The British and Irish Lions begin their 10-match itinerary as preparations intensify for the tour of Australia with a meeting with Argentina in Dublin.
The Lions will play on Irish soil for the first time as they take on the Pumas in a lucrative curtain-raiser at the Aviva Stadium that will offer the squad their first chance to press for places.
The three Tests against the Wallabies will be the primary focus for Andy Farrell, who will hope to see his side get off to a strong start even if they are still very much in the bedding in process.
Argentina are not quite at full strength with a number of injuries and absentees engaged in the Top 14 play-offs, but Felipe Contepomi’s men have enjoyed a number of strong seasons and will hope to produce a good showing.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Lions vs Argentina?
The opening tour match of the Lions summer is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Friday 20 June at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action and Main Event, with coverage on the channels from 7pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go. Welsh language coverage is available via S4C.
Team news
England’s Fin and Marcus Smith are paired in playmaking partnership by Andy Farrell for the first game of the 10-match tour itinerary, with the Lions boss resisting the urge to utilise those involved in the United Rugby Championship and Premiership finals six days ago. An exception is Ronan Kelleher, backing up Luke Cowan-Dickie ahead of club colleague Dan Sheehan with two Leinster hookers in the squad; Tadhg Furlong’s availability, meanwhile, is welcome after the tighthead prop missed the Dublin club’s run to the URC title.
Fresh from a tight defeat in the Premiership final in his last Leicester game, hooker Julian Montoya captains a dangerous Argentina team possessing plenty of experience. Lucio Cinti returns from injury in midfield alongside youngster Justo PIccardo, while scrum half Simon Benitez Cruz and prop Boris Wegner should make debuts off the bench after strong seasons in Super Rugby Americas. Bautista Bernasconi is another potential first-capper.
Line-ups
Lions XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Finlay Bealham; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Tom Curry, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Marcus Smith.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Henry Pollock; 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Elliot Daly, 23 Mack Hansen.
Argentina XV: 1 Mayco Vivas, 2 Julian Montoya (capt.), 3 Joel Sclavi; 4 Franco Molina, 5 Pedro Rubiolo; 6 Pablo Matera, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 8 Joaquin Oviedo; 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 10 Tomas Albornoz; 11 Ignacio Mendy, 12 Justo Piccardo, 13 Lucio Cinti, 14 Rodrigo Isgro; 15 Santiago Carreras.
Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Boris Wegner, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Santiago Grondona, 20 Joaquin Moro; 21 Simon Benitez Cruz, 22 Matias Moroni, 23 Santiago Cordero.
Odds
Lions win 1/14
Draw 30/1
Argentina win 17/2
The Independent vets betting sites for useability, security and responsible gambling tools. You can claim free bets here to use across a range of sports. Please read the terms.
Why the lucrative Lions tour opener has selection significance
Australia coach takes sly dig at Lions with ‘southern hemisphere’ centres comment
Tommy Freeman promises ‘fun and dangerous’ Lions approach to Argentina clash
Steve Borthwick wants as many England players as possible involved with Lions
George Ford and Jamie George add experience to youthful England facing France XV
British & Irish Lions vs Argentina Prediction, Best Bets & Rugby Odds
