Head coach Andy Farrell will announce his team for the British and Irish Lions’ tour of Australia on Thursday, May 8 at a live event in London, after months of rumors.
There might only be a few players from Wales after their disappointing results last year, but Scotland and England should also be well represented.
Players who are not in the Six Nations’ squads, such as Racing 92’s Owen Farrell and Jack Willis from Toulouse, have also been linked with a place in the squad.
A total of 37 players were chosen for the Lions’ initial squad for their final South African tour in 2021, despite Farrell’s not revealing how many players he will select.
Ieuan Evans, a former Lions chairman and former wing of Wales, will reveal the squad while he is a member of the team’s successful Australian tour in 1989.
The captain will be who?
How to follow the BBC’s announcement about the Lions squad
From 13:00 BST, you can follow live text coverage on the BBC Sport app and website.
Chris Jones, a correspondent for BBC Radio 5 Live, will be covering the announcement.
BBC reporters will also be present at sporting events and rugby unions in Wales, Ireland, and England.
What games are between the Irish and British Lions?
Before Brisbane’s three-test series with the Wallabies kicks off on July 19th, the visitors will have five warm-up games to play.
Lions vs. Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, June 20.
Perth Lions vs. Western Force on Saturday, June 28 (Optus Stadium).
Lions vs. Queensland Reds game at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, July 2 (Suncorp Stadium)
Sydney Lions vs. NSW Waratahs on July 5 (Allianz Stadium)
Lions vs. ACT Brumbies game on Wednesday, July 9 at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
Lions vs. Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), Saturday, 12 July.
First Test of the Lions vs. Australia match takes place on Saturday, July 19 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Lions vs. Melbourne Rebels at Melbourne’s Velo Stadium on July 22.
Second Test between the Lions and Australia at Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG) on Saturday, July 26.
Third Test match between the Lions and Australia at Sydney (Accor Stadium) on Saturday, August 2.
The Lions’ coaches are who?
Farrell’s coaching staff heavily relies on the Ireland setup he left behind to lead the Lions.
As assistant coach, Lions great Johnny Sexton, who started all three Tests of the 2013 series win over Australia, is joined by attack specialist Andrew Goodman and scrum coach John Fogarty, who was Ireland’s interim head coach prior to this year’s Six Nations.
Both England’s senior coach Richard Wigglesworth and Scotland’s forward coach John Dalziel are present.
Australia’s history of the Lions
The Lions played club and regional sides before their first World War II appearance in 1888, but the touring party had already played before the Wallabies.
They returned the following year before visiting again in 1904, 1908, 1930, 1950, 1959 and 1966, when they also toured New Zealand.
They only traveled to Australia once more in 1989, winning the Wallabies 2-1.
England’s Jason Robinson scored a stunning opening try in the third minute to win their first Test match 29-13 at the Gabba on their subsequent tour in 2001.
They had a half-time lead in the second, but Australia rallied to end the game and force a final decision.
The hosts would win the series 2-1 and win the Tom Richards Trophy in Sydney with a famous 29-23 victory.
The Lions would make amends for their 2013 victory, which they won 2-1.
One of the greatest tries in Lions history, George North, scored for the visitors in the opening Test to give them a 23-21 victory, before Australia added a point to tie the series at one point.
related subjects
- Irish Lions and British &
- Rugby Union
Source: BBC
Leave a Reply