Morning all, welcome to our live coverage of the Lions’ penultimate warm–up game of the 2025 tour. 

Today’s opponents are the ACT Brumbies, underlined in advance as the Lions most dangerous warm-up opponents, and to whom they infamously lost on the eve of the first Test in 2013. 

After a fitful win over the Waratahs last Saturday, Andy Farrell has picked what looks suspiciously like his planned selection for that opening test against the Wallabies in 10 days time. 

Kick-off is at 11am Irish time, and we’ll bring you through it, blow-by-blow. 

It’s Gavin Cooney with you this morning, so get in touch below the line or by emailing gavincooney@the42.ie. 

TEAMS

A reminder of Andy Farrell’s selection for the Irish and British but mostly Irish Lions in Canberra this morning. 

Word from the ground earlier in the tour was that Farrell had targeted this game as a run-out for the Test team, so this is a selection of guys who are either nailed on to start against Australia or who at least have put themselves in the position to defend their jersey. 

There are eight Irish starters, with another four on the bench. 

LIONS: Blair Kinghorn; Tommy Freeman, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje (captain), Joe McCarthy; Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen

The Brumbies, meanwhile, are of course without their front-line Wallabies, but they have backline threats in Andy Muirhead and Corey Toole, while blindside Tom Hooper played for the Wallabies off the bench last weekend. 

BRUMBIES: Andy Muirhead; Ben O’Donnell, Ollie Sapsford, David Feliuai, Corey Toole; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan (captain); Lington Ieli, Lachlan Lonergan, Rhys van Nek; Lachie Shaw, Cadeyrn Neville; Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Tuaina Taii Tualima.

Replacements: Liam Bowron, Cameron Orr, Feao Fotuaika, Lachie Hooper, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Hudson Creighton.

Reunions 

Tonight is a special night for Connacht and Ireland’s Mack Hansen, who returns home to Canberra to face his former side. 

Murray Kinsella is on the ground in Australia for The 42, and he retraced Hansen’s steps through school and club rugby for this fantastic piece.

Everyone knew he was going to be a professional rugby player, but no one knew where the game would take him. 

Hansen came out of school and into the Gungahlin Eagles, which has a strong connection to Daramalan. He also started working as an apprentice electrician. Hansen has previously admitted that he was probably the worst electrician in Canberra.

“I would extend that further than Canberra,” says McGee with a smile.

One other name to keep an eye on is Brumbies winger Ben O’Donnell, who spent two years at Connacht from 2020.

There’s a real feeling that the Lions have now moved beyond the audition phase and tonight swing into rehearsal mode. 

“Everyone’s had a good run at it, it’s about locking things down now and showing our worth as a team”, Andy Farrell tells Sky ahead of kick-off in Canberra. 

“We certainly think it’s pretty close to his Test squad”, says Stephen Larkham, head coach of the Brumbies. 

“If you look at their run-in, they played the Reds a week ago, a pretty strong side went out on the park that day, and now they have a 10-day run-in to the first test against the Wallabies. Probably gives the boys a chance to recover from this game if there are any knocks or bruises, and gives them one more chance to check those combinations they had against the Reds. 

“It’s an Ireland-heavy, Leinster-heavy team, I’ve coached in Ireland before. There is amazing talent not just in the starting team, but those guys coming off the bench as well.” 

Atmosphere building at the GIO Stadium in Canberra. 

T-minus 15 minutes to kick-off. 

Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Fancy a post-match podcast after every Lions game?

We mentioned Murray Kinsella is on the ground in Oz – he will join us for a podcast immediately to give his industry-leading insights after full-time in Canberra today. 

That’s an exclusive benefit for subscribers to The 42. 

If you’re not already on board, you can now get your first month for just €1, which will give you access to four rugby pods per week during this Lions tour! No catch, no long-term commitment — just a euro for the next four weeks and you can see how you find it.

Take a look here if you’re so inclined!

Five minutes to kick-off and Sky bring us the footage of captain Maro Itoje’s pre-match speech in the dressing room, where he’s stressing the need to back up talk with action. 

“Let’s show we are about it, boys. Not just words.” 

The teams walk out into the chilly Canberra air.

One of the slight downsides to being called up to the Lions – you sacrifice a good chunk of the summer. Hats and scarves abound in the stands on a wintry Aussie night. 

Kick-off!

Tonight’s referee is Pierre Brousset of France, and he whistles to get us underway in Canberra. 

We’re off! 

5′ – TRY Brumbies! 

Brumbies 5-0 Lions

Wow, the Brumbies have come flying from the trap. Joe McCarthy and Blair Kinghorn are pinged for offside close to the Lions’ line, Brumbies kick the penalty to touch from where they secure the lineout and then ram-ram-ram at the Lions line until, on the ninth phase, number eight  Tuaina Taii Tualima reaches over a mass of bodies to touch down right on the line! 

The conversion is missed, but what a start by the Brumbies! 

10′ – Brumbies 5-0 Lions

This has been a monstrous early effort from the Brumbies, as the Lions’ sloppiness with ball-in-hand abides. 

First James Lowe is isolated and then swallowed up and pilfered in a counter-ruck down the right wing, and then the Lions’ next attack ends when Bundee Aki miscues a pass to his left and tosses the ball out of play.

Concerning start for the Lions. 

11′ – Brumbies 5-0 Lions

Blair Kinghorn received treatment for an injury a couple of minutes ago and appears to be hobbling badly. Mack Hansen may be set for a very early reunion with his old side. 

TRY Lions! 

13′ – Brumbies 5-5 Lions

Kinghorn continues for now but there’s been a lengthy stoppage here as Ollie Chessum receives medical treatment but he, too, is going to soldier on for now. 

The Brumbies, meanwhile, restart off a scrum but ruin the attacking chance as David Feliuai throws a mad offload that ends up going forward. 

The Lions’ scrum devours the Brumbies and suddenly they have momentum. Gibson-Park fires first to Aki on his right who makes ground, and the Gibson-Park directs play to his left, first to Russell who draws a defender and tosses it to Chessum, who has recovered sufficiently to touch down in the corner! 

Russell sees his conversion come off the post. 

18′ – Brumbies 5-5 Lions

The Lions appear to have diluted some of the ambition in their play in favour of punchier carries, perhaps in a tune-up for the first Test. 

Their discipline is undermining them, though, with a promising attacking position undone by Ellis Genge, as he flies off his feet at a ruck. Moments later, Tom Curry is pinged for offside. The Lions have conceded four penalties in the opening 18 minutes, with the Brumbies yet to infringe. 

20′ – Brumbies 5-5 Lions 

Dan Sheehan is Not Your Regular Hooker Dept: A mega step and fend by the right touchline from his own 22 gets the Lions up the pitch. Ends with the Brumbies finally infringing and a line-out within striking range for the Lions.

22′ – Brumbies 5-5 Lions 

Stunning scrambling from Andy Muirhead denies the Lions a second try!

The Lions work their way to 10 metres out and in front of the post, at which point the Brumbies concede a penalty. The Lions hold a brief conclave on whether to take a scrum or go for the corner: they take the latter option. 

Sheehan throws deep to Itoje, and the Lions sweep across the pitch through Russell and then Kinghorn, who then goes left to Lowe who is about to crash over the line until he is clattered by Muirhead, who drags Lowe to the ground and somehow gets his leg in between ball and grass.

No try for the Lions, but they are taking charge of this game now, led by their half-back partnership. 

24′ – Brumbies 5-5 Lions  

More brilliant defence from the Brumbies. Their line speed anytime Russell comes into view is ferocious, and eventually they isolate Gibson-Park at the breakdown and his counterpart, Ryan Lonergan takes the plaudits for doing enough to dislodge the ball. 

26′ – Brumbies 5-5 Lions 

Kinghorn’s race is finally run – he is replaced by Marcus Smith. 

He’s immediately tested in the air by the Brumbies, but he takes the ball cleanly and under pressure. 

Kinghorn, by the way, looked distraught and almost resigned leaving the field. That’s a worry for Andy Farrell with the first Test hovering into view. 

TRY Lions! 

28′ – Brumbies 5-12 Lions

James Lowe won’t be denied twice! 

Another sweeping Lions move, who are now clicking into gear. It’s another sweeping right-to-left attack, with the ball going through the hands of McCarthy, Russell, Aki, Ringrose, Sheehan, Conan and finally Lowe, who touches down in the left-corner. 

Russell splits the posts with his conversion. 

James Lowe scores his first try of the Lions series as Andy Farrell's side take the lead ✅ pic.twitter.com/uMFxQb8MGM

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 9, 2025

35′ – Brumbies 5-12 Lions 

Sloppy, sloppy Lions.

The Brumbies get some territory and possession for the first time since the opening few minutes. The Lions defence stands up, and so scrum-half Lonergan kicks in behind and gives the Lions a line-out, seven metres from their own try-line. 

Sheehan then takes a risk: he tosses the ball very deep, it kicks up off the turf which Conan does brilliantly to gather, only for the Lions to concede a penalty moments later. 

Now the Brumbies have the put-in to the line-out!

TRY Brumbies!

36′ – Brumbies 10-12 Lions

And the Lions are punished! Playing with advantage from the line-out, the Brumbies push things wide right, as a terrific long, arcing pass finds winger Corey Toole in splendid isolation on the left wing, from where he crosses easily.

Lonergan can’t level the game from the conversion. 

TRY Lions! 

40′ – Brumbies 10-19

Fine Margins Dept: Smith kicks into space behind the Brumbies defence but the ball hits the flag and bounces into the endzone, rather than touch. 

But the Brumbies take their restart short before the clock hits red, and the Lions make the most of their last chance from within the Brumbies half. McCarthy shows great hands to offload to Ringrose, from where the Lions motor on: Russell fixes a defender, pops the ball to Curry, who offloads to Marcus Smith, who touches down. 

Russell converts, and the Brumbies will be kicking themselves. 

HT: Brumbies 10-19 Lions 

That’s a comfy half-time lead for the Lions. The Brumbies have been fiercely committed in defence and ruthless in attack, while the Lions have reduced – if not eliminated – the sloppiness that marred the weekend win against the Waratahs. 

Some of their attacking game has been slick, and it’s been a very good first half for Gibson-Park, Russell, and Aki. 

Their biggest concern will be the injury to Blair Kinghorn, with Andy Farrell’s options at 15 already denuded. 

We’ll be back in a few minutes.

We are back underway!

42′ – Brumbies 10-19 Lions 

The Lions begin on the front-foot thanks to big carries from Jack Conan and Tadhg Furlong, but Tom Curry then plays a terrible offload right into Ben O’Donnell’s arms, with Curry then pinged a few phases later as the Lions are suddenly forced into defensive mode. 

The Brumbies haven’t been taking three all night, so they kick for the corner, but this time Itoje rises in the air and secures possession for the Lions. 

TRY Lions!

46′ – Brumbies 10- Lions 26

Whatever concerns the Lions have, the scrum is not one of them. They win another penalty around the halfway line as they demolish the Brumbies scrum.

Russell kicks the penalty to touch, from where they indulge their attacking platform: Ringrose sells a dummy in midfield and darts through a gap and then offloads to Smith off his right shoulder: Smith kicks through and Ringrose runs onto the ball to touch it down. 

Russell adds the extras. 

TRY Brumbies! 

Brumbies 17-26 Lions 

Yikes. Freeman covers a Toole kick into backfield really well, mopping up possession and tosses the ball at close-range to Gibson-Park, who inexplicably fumbles, with Freeman reacting quickly to catch the ball and dive onto the ground. 

It gives the Brumbies a five-metre scrum, which they lock down. Lonergan goes left to Muirhead, who passes to Hudson Creighton to touch down!

The Brumbies are not backing down. 

54′ – Brumbies 17-26 Lions 

That was the first Lions scrum to struggle, and props Furlong and Genge were replaced by Will Stuart and Andrew Porter immediately before packing down. 

Gibson-Park meanwhile makes another handling error, knocking on with Stuart getting in his way within the Brumbies’ 22. 

56′ – Brumbies 17-26 Lions 

Josh van der Flier is on for the Lions, in place of Curry. Whatever Test jerseys are up for grabs, it feels like seven is one of them.

57′ – Brumbies 17-26 Lions

The Lions secure possession from an attacking line-out and maul their way to the Brumbies line, with a mass of bodies eventually collapsing over the line. The ball – held by van der Flier – is in there somewhere, but the referee believes it was held up. 

The TMO takes his sweet, sweet time can’t find anything to contradict the on-field call. 

Andy Farrell gives a baffled kind of shrug in the coach’s box.

58′ – Brumbies 17-26 Lions

Another change for the Lions – Henry Pollock is on for Joe McCarthy. Ollie Chessum moves from six into the second row.

62′ – Brumbies 17-29 Lions

Lions get advantage close to the Brumbies line: Smith tries an ambitious chip and chase but overcooks the ball over the endline. 

The Lions have a penalty right in front of the posts, but Russell, for the first time today points to the post to tag on three points. 

If this is the Lions’ Test match team, that’s some Test match arithmetic. 

Meanwhile, Ronan Kelleher replaces Dan Sheehan.

Mack Hansen is on to face his old side in Canberra, replacing James Lowe. 

66′ – Brumbies 17-29 Lions

The Lions have a scrum on the halfway line: they’ve done a good job of making the most of these set-piece opportunities today. 

They cycle through phases before Hansen offloads to Pollock, who eats up ground with another quicksilver break along the right touchline. The Brumbies get pinged for offside, and Russell kicks for the corner when they can’t make the most of their advantage.

TRY Lions! 

68′ – Brumbies 17-36 Lions

Easy as you like, and van der Flier won’t be denied again. 

Itoje takes the line-out and the Lions maul over from close range, and it’s the Irish backrow who touches down for his first try of the series. Russell draws his conversion between the posts.

Farrell continue to empty his bench with Alex Mitchell on at scrum-half in place of Gibson-Park. 

TRY Brumbies!

75′ – Brumbies 24-36 Lions 

The Brumbies turn the screw on the Lions defence, which holds relatively firm, albeit while infringing. With advantage, the Brumbies go wide to Toole, but he is stopped by a surging tackle by Hansen. 

The Brumbies return for their close-range penalty and choose to tap and drive, and they manage to force their way over and through the posts.

That means a handy conversion. Farrell won’t be happy at leaking four tries.

79′ – Brumbies 24-36 Lions

The Lions’ handling errors will not go away: now Itoje knocks on with the try line in sight. That’s a tenth handling error for the Lions today.

Full-time - Brumbies 24-36 Lions

A late yellow card for Tom Hooper for a deliberate knock-on, as the clock goes red. 

Russell kicks for the corner, and the Lions once again make good use of their set piece, with Hansen coming up with a big carry before Chessum eventually muscles his way across the line. The referee called try, but the TMO runs through the showreel and shows its held up on the line, which sums up the scale of the Brumbies’ effort.

The Lions win, and showed an improvement on Saturday without truly stepping up to the level needed against the Wallabies. 

They mixed rock-solid set-pieces and some slick phase play with a couple of poor handling errors and breakdown inaccuracy. 

Performance-wise, all of Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Conan, Gibson-Park, Russell, Ringrose, and Aki likely nailed down their starting spots against the Wallabies on Saturday week. 

There is still work to do, though, while some sweat will be spilled over Blair Kinghorn’s first-half injury. 

Thanks for following – Murray Kinsella’s report follows shortly, while we’ll have all the best reaction from Canberra, too. 

Bye!