The British and Irish Lions continued their 100 per cent record on the 2025 summer tour of Australia against the ACT Brumbies, but have plenty of work still to do ahead of the looming three-Test series against the Wallabies that begins in Brisbane on July 19. Andy Farrell picked his likely Test team for Wednesday’s match against Australia’s best-performing Super Rugby franchise in Canberra, where they ran out 36-24 winners at the GIO Stadium.
The Lions were improved in attack as they ran in five tries and had three more over the line not given, but were plagued by more breakdown struggles and a high penalty count, plus further handling errors and an injury to Blair Kinghorn. Ollie Chessum, James Lowe, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier were all on target in the capital, to go along with 11 points from the boot of Finn Russell.
The Brumbies delivered a spirited display to follow that of the New South Wales Waratahs despite missing most of their Australian internationals, taking the lead early through Tuaina Taii Tualima before later hitting back thanks to scores from Corey Toole, Hudson Creighton and Liam Bowron. The Lions now have just one more warm-up game to play before their Test opener, against an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday.
Lions vs Brumbies highlights
- NO TRY! Chessum denied second at the death
- TRY! Bowron goes over late for Brumbies
- TRY! Van der Flier from ruthless rolling maul
- PENALTY! Russell kicks for three points
- TRY! Creighton bursts through for Brumbies
- NO TRY! No clear grounding from Van der Flier
- TRY! Ringrose finishes after clever Smith kick
- TRY! Smith goes over on stroke of half-time
- TRY! Toole dots down for Brumbies before break
- TRY! Lowe scores after first effort not given
- Lions dealt early Kinghorn injury blow
- TRY! Chessum answers back for Lions
- TRY! Tualima capitalises on fast Brumbies start
Brumbies 24-36 Lions
12:55 , George FloodFull-time
A mixed bag in the end for Andy Farrell's Test-level side, who win by 12 in Canberra.
Next up is the AUNZ Invitational XV at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Then it’s on to the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19.
Brumbies 24-36 Lions
12:55 , George Flood83 mins: NO TRY!
That was possibly held up by two defenders in the end.
No second score for Chessum and the final whistle sounds.
Brumbies 24-36 Lions
12:54 , George Flood83 mins: The Lions get their last-gasp try!
It’s a second for Chessum, though the Brumbies insist he was held up.
The on-field decision is try, but this will go to the TMO.
Brumbies 24-36 Lions
12:52 , George Flood80 mins: The Lions are desperate for that last-gasp sixth try and will finish with a man extra after Wallabies flanker Tom Hooper is yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on.
Russell kicks for the lineout and the Lions will have one final chance with the clock in the red.
Brumbies 24-36 Lions
12:50 , George Flood78 mins: More handling errors prevent the Lions from finishing with a flourish in Canberra.
It relieves the building pressure on the Brumbies, who can now safely exit.
TRY! Brumbies 24-36 Lions | Liam Bowron 76'
12:4876 mins: The Lions can’t shut the door late on as replacement hooker Bowron goes over from close range, with Debreczeni adding the extras.
Four tries and 24 points conceded now by the Lions.
Too many.
Brumbies 17-36 Lions
12:46 , George Flood74 mins: Now it’s the Lions’ turn to receive a final warning for an accumulation of defensive penalties from French referee Pierre Brousset.
That’s their 11th penalty shipped today, compared to nine from the Brumbies.
Andy Farrell won’t be pleased at all with that number.
Brumbies 17-36 Lions
12:44 , George Flood73 mins: The Lions’ defence is frustrating the Brumbies late on, but they are attacking deep in the 22 now with a penalty advantage.
Mitchell has replaced Gibson-Park at scrum-half for the Lions.
Brumbies 17-36 Lions
12:42 , George Flood70 mins: Tom Hooper’s brother Lachlan is on in the Brumbies’ back row for the final 10 minutes of this game.
Not releasing at the breakdown gives the hosts decent attacking platform with the clock ticking down in Canberra.
TRY! Brumbies 17-36 Lions | Josh van der Flier 68'
12:39 , George Flood68 mins: No stopping that ruthless rolling maul as Kelleher’s throw is safely claimed by Itoje.
The maul is set up in a flash and Van der Flier is at the back, driving forward before falling over the line.
Russell gets his fourth successful conversion of the night to push the Lions’ lead up to 19 points in Canberra.
Brumbies 17-29 Lions
12:36 , George Flood66 mins: The Brumbies are warned for an accumulation of penalties in the 22, with a yellow card looming if they don’t clean up their discipline.
This time the Lions go to the corner.
Brumbies 17-29 Lions
12:35 , George Flood65 mins: A trademark burst from Pollock has the Lions surging deep into the Brumbies’ 22 as they search for more tries in the final quarter.
A change in fly-half for the Brumbies as Debreczeni replaces Meredith.
Brumbies 17-29 Lions
12:33 , George Flood63 mins: Kelleher and Pollock are on for the Lions along with Hansen, who comes on to face his former club in his home city.
Sheehan, McCarthy and Lowe make way.
Fotuaika on for Van Nek in the Brumbies’ front row.
PENALTY! Brumbies 17-29 Lions | Finn Russell 61'
12:30 , George Flood61 mins: The easiest of close-range kicks through the middle of the posts from Russell.
The lead is up to 12.
Brumbies 17-26 Lions
12:2959 mins: The Lions attack deep in the 22 with a penalty advantage, with Smith using the free play to try a little chip and chase that doesn’t come off.
We come back for the penalty and it looks like they are taking the three points.
The first time on tour? Getting into a Test mindset.
Brumbies 17-26 Lions
12:28 , George Flood58 mins: A terrific Russell kick puts the Brumbies under massive pressure with a five-metre lineout in their own 22.
The red shirts are swarming but there is a safe exit to touch.
Smart stuff from the Lions and they will have more good attacking platform here.
Brumbies 17-26 Lions
12:26 , George Flood57 mins: The TMO sifts through a huge number of replays, but there’s nothing deemed conclusive and the try isn’t given.
Brumbies 17-26 Lions
12:24 , George Flood56 mins: The Lions think they have scored try number five here through Van der Flier, but it may well have been held up.
Try hasn’t been awarded on the field and we go to the TMO.
There will need to be conclusive proof to give this...
Brumbies 17-26 Lions
12:22 , George Flood52 mins: Porter, Stuart and Van der Flier have replaced Genge, Furlong and Curry for the Lions.
Bowron and Reimer on for the Brumbies, replacing Lachlan Lonergan and Scott.
TRY! Brumbies 17-26 Lions | Hudson Creighton 51'
12:1951 mins: The Brumbies are in again!
They work the ball nicely after the scrum and Hudson Creighton - who replaced Feliuai in the first half - glides in to touch down.
Ryan Lonergan converts to trim the Lions’ lead to nine.
Suspect defending from the men in red there.
Brumbies 10-26 Lions
12:16 , George Flood49 mins: A real heart-in-mouth moment for Gibson-Park as he briefly takes his eye off the ball and a pass to him from Freeman on the Lions’ own line bounces off him and fortuitously back into the hands of the England wing.
But the danger isn’t over yet.
TRY! Brumbies 10-26 Lions | Garry Ringrose 47'
12:13 , George Flood47 mins: The Lions hold their shape to earn a scrum penalty and kick for the lineout just inside the Brumbies’ half.
A soaring Itoje claims it safely and suddenly the Lions are away, finding a gap in the defence through Ringrose, who then has the speed and poise to collect a lovely little kick through for him by Smith.
Great try, followed by Russell’s successful conversion.
Brumbies 10-19 Lions
12:10 , George Flood44 mins: Smith goes up to compete with O'Donnell in the air, doing really well to force a knock-on.
Scrum red.
Brumbies 10-19 Lions
12:08 , George Flood43 mins: The lineout is well contested before Furlong has to scoop up a dangerous bouncing ball around the Lions’ try line.
Gibson-Park eventually boots clear to touch but this is another good platform for the Brumbies.. until they give away the penalty.
Lions clear to touch at halfway.
Brumbies 10-19 Lions
12:07 , George Flood42 mins: As in the first half, the Lions are caught rather cold again with more mistakes almost opening the door straightaway for the Brumbies.
Toole tries to cut in off the left flank and is brought down, before a break in play due to injury.
The Brumbies have a lineout deep in the Lions 22.
Brumbies 10-19 Lions
12:04Back underway at the GIO Stadium.
Lions forwards coach John Dalziel has been speaking to Sky Sports at half-time, confirming that Kinghorn has a knock and did well to play on with it like he did.
Hopefully nothing serious with just 10 days to go until the first Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Brumbies 10-19 Lions
11:55Another slow start from the Lions in Canberra but they recover to score three tries to lead by nine at the interval.
Blair Kinghorn's injury will be a real concern for Andy Farrell, though.
Hopefully that’s nothing serious. If it is, then Hugo Keenan just became the Test starter at full-back.
Unless Marcus Smith can really come on strong from here after a slow start to the tour.
Half-time
11:48Brumbies 10-19 Lions
TRY! Brumbies 10-19 Lions | Marcus Smith 41'
11:48 , George Flood41 mins: Smith just goes too long with a kick intended for touch deep in the Brumbies 22.
They have a drop-out and the Lions can come again, eventually bursting through to score again before the break through Smith.
Ruthless! Russell converts with the last action of the half.
The Brumbies want a knock-on call to rule that out but won’t get it.
TRY! Brumbies 10-12 Lions | Corey Toole 37'
11:44 , George Flood37 mins: The Brumbies move the ball left at speed after the lineout, a superb long pass looped out to lethal finisher Toole, who slides over with Smith defending far too narrow.
Another missed conversion, this time from Ryan Lonergan.
The Lions still lead by two points with half-time fast approaching.
Brumbies 5-12 Lions
11:41 , George Flood34 mins: The Lions are under pressure with a lineout deep in their own 22 after a clever kick, Sheehan firing it straight over the top and Conan doing well to gather a bouncing ball with several Brumbies bearing down.
The Lions then concede another breakdown penalty and it’s kicked to touch for the five-metre lineout.
Lions defence will be tested again here.
Brumbies 5-12 Lions
11:40 , George Flood31 mins: Possession changing hands frequently at the moment since that Lowe try, the Brumbies are looking to test the Lions in response but struggling to create much in attack with ball in hand.
TRY! Brumbies 5-12 Lions | James Lowe 29'
11:35 , George Flood28 mins: Now Lowe does have his try!
Beautiful stuff from the Lions, who finally click properly with ball in hand in attack.
They pass it wonderfully and with real pace to send Lowe through in the left corner.
Russell instrumental there before he knocks over the conversion.
Lions 5-5 Brumbies
11:32 , George Flood26 mins: A lot of mistakes for both sides at the moment as the Brumbies give away a penalty on the attack and another handling error then plagues the Lions, as they did all day against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
Itoje reading his side the riot act, with Kinghorn now having gone off with that early injury.
Marcus Smith is on at full-back.
That will be a major concern for Andy Farrell with the Test series looming.
The Lions kick for touch down the field after winning a breakdown penalty.
Lions 5-5 Brumbies
11:30 , George Flood25 mins: Another wasted opportunity for the Lions with ball in hand in the Brumbies 22 after great defensive work from the home captain, scrum-half Ryan Lonergan.
After flying out of the line to put Russell under pressure, he now looks to have done the job at the breakdown.
Lions 5-5 Brumbies
11:2823 mins: All replays look thoroughly inconclusive so that won’t be a try.
Looks like Lowe might have got a bit of the ball down, but it was a cracking defensive effort from Muirhead.
5-5 it remains in Canberra.
Lions 5-5 Brumbies
11:26 , George Flood22 mins: The Brumbies concede a breakdown penalty deep in their own 22 and the Lions kick for touch rather than take the three points or opt for a scrum.
They move the ball quickly out left and Lowe looks to have the ball down in the corner under pressure from Muirhead.
This will be checked by the TMO...
Lions 5-5 Brumbies
11:25 , George Flood20 mins: The Lions have managed to swing momentum back in their favour again, thanks to a monster run from the fantastic Sheehan.
Now the Brumbies are back under pressure, shipping penalties and creaking in defence.
A good tempo to this game at the moment.
Lions 5-5 Brumbies
11:24 , George Flood18 mins: The early penalties are piling up for the Lions with Genge off his feet in the Brumbies’ 22 after a Freeman carry before another infringement near halfway by Curry.
Gifting the Brumbies good territory.
TRY! Lions 5-5 Brumbies | Ollie Chessum 15'
11:20 , George Flood15 mins: Yes they can!
A powerful first-phase carry from Aki gets the Lions roaring forward after a dominant scrum.
They then switch left deep in the 22, Gibson-Park and Russell teeing up Chessum to touch down after some good handling from the England forward.
Russell miscues his conversion wide. Tied up in Canberra.
Lions 0-5 Brumbies
11:18 , George Flood15 mins: The Brumbies keep the ball following the scrum but they are under pressure and a poor attempted pass out the back of the hand on the spin in a tackle is spilled forward.
Needless!
The Lions with the put-in at the scrum with great attacking position now.
Can they make it count?
Lions 0-5 Brumbies
11:16 , George Flood13 mins: Chessum is also being worked out by the physios here during a break in play following a scrum caused by Furlong spilling the ball in the tackle.
A couple of early fitness concerns for the Lions with the likes of Hansen and Pollock warming up.
Lions 0-5 Brumbies
11:14 , George Flood12 mins: Kinghorn is still struggling here and we may see an early introduction off the bench against his old club for Canberra native Mack Hansen.
Defenders draped all over Furlong there as he tries to gain metres with the carry.
The Brumbies’ sheer intensity has been something to behold early on in this game.
Can they keep it up?
Lions 0-5 Brumbies
11:13 , George Flood10 mins: The early issues continue for the Lions here with Aki slinging a pass intended for Ireland team-mate Lowe straight into touch.
Kinghorn is also moving gingerly again after some early treatment.
A lot of kicking early on in Canberra.
Lions 0-5 Brumbies
11:10 , George Flood8 mins: The Lions impressing at the set-piece again at least as they seek a swift response to that early setback.
But the Brumbies are bang up for this one and have just secured a great turnover with some brilliant counter-rucking just inside their 22.
The Lions were firmly second-best against the Waratahs and the impressive Charlie Gamble at the breakdown on Saturday.
TRY! Lions 0-5 Brumbies | Tuaina Tualima 5'
11:07 , George Flood5 mins: Number eight Tualima eventually crashes through the Lions defence to touch down the opening try of the night.
Did he get that over? Looks like it was just on the line, officials are happy.
The conversion is missed badly, but a flying start by the Brumbies.
Lions caught cold in Canberra.
Lions 0-0 Brumbies
11:05 , George Flood3 mins: The Lions are under heavy pressure deep inside the 22 and ship another penalty that is kicked to touch just outside the try line.
You think the rolling maul is coming, but it’s a move straight off the training ground as tighthead Van Nek almost goes over!
The Brumbies are now camped on the Lions’ try line with the tourists desperately trying to keep them at bay...
Lions 0-0 Brumbies
11:03 , George Flood2 mins: An early kick battle ensues before Sheehan being in front of Kinghorn before he tried to take the ball in the air leads to a first Brumbies penalty which is boomed deep into touch for the attacking lineout.
A sloppy start from the Lions.
Lions vs Brumbies
11:02 , George FloodUnderway in Canberra!
Can the Lions' likely Test team pass a stiff test against Australia's best Super Rugby franchise?
Time to find out...
Fireworks and bursts of pyrotechnics greet the players as they emerge from the tunnel, probably quite welcome from the crowd on what sounds like a chilly winter’s night in Canberra.
A rousing pre-match speech from captain Maro Itoje ahead of the game.
AUNZ Invitational squad revealed
10:54 , George FloodWe weren’t totally sure what to expect from the squad announcement for an AUNZ Invitational side led by Les Kiss, the former Ireland and London Irish coach and Ulster director of rugby who is due to take over the Australia reins next year and has also faced the Lions once already this summer with the Queensland Reds.
But it’s fair to say they will provide a serious challenge in Adelaide. Here’s the squad in full:
Aidan Ross (Australia/New Zealand, Queensland Reds)
AJ Lam (New Zealand, Blues)
Angus Blyth (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (Australia, Western Force)
Daniel Botha (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Darby Lancaster (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
David Havili (New Zealand, Crusaders)
Folau Fakatava (New Zealand, Highlanders)
George Dyer (New Zealand, Chiefs)
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Hoskins Sotutu (New Zealand, Blues)
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (New Zealand/Samoa, Queensland Reds)
Jock Campbell (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Joe Brial (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Joey Walton (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Joshua Fusitu’a (New Zealand, Blues)
Kalani Thomas (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Kurt Eklund (New Zealand, Blues)
Lachlan Anderson (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Mac Grealy (Australia, Western Force)
Marika Koroibete (Australia, Panasonic Wild Knights)
Matt Philip (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Ngani Laumape (New Zealand, Moana Pasifika)
Pete Samu (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Richie Asiata (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Seru Uru (Australia, Queensland Reds)
Shannon Frizell (New Zealand, Toshiba Brave Lupus)
Shaun Stevenson (New Zealand, Kubota Spears)
Tane Edmed (Australia, NSW Waratahs)
Final preparations in Canberra
10:50 , George FloodFinal preparations at Canberra’s GIO Stadium, which has filled up nicely.
Kick-off is now just over 10 minutes away.
Australia fail to impress in Fiji warm-up clash
10:45 , George FloodIt is worth noting that the Lions would have seen nothing from Australia at the weekend to have them concerned about the looming Test series.
The Wallabies were very disappointing indeed in their only warm-up game against Fiji in Newcastle, needing a last-gasp try from captain Harry Wilson - who did eventually get the ball grounded - to avoid a disastrous loss at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Fiji are no easy opponents of course, but Joe Schmidt would have been hoping for much better and afterwards seemed very downbeat on his side’s chances of beating the Lions.
Fiji really should have won the game after a blistering performance that included a stunning try from Salesi Rayasi and a controversial disallowed score through Sireli Maqala that was chalked off for Harry Potter’s foot being in touch.
We should mention though that Australia - ranked eighth in the world these days despite an improved autumn in which they beat England at Twickenham - were without some key players through injury in Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon and Will Skelton, while Dave Porecki and James Slipper both had HIAs to go along with Noah Lolesio’s injury.
Noah Lolesio injury blow leaves Australia with fly-half problem
10:36 , George FloodHe wouldn’t have played today anyway, but Brumbies and first-choice Australia fly-half Noah Lolesio has been ruled out for the entire Lions Test series after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old was stretchered off with his neck in a brace after a heavy tackle and landing in Sunday’s lacklustre warm-up win over Fiji in Newcastle.
He was cleared of a serious neck injury and discharged from hospital, but Rugby Australia announced yesterday that he had been readmitted for an operation after follow-up checks and would now spend a period away from the game rehabilitating.
It leaves Ben Donaldson as the presumed Test starter at 10 for the Wallabies, with the inexperienced duo of Tom Lynagh and Tane Edmed other options, unless head coach Joe Schmidt chooses to call up a veteran like James O’Connor or Bernard Foley.
Both Edmed and the uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips are in the AUNZ Invitational XV squad to face the Lions in Adelaide on Saturday.
O’Connor and Foley are not involved in that match, with Schmidt set to name his revised Australia squad for the Test series on Friday.
Maro Itoje backs Owen Farrell for England return
10:24 , George FloodHe’s not involved today as we said, but Owen Farrell is out warming up with Finn Russell and Co ahead of kick-off in Canberra.
Yesterday, Maro Itoje backed his long-time team-mate to return to the England fold after making a quick comeback to Saracens on a two-year deal.
Farrell has not played Test rugby since stepping back after the 2023 World Cup in order to prioritise his and his family’s mental wellbeing.
The move to France obviously made him ineligible for international selection anyway.
"Yeah, why not? I want to see him be happy," said Itoje.
"If he wants to play for England, why not? That would be amazing if that's in his plans and in his dreams.
"Owen is one of the best England players that we've ever seen.
“A fit Owen Farrell makes any team better. If that's in his ambitions, why not?"
Andy Farrell: Lions Test spots still on the line
10:13It is interesting to see Andy Farrell having gone with his likely Test team today rather than against the AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday.
It gives them 10 days to rest and recover after tonight before that first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 19.
However, Farrell himself insists that Test spots are still very much up for grabs.
"The truth of the matter is we have got a good side that's going to take the field on Wednesday and I will tell you what I said to the team," he said this week.
"There's always going to be speculation, but it's up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in with regards to the chance they have got on Wednesday and on Saturday.
"Players can play themselves in and players can play themselves out, but we are looking for a cohesive team performance and that is what we are trying to achieve.
"There has to be movement in selection. The nature of the format of these two games allows for us to be open-minded.
"We play on Saturday after this and have a full week's worth of training, so you have to stay open-minded. A closed book is not good for anyone.
"I wouldn't call it a blank slate, you have always got ideas, but you need to leave wriggle room for things to unfold and make a judgement on what you see over the next couple of games."
Aki and Ringrose vs 'Huwipulotu' in midfield battle
10:04 , George FloodYou’ve got to think that Tommy Freeman and James Lowe will be the starting Lions wings for the first Test, injury permitting, while the rest of the front row looks set - though some might debate still whether Ellis Genge is better to have as a massive impact off the bench.
The half-back pairing also looks decided, though the busy Alex Mitchell has being playing terrifically with plenty of opportunity to lay down the challenge to Jamison Gibson-Park.
I think most interesting today is the midfield, with Andy Farrell seemingly leaning towards the Ireland pairing of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose to go up against the formidable Wallabies partnership of Joseph Suaalii and Len Ikitau.
However, Scotland duo Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu - or ‘Huwipulotu’, as they’ve become known - showed their impressive synergy against the Waratahs, with the former registering two first-half tries to state his case.
Lions Test audition ahead with places still up for grabs
09:56So, where do we think the biggest performances are needed today in terms of securing a Lions Test berth?
Tadhg Furlong’s quality and significant Lions pedigree is certainly indisputable, but he’s yet to get back to his best after injury and could do with a statement showing against the Brumbies with fellow Ireland tighthead Finlay Bealham going well on a tour he wasn’t originally supposed to be part of until Zander Fagerson’s injury, in addition to Will Stuart.
A good performance from Blair Kinghorn back at 15 would surely cement his Test spot ahead of Hugo Keenan, who hasn’t had the best start Down Under.
The composition of the back row may still be in question too, Tom Curry still has that 7 jersey but certainly hasn’t hit the heights for the Lions so far, while Tadhg Beirne’s uncharacteristically shaky performances have handed the clear advantage to Ollie Chessum in the battle to start on the blindside as Andy Farrell likely opts for that 6/lock hybrid.
Ben Earl carried very well against the Waratahs but Jack Conan is the only out-and-out number eight on tour with no Caelan Doris, so looks to be in the driving seat.
You’ve got to think another impressive display from Joe McCarthy today would seal his place alongside captain Maro Itoje in the second row against Australia in Brisbane.
Owen Farrell set for Lions tour debut this weekend
09:41 , George FloodAs mentioned, today’s game comes too soon for Owen Farrell, who joined up with the squad in Sydney on Friday and watched the scrappy win over the Waratahs from the stands at Allianz Stadium after being called up as an injury replacement for Elliot Daly.
Farrell has not played since suffering a concussion in Racing 92’s Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Lyon on May 4, having also seen his miserable lone season in France wrecked by a lingering groin issue that required surgery.
But it looks like he has now passed the necessary return-to-play protocols and was a full participant in Lions training at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra on Tuesday.
He is expected to officially begin his fourth Lions tour on Saturday against a strong-looking AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide, looking to get himself in the mix for a place in the matchday Test squad.
“I wouldn't say he's over the jet lag just yet,” dad and Lions head coach Andy Farrell said of Owen yesterday.
“I think he was up all night, but haven't we all been through that? But the rest is fine.”
Brumbies set to provide serious Lions test
09:34 , George FloodMany believe that today’s game will be the toughest that the Lions face on this tour outside of the Australia Test series and of course not counting their defeat by Argentina before departure.
The Brumbies - coached by former stalwart Wallabies fly-half Stephen Larkham - are traditionally the best-performing of Australia’s four Super Rugby franchises, finishing third this season before dispatching New Zealand’s Hurricanes 35-28 in dramatic fashion in the quarter-finals.
They were eventually bested in the last four 37-17 by the Chiefs, who went on to lose the final to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
In wings Billy Pollard - not available today - and Corey Toole, they have two of the top three try scorers in Super Rugby in 2025, both notching 11 this term - behind only Western Force flanker Carlo Tizzano.
Andy Muirhead was not far behind on nine.
They may be missing so many Wallabies, but the Lions can still expect a real challenge in Canberra.
Stage is set in Canberra
09:23 , George FloodIt should be a packed house at the 25,011-capacity GIO Stadium in Canberra, which also hosts the NRL’s Canberra Raiders as well as being the home of Super Rugby’s ACT Brumbies since 1996.
Wales also played a few games here back at the 2003 World Cup.
It lies next to the Australian Institute of Sport, where the Lions have been training this week.
Lions vs Brumbies prediction
09:13 , Alex YoungThis is where things get serious for the Lions, with a lot of expectation falling upon what is essentially the Test team to lay down a marker and rise to the challenge against Australia’s best Super Rugby side, albeit one seriously weakened by missing so many Wallabies stars.
Andy Farrell bemoaned the sheer number of handling errors and botched opportunities against the Waratahs, but called the game a valuable learning experience.
He will be expecting far better this time around and the onus is on the Lions to utilise their physicality and hugely superior strength in depth to emphatic effect, all the while keeping up those notable improvements to both scrum and lineout, also delivering a vastly improved attacking display with ball in hand.
We’re backing the Lions to rise to the occasion and send out a real statement after Australia’s massively underwhelming performance against Fiji in their only warm-up game, in which they needed a late try from Harry Wilson to avoid a chastening loss.
Lions to win, by 15 points.
Lions vs Brumbies head-to-head
09:10 , Alex YoungThe Lions lost their last match against the Brumbies in 2013, the hosts edging out the tourists 14-13 in a famous victory ahead of the Test series, which the Lions won 2-1 under Warren Gatland for their first series win since 1997 in South Africa.
The Lions beat them 30-28 before their series defeat by the Wallabies in 2001, Austin Healey’s dramatic last-gasp try successfully converted by Matt Dawson.
Lions wins: 1
Brumbies wins: 1
Draws: 0
Brumbies lineup
09:00 , Alex YoungBrumbies XV: Muirhead; O'Donnell, Sapsford, Feliuai, Toole; Meredith, R Lonergan (c); Leli, L Lonergan, Van Nek; Shaw, Neville; T Hooper, Scott, Tualima
Replacements: Bowron, Orr, Fotuaika, L Hooper, Reimer, Goddard, Debreczeni, Creighton
Brumbies team news
08:54 , Alex YoungThe Brumbies are without all of Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, Nick Frost, Len Ikitau, Billy Pollard and Tom Wright as Joe Schmidt prepares to name his revised Australia squad for the Lions on Friday, with Rob Valetini having missed out through injury against Fiji and fly-half Noah Lolesio undergone surgery that will rule him out for the whole series having been stretchered off in Newcastle.
Flanker Tom Hooper - who will join Exeter next season - and wing Corey Toole have been released by the Wallabies to start, though Blake Schoupp and Charlie Cale are among the key injury absentees.
Lions lineup
08:45 , Alex YoungLions XV: Kinghorn; Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong; Itoje (c), McCarthy; Chessum, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen
Lions team news
08:40 , Alex YoungAndy Farrell has named what many expect to be the starting first Test XV for what could well be their most difficult challenge on this tour outside the Wallabies series.
The only slight question marks remain around full-back, where Blair Kinghorn starts after making his first tour appearance on the wing on Saturday as he looks to outduel Hugo Keenan, and at tighthead prop, where Tadhg Furlong is still among the world’s best and a proven Lions veteran but needs to get back to top form with the likes of Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham pressing hard.
Joe McCarthy looks to be firmly in the driving seat for that second lock spot alongside captain Maro Itoje, while Ollie Chessum is ahead of Tadhg Beirne to line up at blindside flanker in a back row also featuring openside Tom Curry and Jack Conan, who in the absence of Ireland skipper Caelan Doris is the only out-and-out number eight on the tour.
Henry Pollock is on the bench after being withdrawn late against the Waratahs as a precaution with a tight calf, while there is no Welshman in the squad at all with Jac Morgan not selected and Tomos Williams having flown home injured along with Elliot Daly.
The game comes too soon for Owen Farrell, who is expected to play against the AUNZ Invitational XV after training fully for the first time on Tuesday. The Canberra-born Mack Hansen is set to face his old club off the bench.
How to watch Lions vs Brumbies
08:33 , Alex YoungTV channel: Sky Sports has the exclusive broadcasting rights to the Lions tour again in the UK this summer, and this match will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Coverage begins at 10am BST, which is an hour before kick-off in Australia.
Live stream: Those with a Sky Sports subscription can also watch the match live online via the Sky Go app. They can also be streamed via NOW.
Welcome
08:29 , Alex YoungGood morning and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the British and Irish Lions clash with ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
It is the fourth Lions clash of the summer, with three of them coming in Australia. There is one more before three Tests against the Wallabies.
Andy Farrell’s side have yet to fully convince but today’s line-up is thought to the the closest yet to the one who will line up against Australia next week.
Kick-off is at 11am UK time. Stick with us.
