Lions vs Queensland Reds LIVE!
The British and Irish Lions cruised to a comfortable 52-12 victory over the Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane to move to two wins from two Down Under. Andy Farrell’s tourists were dealt two scares early on in the first half as Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen and Josh Flook both put the hosts ahead, with tries from Tommy Freeman and Andrew Porter cancelling both of them out.
Duhan Van der Merwe atoned for his earlier error when he dotted down in the corner with five minutes of the first half to play, and the Lions went in on the front foot. In the second half, it was much more one-way traffic, as captain Maro Itoje bulldozed his way over, before Jac Morgan powered home to extend the lead.
Huw Jones steamed clear to add another, before Garry Ringrose put the icing on the cake in the dying embers to make it a good evening’s work for the visitors.
Lions vs Queensland Reds latest news
- TRY! Ringrose completes rout
- TRY! Jones sprints clear
- TRY! Freeman doubles his tally
- TRY! Morgan gets in on act
- TRY! Itoje crashes over
- TRY! Van der Merwe touches down in corner
FT: Reds 12-52 Lions
12:50 , Oli GentThere’s the full-time whistle. A morale-boosting win for the tourists, who are now two wins from two Down Under.
Thanks very much for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE rugby.
Reds 12-52 Lions
12:47 , Oli Gent84 mins: The final nail in the coffin, as Ringrose completes the rout. It’s spun wide for the full-back, who joins the queue tight to the touchline, and he touches down in the corner for number eight.
Reds 12-47 Lions
12:46 , Oli Gent82 mins: No try! The Lions are pushing for one more, with a maul collapsing onto the line, but the referee rules offside against the hosts. The ball breaks loose, however, as Werchon kicks it upfield to clear the danger, and he gives chase hopefully. The referee pulls it back for a scrum after a knockdown, as we move further into the red.
Reds 12-47 Lions
12:42 , Oli Gent79 mins: It’s been a valiant effort from Les Kiss’ hosts. They’ve battled hard, but the quality has told in the end. They had a superb first 20, but they’ve run out of puff. It’s a big morale-boosting win for Andy Farrell’s side.
Reds 12-47 Lions
12:39 , Oli Gent76 mins: Jack Conan lead the way for most carries this game with 13. It’s been a mammoth display from the No8.
Reds 12-47 Lions
12:36 , Oli Gent74 mins: Daly discomfort... the full-back is holding his wrist on the bench, and there seems to be some blood there too. Not a good sign for Andy Farrell, having lost Keenan to illness earlier today.
Reds 12-47 Lions
12:33 , Oli Gent72 mins: More changes for the Lions, with Ben Earl introduced for Aki. Ringrose replaces Daly, and Ellis Genge is also on for Porter.
Reds 12-47 Lions
12:32 , Oli Gent70 mins: They started so well, the Reds, but they really have collapsed this half. They’ve been overzealous in their pressure and at the breakdown, throwing too many men into the challenges and leaving themselves exposed in behind. It’s been quite an easy ride for the tourists in the last few minutes.
Reds 12-47 Lions
12:28 , Oli GentTry! 66 mins: They’r running riot in Brisbane! It’s Huw Jones who gets himself a score, as a intercepts an attempted chip over the top. He steams clear, racing towards the line, and dots down confidently as Smith screws the following kick wide.
Reds 12-42 Lions
12:26 , Oli Gent65 mins: A change for the hosts as Connor Vest replaces Brial at No8.
Reds 12-42 Lions
12:2564 mins: Daly needs some treatment on his wrist, which he seems to have jarred as he attempts a half-hearted tackle.
This could be a problem for the tourists, although a welcome sign for Blair Kinghorn...
Reds 12-42 Lions
12:22 , Oli GentTry! 61 mins: And another! Morgan slips down the right before the ball is switched back towards the left flank. Freeman takes the catch and pirouettes really well to touch down for his second! Smith converts.
Reds 12-35 Lions
12:20 , Oli Gent59 mins: It could be a case of how many now as the Lions are looking hungry to extend their lead. More changes have arrived with Ryan on for his debut, while Bealham is on too.
Reds 12-35 Lions
12:17 , Oli GentTry! 57 mins: And it leads to another score, as Jac Morgan gets himself on the scoresheet. Great decision from Itoje to take the set piece, and Morgan is the recipient as it’s worked back inside, with the Reds’ defence at sixes and sevens. Smith adds two more.
Reds 12-28 Lions
12:16 , Oli Gent56 mins: Curiously, they opt for the scrum, although they’re in a promising central position looking towards the posts.
Reds 12-28 Lions
12:15 , Oli Gent55 mins: Indeed they can, with a penalty for the tourists after the Toomaga-Allen is caught with his hands in the ruck.
Reds 12-28 Lions
12:14 , Oli Gent53 mins: Penalty, Lions. There’s a shoulder barge from Canham into the face of Conan, and Smith has his first kick for touch. It’s a decent one, and the tourists can build from this.
Reds 12-28 Lions
12:12 , Oli Gent52 mins: Changes afoot for the Lions as Stuart, Gibson-Park, and Russell all make way. Fin Smith, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Alex Mitchell are all on.
Reds 12-28 Lions
12:09 , Oli Gent49 mins: It’s the Reds’ turn to build through the phases as they look to hit back. Their attacks have some intent in them as they crash into challenges, but the Lions’ defensive unit is remaining resolute at present.
Reds 12-28 Lions
12:06 , Oli GentTry! 46 mins: The Lions extend their lead, and it’s the captain that scores it! Driving through the heart of the Reds defence, and he bulldozees his way to the line from Gibson-Park’s pop off the floor. Russell knocks over the extras, and the score is looking a lot healthier now.
Reds 12-21 Lions
12:04 , Oli Gent45 mins: Campbell and Uru combine to try and run the Reds out of a tight spot, but the full-back is down clutching his head after a flailing arm catches him. It’s a scrum for the Lions in the hosts’ half, however...
Reds 12-21 Lions
12:02 , Oli Gent44 mins: Possession was dead level in the first half at 50--50, but the Lions bettered their hosts in metres made, with 262 to 122.
Kick off
12:00 , Oli Gent41 mins: Back underway in Brisbane.
HT: Reds 12-21 Lions
11:45 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and finally, a moment for us all to breathe. What will we see from the tourists in the second half, and how many changes will Farrell make?
Reds 12-21 Lions
11:44 , Oli Gent40 mins: It’s been a manic opening half, but there will be things that Andy Farrell will have really liked, and really disliked. Plenty to digest at half-time.
Reds 12-21 Lions
11:42 , Oli Gent38 mins: TMO review! Is that down from Anderson? The winger gives chase to a loose, bouncing ball into the corner, busting every lung to try and touch down. The referee goes upstairs to check it. No score, though, the TMO rules!
Reds 12-21 Lions
11:40 , Oli GentTry! 37 mins: It’s another, and it’s Van der Merwe who makes amends for his earlier error. He scores in the corner after a swift move wide left, and Russell does really well to angle the conversion kick between the posts.
Reds 12-14 Lions
11:37 , Oli Gent34 mins: It’s been a breathless first half with very little space for either side to let up. Stuart is involved in a collision, and there’s a scrum for the hosts.
Reds 12-14 Lions
11:32 , Oli GentTry! 29 mins: There’s a TMO review as the Lions try and score under the posts, but it’s brought back for a high tackle. There’s a five-yard scrum, and Andrew Porter forces it over from the resulting drive!
Russell adds the extras.
Reds 12-7 Lions
11:28 , Oli GentTry! 26 mins: But what’s this? The Reds are back in front, and it’s Flook who dives in to steal the ball, with Van der Merwe caught ball-watching! The ball bounces as the outside centre gambles to chase down the grubber, and he beats the Scottish winger to the ball and puts the hots ahead.
Reds 7-7 Lions
11:26 , Oli Gent25 mins: Van der Merwe is pressured in his own defensive corner under the high ball, and does really well to avoid having to concede the 22-dropout with a dart through the bodies.
Reds 7-7 Lions
11:24 , Oli Gent23 mins: This has been a seriously high-octane first quarter, with some fast-paced play from both sides. A good watch so far.
Reds 7-7 Lions
11:21 , Oli GentTry! 20 mins: Tommy Freeman touches down, and the Lions are level! It’s a really good move, as he speeds around the outside after Daly picked him out. Russell adds the extra two, and we’re equal once more.
Reds 7-0 Lions
11:19 , Oli Gent19 mins: Well, the chance is gone, with Ross getting the plaudits, forcing the Lions front row to collapse the scrum.
Reds 7-0 Lions
11:18 , Oli Gent16 mins: That’s really nicely worked down the line by the tourists as Williams gets a chance to burst down the right, but he stunts any momentum built by checking back inside.
He’s tacked before play is switched to the left, but a slight miscommunication means that it’s scrum down, Reds ball.
Reds 7-0 Lions
11:14 , Oli Gent13 mins: Held up! The Lions look to hit back immediately as the forwards try and force their way through the phases, but it’s brilliantly held up by the Queensland collective!
Reds 7-0 Lions
11:13 , Oli GentConverted! 10 mins: McLaughlin-Phillips adds the extras!
Reds 5-0 Lions
11:11Try! 9 mins: There’s the first score of the game, and it’s a superb try! Brial is the one that crashes through bodies, while Toomaga-Allen and Salakaia-Loto are also invovled in the melee on the line. It’s dotted down, however, as the prop extends an arm to score! What a stunning start!
Reds 0-0 Lions
11:09 , Oli Gent8 mins: The Reds have started this game with purpose in-possession. A couple of passes have gone awry, but that’s to be expected with the nerve levels. They’re looking for quick pick and gos through the forwards, as well as working the bal quickly through the hands when they get the chance.
Reds 0-0 Lions
11:06 , Oli Gent6 mins: Penalty, Reds. Stuart is penalised for collapsing the scrum, and the hosts can kick their way out of danger.
Reds 0-0 Lions
11:04 , Oli Gent3 mins: A first penalty as McLaughlin-Phillips drops the knock-down from the Reds lineout. Russell goes for touch, and there’s an immediate wave of Lions pressure as they flood towards the home line. The attack is halted, however, brought back for a scrum after a slight fumble from Gibson-Park.
Kick off
11:01 , Oli Gent1 min: We are underway.
ICYMI: Confirmed XVs
10:56 , Oli GentHere are the two team line-ups once more for those that missed them...
Queensland Reds XV: Campbell; Anderson, Flook, Paisami, Ryan; McLaughlin-Phillips, Thomas; Ross, Faessler, Toomaga-Allen, Canham, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Bryant, Brial.
British and Irish Lions XV: Daly; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Van der Merwe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Curry, Morgan, Conan
Familar face
10:45 , Oli GentLes Kiss is the Reds’ head coach, but he won’t be for much longer.
He has agreed to oversee Australia from next year from mid-2026, with Joe Schmidt remaining in post until then.
Before that, he was assistant head coach at Ireland under Declan Kidney before becoming interim head coach in 2013.
He was the director of rugby at Ulster, but resigned in 2018, before he took over the reins at London Irish.
He moved to Queensland in 2023.
Last time out
10:30 , Oli GentThe last time these two played each other, the Lions beat the Reds 22-12 back in 2013.
Owen Farrell was lethal off the tee that day, tallying 17 points, while Ben Youngs scored the tourists’ only try.
The Reds beat the Lions back in 1971, 15-11 the score as that year’s summer tour began with a defeat.
Chance for Daly to impress
10:25He performed well against Western Force, and he is back in the fold again at the last minute.
Daly could well have made the Test 15 shirt his own by the end of this game with another good display, although he will have Blair Kinghorn breathing down his neck after the Scot’s recent arrival in Australasia.
Today's venue
10:14The Suncorp Stadium plays host today.
It holds a 52,500 capacity, and it opened back in 1914.
It is the Reds’ home ground, and they share it with rugby league outfit the Brisbane Broncos.
LATE CHANGE: Keenan ruled out, replaced by Daly
10:01 , Oli GentHugo Keenan’s debut will have to wait, with the Irish full-back ruled out of this one late on with illness.
The Lions have confirmed that his place in the back three by Elliot Daly.
Late change for the Lions ahead of tonight's match in Brisbane 🔄#Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/DmPBdPQhRJ
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 2, 2025
Reds' recent form
10:00How have the Brisbane outfit fared this season? Decently.
They’ve won eight of their last 14, losing six, as they finished fifth in the Super Rugby Pacific table.
They beat the Lions’ most recent opponents, Western Force, 28-24 in both matches.
They were defeated in the play-offs earlier this month by champions Crusaders 32-12.
They decimated Bristol 82-21 and beat Ulster 38-31 on their pre-season tour of the northern hemisphere.
Reds' ones to watch
09:45 , Oli GentThere are nine Australian internationals in the hosts’ squad, and two former All Blacks too.
Flanker Fraser McReight, scrum-half Tate McDermott and fly-half Tom Lynagh are all being rested for the Test match to come against Fiji on Sunday.
Ross, the New Zealander, will form a front row with the Wallabies’ hooker Matt Faessler and former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen.
Williams ruled out
09:35 , Oli GentTomos Williams, the Welsh scrum-half, has been sidelined for the rest of the tour with a torn hamstring that he suffered when scoring the second try against the Western Force last time out.
As a result, Ben White (not the Arsenal defender) was called up to replace him. The Scotland international is not in today’s squad, but has joined up with the rest of the group Down Under.
Russell the only survivor
09:26 , Oli GentFinn Russell is the only player to keep his place in Farrell’s starting line-up.
Maro Itoje is back to skipper the side, while Irish duo Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park make their first appearances of the tour at full-back and scrum-half.
Standard Sport's prediction
09:10 , Oli GentThe final scoreline on Saturday flattered the Lions, with the Western Force arguably having the better of the first half in Perth despite trailing 21-7 at the break.
Eventually the tourists’ far superior depth saw them run away with an emphatic win, but it was a real test for 50 minutes that should stand them in good stead as the Australia series edges ever closer.
Farrell was much more complimentary of that performance than the one against Argentina, after which he lamented his team’s high error count and even questioned their hunger.
But there is still plenty to work on for the Lions, not least their iffy lineout, lost restarts and a scrum that went well against the Pumas before some worrying signs emerged in Perth.
Farrell will be eager to see the half-back pairing of Gibson-Park and Russell fire to feed a potent backline who will be eyeing plenty of tries against a Reds team weakened by some key absences but still boasting plenty of international experience, with nine players who have turned out for the Wallabies and two who have lined up for the All Blacks.
Expect another stiff challenge for the Lions early on, before they pull away once more for another big win.
Lions to win by 20 points.
Queensland Reds team news
09:00 , Oli GentConfirmed Queensland Reds XV: Campbell; Anderson, Flook, Paisami, Ryan; McLaughlin-Phillips, Thomas; Ross, Faessler, Toomaga-Allen, Canham, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Bryant, Brial.
Replacements: Nasser, Blake, Fa'agase, Smith, Blyth, Vest, Werchon, Henry
Lions team news
08:50 , Oli GentAndy Farrell has rung the changes as he looks to assess the full depth of his squad ahead of the three big Test matches against the Wallabies later this month.
Confirmed British and Irish Lions XV: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Van der Merwe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Curry, Morgan, Conan
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Bealham, Ryan, Earl, Mitchell, F Smith, Ringrose
How to watch
08:40 , Oli GentTV channel: Sky Sports have exclusive broadcasting rights to the 2025 Lions tour in the UK. Live coverage of Wednesday’s game begins at 10am BST on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the action online via the Sky Go app.
Hello and welcome!
08:29 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the British and Irish Lions’ encounter with the Queensland Reds as their summr tour continues.
Andy Farrell’s side take to Brisbane at the Suncorp Stadium, and are looking to build on a morale-boosting 54-7 win over the Western Force.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 11am BST.
