Andy Farrell’s squad head to Brisbane with confidence after a seven-try 54-7 demolition of the Western Force in their opening game Down Under in Perth on Saturday that saw them given an initially stern challenge before pulling away emphatically in the second half.
Though there remains plenty to work on and the Force more than held their own for an extremely physical and competitive opening 50 minutes at Optus Stadium, it was exactly the sort of reaction Farrell would have been looking for after the shock 1888 Cup defeat by Argentina in Dublin.
Now the Lions prepare to face more Super Rugby Pacific opposition in the Reds, who finished four places higher than the Force in the 2025 season and were defeated by eventual champions the Crusaders in the quarter-finals earlier this month.
They are led by former London Irish and Ireland coach and Ulster director of rugby Les Kiss, who will be taking on the Australia job from Joe Schmidt next year.
He has challenged his players to “rip in” to the Lions, though is missing a few key names who have not been released by Schmidt from the Wallabies squad preparing to face Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 their only warm-up fixture for the three-Test series against the Lions.
British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds date, kick-off time and venue
The British and Irish Lions face the Queensland Reds on Wednesday July 2, 2025, with kick-off set for 11am BST – 8pm local time.
The match will take place at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
How to watch British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds
TV 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.
Live blog: Follow the match with Standard Sport’s live blog.
British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds team news
Jamison Gibson-Park is fit to line up alongside him, making his Lions debut after a glute problem as we get a first look at what is likely to be the starting half-back pairing for the Test series against Australia.
Hugo Keenan is also handed a Lions debut and his first involvement of the summer at full-back following a calf issue, while lock James Ryan is on the bench after injury.
White had been in New Zealand preparing for Scotland’s upcoming Tests against Fiji and Samoa but now heads to Australia along with Scotland team-mate Blair Kinghorn, who is arriving from France after helping Toulouse to retain their Top 14 title against Bordeaux.
Both players will hope to come into contention for Saturday’s meeting with the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.
Ruled out: Tomos Williams will play no further part for the Lions in Australia due to a hamstring injury
AP
Tour captain Maro Itoje returns to partner England colleague Ollie Chessum in the second row as Tommy Freeman, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe, Tom Curry and Jac Morgan all return to the starting lineup in Brisbane, while Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Finlay Bealham, Fin Smith and Ben Earl are back on the bench, joining a third prospective Lions debutant in Ryan and Garry Ringrose.
Chessum, Huw Jones, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Will Stuart and Jack Conan make their first starts of the summer.
Australia duo Matt Faessler and Hunter Paisami start for the Reds after being released by Schmidt, but Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight all remain in Wallabies camp.
Former New Zealand prop Aidan Ross will make a swift debut in the front row after joining from the Chiefs following their Super Rugby Pacific final loss to the Crusaders.
British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds lineups
British and Irish Lions XV: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Van der Merwe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Stuart; Itoje (c), Chessum; Curry, Morgan, Conan
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Bealham, Ryan, Earl, Mitchell, F Smith, Ringrose
Queensland Reds XV: Campbell (c); 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
British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds head to head (h2h) history and results
The Reds gave the Lions a tough test on their last visit to Australia in 2013, pushing them all the way in a 22-12 loss that saw Owen Farrell slot four penalties.
The Lions beat the Reds more easily 42-8 back in 2001, with 17 points from Jonny Wilkinson and the likes of Brian O’Driscoll registering tries.
British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds prediction
The 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.
Challenge: The Lions were given a tough test by the Reds on their last tour of Australia in 2013
AFP via Getty Images
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.
British and Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds match odds
British and Irish Lions to win: 1/80
Queensland Reds to win: 40/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
