Maro Itoje returns to captain the Lions Vs Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday, with many believing Andy Farrell is beginning to finalise his test team.
Barring a couple of selection choices, this Lions team looked a lot like what many expect the first test team to be on 19 July.
A front row of Genge, Sheehan and Furlong is backed up by skipper Itoje and Ireland’s Joe McCarthy.
The versatile Ollie Chessume moves to six, with Tom Curry and Jack Conan completing the pack.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell are the halfbacks, continuing their impressive partnership from last week’s victory over the Queensland Reds.
Irish duo Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose start in midfield. This was always likely, however, with their Scottish counterparts Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu playing at the weekend.
And in the back three, Blair Kinghorn gets a first start in his preferred fullback position. James Lowe and Tommy Freeman are on the wings.
The bench sees Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter and Will Stuart as the replacement front row.
Josh van der Flier and a fit-again Henry Pollock are also poised to make an impact after the latter missed Wednesday’s game against the Waratahs with a minor calf problem.
With the Lions opting for a 5-3 split, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith are joined by Ireland’s Mack Hansen as the back replacements.
Owen Farrell Has To Wait For Lions Return
But a notable omission from the squad is that of Owen Farrell.
The now four-time tourist Farrell was called up to the Lions squad after Elliot Daly’s injury.
However, Farrell’s inclusion has divided fan opinion. The 33-year-old has not played international rugby in almost two years since taking a break from England duty after the 2023 World Cup.
But having announced a Saracens return after a year in France with Racing 92, he is thought to be fit and firing once again.
British And Irish Lions Vs Brumbies
British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen
Our team to face the Brumbies in Canberra! 🦁#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 7, 2025
British & Irish Lions Fixtures
- Friday, 20 June – Lions 24-28 Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
- Saturday, 28 June – Lions 54-7 Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
- Wednesday, 2 July – Lions 52-12 Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
- Saturday, 5 July – Lions 21-10 Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
- Wednesday, 9 July – Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
- Saturday, 12 July – Lions v Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
- Saturday, 19 July – Lions v Australia, First Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
- Tuesday, 22 July – Lions v First Nations & Pasifika XV, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
- Saturday, 26 July – Lions v Australia, Second Test, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
- Saturday, 2 August – Lions v Australia, Third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)
