British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has confirmed the team to face First Nations & Pasifika XV in the last midweek fixture of the 2025 tour in Australia. The game takes place on Tuesday, 22 July, at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.
Owen Farrell to captain in his 20th Lions appearance
Saracens star Owen Farrell will lead the side and start at inside centre, partnering Ireland’s Jamie Osborne in midfield. This will be Farrell’s 20th game for the Lions.
Backline features all-Scottish back three
Blair Kinghorn returns from injury to start at full-back, joining Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings. At half-back, Scotland’s Ben White pairs with England fly-half Fin Smith.
Powerful pack led by experienced forwards
Up front, Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George, and Finlay Bealham form the front row, while James Ryan and Scott Cummings make up the second row. In the back row, Jac Morgan starts at blindside, Josh van der Flier at openside, and Henry Pollock at No.8.
Farrell commented:
“This fixture gives players another chance to stake a claim for the final two Tests. We know the challenge – First Nations Pasifika will bring power and flair, so we need to hit our standards.”
Kick-off is at 11:00 BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
British & Irish Lions starting XV
- Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #868
- Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819
- Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #856
- James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #880
- Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #869
- Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) #861
- Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #874
- Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
- Ben White (Toulon/Scotland) #883
- Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) #862
- Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
- Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) #780 (c)
- Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
- Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882
Replacements
- Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
- Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #840
- Tom Clarkson (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
- Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
- Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857
- Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
- Marcus Smith (Harlequins/England) #855
- Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
