British and Irish Lions v Argentina live: Latest updates from opening tour match in Dublin
After four years of waiting, the British and Irish Lions tour is finally here, with Andy Farrell 's side beginning their 10-match itinerary by breaking new ground in Dublin.
Argentina are the opening opponents for Farrell's squad as the Lions play on Irish soil for the first time as their preparations for the three-match Test series against the Wallabies intensify. The 38-man group will head to Australia this weekend but first face a tricky test at the Aviva Stadium against a Pumas side packed with quality, who will be looking to cause a shock as their predecessors so nearly managed to in a 25-all draw in Cardiff before the 2005 tour of New Zealand.
Like many tour curtain-raisers, that game showcased the challenges a squad drawn from four unions faces in getting up to speed, though Farrell will nonetheless be hoping for a strong start. For the 23 selected, led by Maro Itoje, this is a first chance to stake a claim for Test selection as they look to thrill a close to capacity crowd.
Lions vs Argentina live
British and Irish Lions take on Argentina in opening tour fixture | Live on Sky Sports with kick off at 8pm
Encounter in Dublin marks first time Lions have played on Irish soil
Andy Farrell's squad head to Australia this weekend ahead of three Tests against the Wallabies
Lions receive Tadhg Furlong fitness boost as team revealed for Argentina curtain-raiser
There was good news for the Lions as Andy Farrell revealed his team on Wednesday with prop Tadhg Furlong passed fit to feature off the bench having been a slight injury concern for the tour.
Lions get Tadhg Furlong fitness boost as team revealed for Argentina clash
The Ireland prop has been battling a calf injury ahead of the tour
Harry Latham-Coyle20 June 2025 17:00
British and Irish Lions vs Argentina
The Lions tour is officially here! For the first time, the quadrennial tourists are set to play on Irish soil as they begin a 10-match itinerary with a clash against Argentina in Dublin, and the Pumas are likely to provide a tricky test for a squad still getting to know one another.
Andy Farrell will be hoping for a strong start - can any of his opening 23 really stake a claim for Test selection? Kick off at the Aviva Stadium is at 8pm BST.
Harry Latham-Coyle19 June 2025 08:26
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
41 minutes ago
- BBC News
Swindon forward Drinan agrees new two-year deal
Swindon Town forward Aaron Drinan has signed a new two-year contract with the League Two 27-year-old joined Swindon from Leyton Orient in February 2024, and has scored seven goals in 51 appearances since his move to the County began his career at League of Ireland side Cork City before joining Ipswich Town in 2018 where he scored once in 24 appearances and was sent out on loan to Sutton United, Waterford, and Ayr Irishman joined Orient in 2021 and was part of their League Two title-winning side in the 2022–23 season."I'm really pleased to be extending my stay at Swindon. I've enjoyed every minute here, and I believe we're building something special," he told the club website, external.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Singer shouts ‘Free Palestine' before first match of Lions tour
An Irish singer shouted 'Free Palestine' during a performance before the rugby match between the British & Irish Lions and Argentina. Cian Ducrot, the Irish singer-songwriter, began his set at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with his hit I'll be Waiting and finished his second song as players from both sides were returning to the changing rooms. Just as they left the pitch, the 27-year-old called out 'Free Palestine' in place of a lyric. Ducrot's pro-Palestine protest is the latest seen in sport. Other recent examples include a Palestine flag flown over Allianz Stadium by a drone during the Six Nations game between England and Italy in March. The group responsible, Palestine Action, said it targeted the match because Allianz insures Elbit Systems, one of Israel's largest weapons manufacturers. Palestine Action had also targeted Turnberry, Donald Trump's Scottish golf course, digging up greens, spray-painting the clubhouse and daubing 'Gaza is not for sale' on the course in 10ft-high graffiti. In football, Paris St-Germain fans held up a 'Free Palestine' banner last November, while a female spectator threw leaflets with the same message onto the court at the Australian Open match between Alex Zverev and Cameron Norrie in January. Ducrot is a Grammy-award winning singer who grew up in Cork. His protest comes two days after Liam O'Hanna, an Irish-language rapper, was released on bail after appearing in court on a terror charge related to his support of Hezbollah.
BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
JP McManus to set record straight over costs that led to International Rugby Experience dispute
Limerick horse racing mogul and philanthropist, JP McManus, is to address the Mayor of Limerick and elected representatives at a closed door meeting at Limerick City and County Council headquarters over why the Council snubbed a 'gift' from him of a €30 million premier building and €1.2 million in funding last year. McManus is understood to be deeply hurt by the joint local authority's controversial decision to decline his offer of the International Rugby Experience (IRE) building, O'Connell Street, Limerick City, as well as funding for operating costs, and he will aim to set the record straight over costs associated with the not for profit charitable venture. Advertisement A difference of opinion between the Council and Mr McManus around the costs of operating the IRE led to the deal falling flat. The red-brick vaulted ceiling monolith, built to honour the global oval ball game, which was red-carpet launched by a host of rugby stars in 2023, has been gathering dust since its shock closure last December. 50 people were employed at the IRE which delivered an estimated €7.8 million boost to the local economy and 60,000 visitors in the 12 months it was open. Mr McManus who secured the 2027 Ryder Cup for Limerick at his five-star Adare Manor Hotel, is to address the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, senior executives and elected representatives, at an in-camera briefing at Council Headquarters, Dooradoyle, next Thursday. Advertisement Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea who has been critical of the Council's decision to decline Mr McManus's 'generous offer', said: 'The gift horse is still there and the Council is still looking at it in the mouth.' 'My view is that it is a fantastic facility for Limerick and certain commitments were made by the Council and it seems to me they weren't honoured, it's a tragedy to see it closed down now. 'In fairness to JP, he has put his money where his mouth is, he invested in it and developed it to a magnificent standard, and in my opinion, there is an onus on the council to utilise it in the interests of the people not just locally, but nationally,' added Deputy O'Dea. Local Labour councillor, Joe Leddin, argued, that while he accepted the Council executive, led by Mayor Moran, had bona fide concerns about the cost of running the IRE into the future, the planned meeting with Mr McManus Ono Thursday was a 'welcome' development. Advertisement 'To be fair to JP, he expended €30 million+ on the acquisition of the old building, the design and rebuild and operations, and its unfortunate now to see the facility closed in the heart of the city. 'I along with most, if not all, councillors would like to see the building used for something, but we have to be cognisant that councillors are in charge of public monies and therein lies the challenge,' said Cllr Leddin. Last May, the IRE said that Mr McManus's 'entirely debt free, gift' to the Council to run the IRE until 2028 and then, if it wished, to use the building 'for any civic purpose' thereafter, had been agreed with the local authority when Heads of Terms were signed by both parties in March 2024. The IRE explained it was 'unable to advance' the proposed deal with the Council, leading to the IRE's closure. Advertisement The IRE stated it's thanks to Irish rugby legends Paul O'Connell and Keith Wood for their 'fantastic assistance' in getting the not for profit charitable venture off the ground. In response, Limerick City Council said it was 'disappointed' with the IRE's decision to close its doors, and it argued that it had made 'very effort' to secure the deal. The Council added that it was 'unable to secure a viable path forward' after finding it would have had to find 'substantial operational and capital funding' to continue the project. A counter offer from Mayor Moran to use €300,000 of his Mayoral Fund to help keep the facility open for the next three years, was rejected by the IRE. IRE chief executive Barry Hannon claimed that figures presented to councillors were 'over-inflated and were not included in the heads of agreement' which both parties had agreed in in principal in August 2023. It's understood Mr McManus will address councillors about his disappointment at how the deal has turned sour, and will advise councillors about what he believes is the cost of running the building going forward.
