THE BRITISH AND Irish Lions have published the speech they received from boxing legend Katie Taylor as they geared up for their series-deciding victory over Australia in Melbourne last Saturday.
Taylor’s video address to the Lions squad was hailed after the tourists’ series-sealing victory by her fellow Bray native Jack Conan, who explained that the boxer’s sentiments had “really hit home” with squad members from all four composite countries.
Taylor’s speech, as well as the context around it, are featured in the latest episode of the Lions’ behind-the-scenes YouTube series, ‘The Ultimate Test’, which documents the lead-up to the second Test against the Wallabies at the MCG.
With his squad assembled in a meeting room, head coach Andy Farrell sets the scene by referring to Taylor’s own three-match series against Amanda Serrano, and how each boxer conjured virtually a career-best performance on the biggest night of their lives when their trilogy began at Madison Square Garden in 2022.
"Prepare to win by skill, but be ready to win by will."
Thanks for sharing your inspiring message with the boys, @KatieTaylor 🙏
Tap the link below to watch the latest episode of The Ultimate Test 🦁#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 30, 2025
“You can think of many different ways people have been able to manoeuvre their way through this situation,” Farrell tells his squad. “Remember before the first Test, how we referenced a prizefighter and what it took to put everything on the line…
“Well, I was telling the story of two prizefighters that 100% put it all on the line, in front of millions. Serrano came out and said, ‘We’ve made it, Katie. Look what we’ve done.’
“Amazing, headline event at Madison Square Garden. What happened was amazing. Katie’s smiling while still in the zone. Incredible, lads. You’ve seen fighters coming in sweating and not ready to do their job, but this was two fighters ready.
“The fight was voted the best fight of the year in 2022, certainly 100% the best fight in the history of women’s boxing. If you were honest, it had a shot at the title of being the best fight ever, full stop.”
Farrell then turns to the screen, where Taylor — fresh off her third victory over Serrano back at MSG — delivers a speech in which she explains how she overcomes “performance anxiety” to deliver when it matters most.
“I’m recording this off the back of the last leg of a trilogy of title fights against Amanda Serrano,” Taylor says in her pre-recorded message. “I’m aware that you’re in the heat of a trilogy of your own.
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“I want to share with you two quick thoughts that have helped me get the best out of myself on those big nights.
“The first is simply acknowledging the privilege of being part of big games like this.
“There is no right to win. It must be earned every game. Every fight, every tackle, every minute.
“The second thought I want to share has calmed my nerves,” Taylor adds.
“Every athlete knows that there are so many variables on any given day. And for reasons I can’t fully control, sometimes I feel sharp and strong and my timing is perfect, and sometimes it isn’t. And this can lead to performance anxiety.
“But regardless of those things, some of which are hard to control, I know that even if it isn’t pretty, I am 100% confident that I’ll go to the trenches if necessary. That’s a controllable. That’s a matter of will.
So, here’s my message: prepare to win by skill but be ready to win by will.
“In both our sports, it’s often the case that the biggest will to win takes the spoils.
“So, I hope all of the things you have practiced and all of the tactics you have contemplated go your way,” Taylor adds. “I hope all the performances are worthy of your skills, but if not, I’m confident that your will and your courage will be enough. And after all, what else could it mean to be a Lion?
“We’re with you all the way. Best of luck and God bless.”
Taylor and Amanda Serrano were the source of inspiration for the Lions. Gary Carr / INPHO
Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO
Farrell then implores his players to take a minute to absorb Taylor’s words, describing the undisputed light-welterweight champion as “someone who put it all on the line”.
“That’s what it should mean to you to be a Lions 2025 squad member, team member, teammate, who is unbelievably proud of himself,” the head coach adds.
After the Lions ultimately squeezed home against the Wallabies with Hugo Keenan’s last-minute try at the MCG, Test back row Jack Conan revealed that the squad had heard from Taylor on game-week and said that the sentiments in her message had “summed up” the Lions’ imperfect but perseverant effort against their hosts.
“We had a video from Katie Taylor earlier in the week and it was unbelievably poignant and powerful,” Conan said.
“It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but be ready to win by will. I think that was something that summed up today massively because we were not at our best at all.”
Jack Conan celebrating the Lions' second-Test victory with his wife, Ali Cunningham. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Leinster and Ireland star Conan, who has now started five Lions Tests, has become a Bray sporting legend in his own right, and the recently-turned 33-year-old said that Taylor’s attitude had struck a chord beyond the sizeable Irish contingent in Farrell’s squad.
“Someone to come from the town I’m from… I’m incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well,” Conan said.
“She’s gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world. And to be such a superstar, and be just incredibly humble and driven and knock it out of herself, is something that we kind of leant on as well, because we knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it today in spades.
“Lads absolutely loved it, and it meant a lot to me being from the same place and seeing her on the world stage. But I think everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy, it resonated with everyone.
“It was unbelievably poignant. It was class. It really hit home for us.”
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'Be ready to win by will' - Lions reveal Katie Taylor's powerful speech to squad before second Test
THE BRITISH AND Irish Lions have published the speech they received from boxing legend Katie Taylor as they geared up for their series-deciding victory over Australia in Melbourne last Saturday.
Taylor’s video address to the Lions squad was hailed after the tourists’ series-sealing victory by her fellow Bray native Jack Conan, who explained that the boxer’s sentiments had “really hit home” with squad members from all four composite countries.
Taylor’s speech, as well as the context around it, are featured in the latest episode of the Lions’ behind-the-scenes YouTube series, ‘The Ultimate Test’, which documents the lead-up to the second Test against the Wallabies at the MCG.
With his squad assembled in a meeting room, head coach Andy Farrell sets the scene by referring to Taylor’s own three-match series against Amanda Serrano, and how each boxer conjured virtually a career-best performance on the biggest night of their lives when their trilogy began at Madison Square Garden in 2022.
“You can think of many different ways people have been able to manoeuvre their way through this situation,” Farrell tells his squad. “Remember before the first Test, how we referenced a prizefighter and what it took to put everything on the line…
“Well, I was telling the story of two prizefighters that 100% put it all on the line, in front of millions. Serrano came out and said, ‘We’ve made it, Katie. Look what we’ve done.’
“Amazing, headline event at Madison Square Garden. What happened was amazing. Katie’s smiling while still in the zone. Incredible, lads. You’ve seen fighters coming in sweating and not ready to do their job, but this was two fighters ready.
“The fight was voted the best fight of the year in 2022, certainly 100% the best fight in the history of women’s boxing. If you were honest, it had a shot at the title of being the best fight ever, full stop.”
Farrell then turns to the screen, where Taylor — fresh off her third victory over Serrano back at MSG — delivers a speech in which she explains how she overcomes “performance anxiety” to deliver when it matters most.
“I’m recording this off the back of the last leg of a trilogy of title fights against Amanda Serrano,” Taylor says in her pre-recorded message. “I’m aware that you’re in the heat of a trilogy of your own.
“I want to share with you two quick thoughts that have helped me get the best out of myself on those big nights.
“The first is simply acknowledging the privilege of being part of big games like this.
“There is no right to win. It must be earned every game. Every fight, every tackle, every minute.
“The second thought I want to share has calmed my nerves,” Taylor adds.
“Every athlete knows that there are so many variables on any given day. And for reasons I can’t fully control, sometimes I feel sharp and strong and my timing is perfect, and sometimes it isn’t. And this can lead to performance anxiety.
“But regardless of those things, some of which are hard to control, I know that even if it isn’t pretty, I am 100% confident that I’ll go to the trenches if necessary. That’s a controllable. That’s a matter of will.
“In both our sports, it’s often the case that the biggest will to win takes the spoils.
“So, I hope all of the things you have practiced and all of the tactics you have contemplated go your way,” Taylor adds. “I hope all the performances are worthy of your skills, but if not, I’m confident that your will and your courage will be enough. And after all, what else could it mean to be a Lion?
“We’re with you all the way. Best of luck and God bless.”
Farrell then implores his players to take a minute to absorb Taylor’s words, describing the undisputed light-welterweight champion as “someone who put it all on the line”.
“That’s what it should mean to you to be a Lions 2025 squad member, team member, teammate, who is unbelievably proud of himself,” the head coach adds.
After the Lions ultimately squeezed home against the Wallabies with Hugo Keenan’s last-minute try at the MCG, Test back row Jack Conan revealed that the squad had heard from Taylor on game-week and said that the sentiments in her message had “summed up” the Lions’ imperfect but perseverant effort against their hosts.
“We had a video from Katie Taylor earlier in the week and it was unbelievably poignant and powerful,” Conan said.
“It spoke about being prepared to win with skill, but be ready to win by will. I think that was something that summed up today massively because we were not at our best at all.”
Leinster and Ireland star Conan, who has now started five Lions Tests, has become a Bray sporting legend in his own right, and the recently-turned 33-year-old said that Taylor’s attitude had struck a chord beyond the sizeable Irish contingent in Farrell’s squad.
“Someone to come from the town I’m from… I’m incredibly proud of where I come from and I know Katie is as well,” Conan said.
“She’s gone on to achieve incredible feats in the boxing world. And to be such a superstar, and be just incredibly humble and driven and knock it out of herself, is something that we kind of leant on as well, because we knew that Australia are a hugely proud nation and they showed it today in spades.
“Lads absolutely loved it, and it meant a lot to me being from the same place and seeing her on the world stage. But I think everyone loved it, even the English and the Scottish boys and the Welsh boy, it resonated with everyone.
“It was unbelievably poignant. It was class. It really hit home for us.”
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