The British and Irish Lions complete preparations for their looming Test series against Australia by meeting an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide today.
It is a final chance for Andy Farrell’s players to state their case for selection against the Wallabies, who await in Brisbane next weekend for the first of three headline summer matches.
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Most of the Lions’ presumed Test starters - including captain Maro Itoje - have been given the night off after labouring to an unconvincing 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday.
While it was a fourth triumph from as many matches Down Under to follow a scrappy victory against the New South Wales Waratahs and eight-try thrashings of both the Queensland Reds and Western Force, having lost their farewell match to Argentina in Dublin, there is still plenty to work on for the famous tourists.
Owen Farrell is poised to make his first appearance of the tour off the bench at the Adelaide Oval, with Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne handed the captaincy for the second time.
The Lions are likely to face another difficult test against a strong AUNZ Invitational squad picked by Les Kiss that features no fewer than 17 internationals, co-captained by David Havili and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, and featuring a formidable back-row trio of Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu and Hoskins Sotutu, plus other established stars such as wing Marika Koroibete.
How to watch Lions vs AUNZ Invitational XV
TV channel: Sky Sports have exclusive broadcasting rights to the 2025 Lions tour in the UK. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action at 10am BST on Saturday morning, ahead of an 11am kick-off - 7:30pm local time - in Adelaide.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can watch the match live online via the Sky Go app. It is also available to stream via NOW. Extensive free-to-air highlights will be aired on Welsh-language channel S4C at 8pm on Saturday night.
Live blog: Follow the latest Lions clash with Standard Sport’s live match blog.
