The Lions kick off their tour in Australia with a match against Western Force first up
The British and Irish Lions face Western Force in the first tour game of Australia on Saturday.
The Lions will be hoping to bounce back after a surprise 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin in the 1888 Cup last week. Coming up against a quality Los Pumas side, and only being together for a matter of weeks, the team can be forgiven for a rare first game defeat.
It’s the first time the Lions have been Down Under since 2013, where Wales legend Sam Warburton led the iconic side to a series victory, which was also the last tour win too.
Just two Welshmen are part of the touring squad this year, which is the lowest representation from Wales since inception. Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams are hoping to earn a place in the starting squad or the bench for that first game against the Wallabies on July 19.
However, a series of warm-up games will take place against the very best of Australia’s Super Rugby sides first. Further, a match against an invitational Australia and New Zealand side will also take place at Adelaide Oval right before the first Test.
Following the first Test, there will be one game against First Nations and Pasifika XV before two back-to-back Test matches against Australia to close out the tour.
Saturday’s match against Western Force will mark the beginning of a six-week festival of rugby in Australia.
When is Lions V Western Force kick-off?
The British Irish Lions v Western Force kicks off at 11am UK time on Saturday, June 28, at Optus Stadium in Perth. It will be 6pm local time. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Viewing details
The British and Irish Lions V Western Force is being shown live on Sky Sports.
The match will be shown on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action.
Watch the Lions rugby tour on Sky Sports
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Sky Sports is the exclusive broadcaster of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests and six warm-up matches available to enjoy with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.
Team news
Lions: E Daly; M Hansen, G Ringrose, S Tuipulotu, J Lowe; F Russell, T Williams; P Schoeman, D Sheehan (capt), T Furlong, S Cummings, J McCarthy, T Beirne, J Van der Flier, H Pollock.
Replacements: R Kelleher, A Porter, W Stuart, O Chessum, J Conan, A Mitchell, H Jones, M Smith.
Western Force: Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ollie Hoskins, Sam Carter, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi; Nic White (c), Alex Harford, Dylan Pietsch, Hamish Stewart, Matt Proctor, Mac Grealy, Ben Donaldson.
Replacements: Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle.
