Specialising in the human, player-first coverage of these rapidly growing sports, her work centres on amplifying attention and female voices through engaging, investigative and comprehensive storytelling drawing attention to the unique and developing landscape of women’s sport.