After four years of waiting, the British & Irish Lions are finally back in Test series action as they take on Australia in an eagerly awaited clash in Brisbane on Saturday.
Andy Farrell takes on his old boss Joe Schmidt looking to get off to the perfect start in the three-game series, and the Lions coach should be confident following a morale-boosting 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational XV last weekend.
However, while the Wallabies are not the force they once were, they are still a side to be reckoned with, and cheered on by a boisterous home crowd, they may well fancy their chances of causing a minor upset in the latest instalment of this historic fixture.
The Sporting News brings you the best odds, tips, predictions and more to make things even more exciting.
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Lions vs. Australia 1st Test prediction, betting tips and odds
The Lions are strong favourites to take the first Test according to Betfair, who have the handicap set at -10 for them (11/10) and the Wallabies at +10 for the same odds.
Lions (-4) to win: 4/9 (Betfair)
The Lions are the favourites for a reason, but winning by 11 points in the first Test feels a stretch given their lack of reps together as a team, as well as the star power in the Australia lineup. They should have enough in the side, and off the bench, to take a series advantage, but it won’t be straightforward. It rarely is.
Lions vs. Australia best bets, bet builder odds
- Pick: Dan Sheehan to score a try anytime
- Odds: 5/4 (Paddy Power)
The Lions will need their world class players to step up, and right at the front of that queue is Dan Sheehan, who has shown himself to be the man for the big occasion time and time again.
With the way Farrell plays and how incredibly prolific the Irish hooker is, this feels a good bet.
- Pick: Under 50.5 points
- Odds: 9/10 (Betfair)
That might be one of the few tries in the game, with the first test likely to be a tense and tight affair for large parts, particularly with Farrell and Schmidt knowing each other so well.
Neither head coach are likely to throw caution to the wind, so expect plenty of goal kicks rather than kicks to the corner.
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Team news and lineups for Lions vs. Australia 1st Test
The big selection facing Farrell heading into the first test was who he would select in the backrow alongside Jack Conan. While many expected Jac Morgan and Ollie Chessum to be selected on form, the Lions head coach has plumped for the big-game experience of Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne.
Morgan's non-selection in the 23 means there is no Welsh representation in a Lions test squad for the first time since 1896. On the flip side, it is the first time ever that the 10-12-13 midfield berths have been filled by Scots.
Injury and concussion rule out Blair Kinghorn, Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen, with Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith and Bundee Aki selected as the back substitutes, with Owen Farrell left out.
There is also no place for Henry Pollock or Josh van der Flier in the 23, with Ben Earl and Chessum instead being picked on the bench.
The Wallabies' primary concern was at outhalf, and Joe Schmidt has chosen Tom Lynagh, son of the legendary Michael, for just his fourth test cap, and undoubtedly his biggest yet.
Will Skelton and Rob Valetini are ruled out through injury in a big blow to the hosts, but Schmidt insists both will be fit for the second test.
There is a test debut for the brilliantly named Nick Champion de Crespigny, who at 29 is very much a late bloomer in the international game. He starts in a backrow consisting of captain Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight.
Rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalli, is the new great hope in Australian union, and much will be expected from him in the 13 shirt, while there is history for someone at the other end of the experience scale, James Slipper.
The prop forward, making his record-extending 145th cap for the Wallabies, becomes just the second Australian to play in two test series against the Lions, following on from George Smith, whom Slipper played alongside in 2013.
Full Lineups:
- Lions: Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (captain), Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan. Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Bundee Aki
- Australia: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalli, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (captain).Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway
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Lions vs. Australia: History and head-to-head record
The Lions and Australia have met on 23 occasions, with the tourists holding a 17-6 record in terms of wins.
The Wallabies did win the first encounter way back in 1899, but lost that Test series and every single other multi-match series against the Lions until 2001.
Revenge came with a 2-1 win, which was made all the sweeter following an opening Test humbling, and the fact New Zealander Graham Henry was in charge of the British & Irish side.
The Lions returned the favour in 2013 with a famous 41-16 win sealing their first Test series victory in 16 years, and their last to date.
How to watch the Lions vs. Australia 1st Test
- Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
- Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Time: 11:00 a.m. BST
- TV/Streaming: Sky Sports Main Event