The British and Irish Lions are set to break new ground on Friday, June 20, 2025. They will play Rugby World Cup semi-finalists Argentina at the Aviva Stadium, in what will be the very first time the Lions have ever played a match in Ireland. This match will also be the first time Andy Farrell coaches the Lions. He is back on familiar ground, hoping to guide the team to a much-needed win after their 2021 series loss to South Africa.
This warm-up game offers Lions fans a unique chance to be part of the famous “Sea of Red” right at home. It is a fantastic opportunity for supporters to send the squad off on a high before they head to Australia for the 2025 Tour. It also allows them to experience a game without having to travel all the way to the Southern Hemisphere.
Let’s closely look at the match’s preview, team stats, and past clashes, along with its odds.
Quick Facts
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Day and date: Friday, June 20
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (BST)
Referee: James Doleman
Understanding the Lions Tour
A key defining characteristic of the Lions tours is their quadrennial (every four years) rotation. The team undertakes a tour to one of three major Southern Hemisphere rugby nations: Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. This rotation ensures that each host nation experiences the spectacle of a Lions tour on a regular cycle.
This game against Argentina presents a crucial opportunity for the squad, comprising players who are usually rivals, to build cohesion and gel as a team. It also allows the coach to test various combinations, assess player form, and refine selections for the upcoming Test series.
While played in Dublin, this warm-up match, including later ones in Australia, aids in acclimatisation and helps build momentum for the demanding tour schedule. Basically, the Argentina clash is an important preparatory step for the Lions to build their unique team identity, test their systems, and allow players to compete for a spot in the main Test lineup.
The Lions Team Preview
Lions Last 6
- Aug 7, 2021: South Africa 19-16 Lions
- Jul 31, 2021: South Africa 27-9 Lions
- Jul 24, 2021: South Africa 17-22 Lions
- Jul 17, 2021: Stormers 3-49 Lions
- Jul 14, 2021: South Africa 17-13 Lions
- Jul 10, 2021: Sharks 31-71 Lions
Squad
Forwards:
- Tadhg Beirne
- Ollie Chessum
- Jack Conan
- Luke Cowan-Dickie
- Scott Cummings
- Tom Curry
- Ben Earl
- Zander Fagerson
- Tadhg Furlong
- Ellis Genge
- Maro Itoje
- Ronan Kelleher
- Joe McCarthy
- Jac Morgan
- Henry Pollock
- Andrew Porter
- James Ryan
- Dan Sheehan
- Pierre Schoeman
- Will Stuart
- Josh van der Flier
Backs:
- Bundee Aki
- Elliot Daly
- Tommy Freeman
- Jamison Gibson-Park
- Mack Hansen
- Huw Jones
- Hugo Keenan
- Blair Kinghorn
- James Lowe
- Alex Mitchell
- Garry Ringrose
- Finn Russell
- Fin Smith
- Marcus Smith
- Sione Tuipulotu
- Duhan van der Merwe
- Tomos Williams
Maro Itoje has been named captain of the British & Irish Lions Men’s Tour to Australia in 2025 by head coach Andy Farrell. Itoje, set to embark on his third Lions Tour, will lead the 38-man squad that was unveiled for the very first time in front of over 2,000 fans at indigo at The O2 in London.
For Tadhg Beirne, this tour is a chance to step into a more central role, having become one of the world’s top players since his less integral part in the 2021 Lions tour. Meanwhile, it is a homecoming for Australian-born Mack Hansen, whose season has been hampered by injuries after a successful stint in Ireland.
Despite recent challenges, Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell values Hansen’s creative play and unique personality, which can be crucial for team morale during a long tour. At just 20 years old, Henry Pollock, the Northampton Saints back row, is the youngest player in the touring squad.
Argentina Team Preview
Argentina Last 6
- Nov 22, 2024: France 37-23 Argentina
- Nov 15, 2024: Ireland 22-19 Argentina
- Nov 9, 2024: Italy 18-50 Argentina
- Sep 28, 2024: South Africa 48-7 Argentina
- Sep 21, 2024: Lions 29-28 South Africa
- Sep 7, 2024: Lions 67-27 Australia
Squad
Forwards:
- Luciano Asevedo
- Bautista Bernasconi
- Francisco Coria Marchetti
- Pedro Delgado
- Juan Martín González
- Benjamín Grondona
- Santiago Grondona
- Pablo Matera
- Franco Molina
- Julián Montoya
- Joaquín Moro
- Joaquín Oviedo
- Leonel Oviedo
- Pedro Rubiolo
- Joel Sclavi
- Mayco Vivas
- Boris Wenger
Backs:
- Tomás Albornoz
- Simón Benítez Cruz
- Santiago Carreras
- Lucio Cinti
- Santiago Cordero
- Benjamín Elizalde
- Gonzalo García
- Rodrigo Isgró
- Ignacio Mendy
- Matías Moroni
- Agustín Moyano
- Santiago Pernas
- Justo Piccardo
- Nicolás Roger
- Faustino Sánchez Valarolo
Argentina’s Head Coach, Felipe Contepomi, faces selection limitations for the Lions match due to it falling outside the official international window. With the Top 14 playoffs underway, he is unable to call upon key players from Toulouse and Bordeaux, such as Efraín Elías, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Cruz Mallía, and Guido Petti, along with several others involved in French club rugby.
This situation has forced Contepomi to heavily rely on talent from Super Rugby Americas, with eight uncapped players making the 32-man squad. Additionally, established stars like Matías Alemanno, Emiliano Boffelli, and Tomás Lavanini are absent due to injury or rest.
Despite these absences, Contepomi still has access to several experienced players. Captain Julián Montoya will lead the side, joined by other England-based regulars including Juan Martín González, Pedro Rubiolo, and Santiago Carreras. Pablo Matera, Matías Moroni, Joel Sclavi, and Joaquín Oviedo are also available, as their club seasons have concluded.
Head-to-Head History
- May 23, 2005: Lions 25-25 Argentina
- Aug 16, 1936: Argentina 0-23 Lions
- Aug 21, 1927: Argentina 0-43 Lions
- Aug 14, 1927: Argentina 3-34 Lions
- Aug 7, 1927: Argentina 0-46 Lions
- Jul 31, 1927: Argentina 0-37 Lions
- Jun 12, 1910: Argentina 3-28 Lions
Venue: Aviva Stadium
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland’s national stadium, is the primary venue for major rugby matches and the Irish national team. It stands on the site of the former Lansdowne Road Stadium, which was demolished in 2007.
Construction of the €410 million stadium, designed by Populous, began shortly after and was completed in early 2010, officially opening on May 14, 2010. The stadium has hosted notable football events, including a friendly between a League of Ireland side and Manchester United in 2010, and the 2011 Europa League final between FC Porto and SC Braga.
It was initially selected for Euro 2020 but was later removed due to COVID-19 spectator uncertainties. A distinctive feature of Aviva Stadium is its curvilinear design, shaped to ensure sunlight reaches surrounding residential areas. The stadium boasts 10,000 premium seats and 1,300 corporate box seats.
Betting Odds
At 7bet, you can find bets and offers for various betting markets for the Lions Tour 2025. You can check out our Lions Tour betting page for more information. Ensure that you understand and study the The Lions vs Argentina betting markets and check the odds properly before placing any bets on the match.
How to Watch The Lions vs Argentina (Lions Tour)
Viewers in the UK can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, the official broadcast partner for the British & Irish Lions. Subscribers will also have access to a live stream via Sky Go.
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