Head coach Andy Farrell has named his squad ahead of the British and Irish Lions Vs Argentina in Dublin on Friday night.
Tour captain Maro Itoje will lead the side in a rare home fixture for the Lions before they head down under to take on Australia.
Bristol’s Ellis Genge starts at loosehead, alongside England teammate Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker.
They are joined in the front row by Ireland’s Finlay Bealham. The Connacht prop was called up last week after Scotland’s Zander Fagerson was ruled out of the tour through injury.
Joining Itoje in the second row is Munster and Ireland local Tadhg Beirne.
English duo Tom Curry and Ben Earl start along with Wales captain Jac Morgan in a dynamic back row.
It’s an all-Northampton Saints halfback pairing, as England’s Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith start at nine and 10.
In the centres, Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Ireland’s Bundee Aki will form a dangerous-looking midfield partnership.
Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe joins another Northampton and England star in Tommy Freeman on the wings.
And it’s a start at fullback for Harlequins and England fly-half Marcus Smith.
Our team to face Argentina in Dublin! 🦁#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 18, 2025
Squad For British And Irish Lions Vs Argentina In Dublin
Starting XV
- Ellis Genge
- Luke Cowan-Dickie
- Finlay Bealham
- Maro Itoje (c)
- Tadhg Beirne
- Tom Curry
- Jac Morgan
- Ben Earl
- Alex Mitchell
- Fin Smith
- Duhan van der Merwe
- Bundee Aki
- Sione Tuipulotu
- Tommy Freeman
- Marcus Smith
Replacements
Kelleher, Schoeman, Furlong, Cummings, Pollock, Williams, Daly, Hansen.
British & Irish Lions Squad Depleted For Argentina Fixture
There is always a huge amount of excitement surrounding the first British and Irish Lions squad announced on each tour.
But this particular lineup is especially intriguing due to the depleted squad Andy Farrell had to choose from.
Due to last weekend’s Gallagher Premiership Final and URC final, 15 of the squad only arrived in camp on Monday.
This includes Bath duo Will Stuart and Fin Russell, as well as Leicester Tigers’ Ollie Chessum.
And no fewer than 12 Leinster players arrived late after their triumph against the Bulls.
As a result, Tadhg Furlong is named on the bench as the only one of those 15 to be involved against Argentina.
How To Watch British And Irish Lions Vs Argentina In Dublin
Friday nights clash against Argentina will be down live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Kick off is at 8:00pm in Dublin, with coverage starting at 7:oopm, on Sky Sports Main Event.
Those without access to a TV can still tune in via a live stream.
Anybody with a valid Sky Sports subscription can tune in on compatible electronic devices using the Sky Go app or through Now TV.
