British and Irish Lions set to play historic warm-up Test against Argentina in Dublin before heading to Australia in 2025… with move fuelling suggestion Andy Farrell will lead side
- Schedule for Lions’ 2025 tour of Australia has been confirmed
- Fixture in Dublin will add to feeling Andy Farrell will take charge of the team
- Test will be at the Aviva Stadium, not the larger capacity Croke Park
The Lions will make an historic first appearance in Ireland ahead of their tour of Australia in 2025 – by staging a warm-up Test against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
This preparatory, fund-raising home fixture for the combined British and Irish team follows a similar game against Japan in Edinburgh, before the last, Covid-era tour in 2021. On that occasion, the Lions beat the Brave Blossoms 28-10 at Murrayfield.
The last encounter with Argentina was back in 2005, when the teams drew 25-25 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
The Lions have now finalised a 10-match itinerary in 2025, which has been made possible by an historic agreement with both the Premiership and United Rugby Championship, to secure early player-release.
Taking on the Pumas will ensure that the four-nation touring team will have some meaningful, competitive game-time before facing potential under-strength provincial opposition Down Under, in the build-up to a Test series against the Wallabies.
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host a British and Irish Lions vs Argentina Test in 2025
Gareth Cooper in action for the Lions in their 2005 Cardiff warm-up match with Argentina
The Lions took on Japan at Murrayfield in Edinburgh ahead of their 2021 tour
Dublin is the location of the Lions’ administrative headquarters, but assigning this fixture to the Irish capital will reinforce the growing assumption that Andy Farrell – the English head coach of Ireland – will take charge of the next southern-hemisphere crusade.
However, staging the match at the Aviva Stadium will severely limit ticket and hospitality revenue as the national stadium has a capacity of just 52,000, whereas nearby Croke – the home of Gaelic games – can hold 30,000 more spectators.
Tickets for the clash with Argentina will go on sale from March, 2024 and a sell-out is certain.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports and, in a highly significant development, will also be broadcast live on terrestrial television.
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said: ‘We are delighted to confirm details of this fixture which is a key part of the overall tour.
‘The opportunity to play in Dublin at Aviva Stadium in front of over 50,000 Lions fans will make for a great occasion and the perfect send-off.
‘British & Irish Lions tours have a rich heritage built over 130 years of touring, but it is important that we look for ways in which to evolve our tours.
‘This fixture is one such example of this and builds on the success of the pre-tour fixture against Japan at Murrayfield in 2021.
‘The 1888 Cup match in Dublin will give even more supporters the opportunity to be part of the Lions’ exciting journey and we look forward to witnessing a sea of red in Dublin before we depart for Australia.’
News of the Dublin fixture reinforces the assumption that Andy Farrell will coach the team
The Lions were beaten 2-1 by South Africa on their Covid-affected tour back in 2021
Ieuan Evans, chairman of the Lions, added: ‘This fixture is set to be an amazing occasion as well as an important part of our preparation ahead of the 2025 tour, as we bid to claim our first Lions Series win since 2013.’
Kevin Potts, the chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union welcomed the agreement to host a Lions fixture in Dublin, saying: ‘I am delighted that Irish fans will have an opportunity to watch one of rugby’s most popular and iconic teams play for the very first time in Ireland.
‘The IRFU is very proud to host this ‘home’ fixture prior to the 2025 Tour, and it promises to be a momentous celebration for Irish rugby in our 150th Anniversary season.’
Argentina’s rugby union are delighted to have secured the opportunity for the Pumas to take on the mighty Lions again and president Gabriel Travaglini said: ‘It is a great honour and privilege to be able to play The British & Irish Lions. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for our players, and it is a great opportunity to play against a team with such prestige and history.’
Lions 2025 tour schedule
June 20: Lions vs Argentina (Aviva Stadium, Dublin)
June 28: Lions vs Western Force (Optus Stadium, Perth)
July 2: Lions vs Queensland Reds (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
July 5: Lions vs NSW Waratahs (Allianz Stadium, Sydney)
July 9: Lions vs ACT Brumbies (GIO Stadium, Canberra)
July 12: Lions vs Invitational AU & NZ (Adelaide Oval)
July 19: 1st Test, Lions vs Wallabies (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
July 22: Lions vs Melbourne Rebels (Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)
July 26: 2nd Test, Lions vs Wallabies (Melbourne Cricket Ground)
August 2: 3rd Test, Lions vs Wallabies (Accor Stadium, Sydney)
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