The itinerary for the nine-match tour in 2025 was announced last week. It will be self-contained with no stop-off en route by the tourists to visit one of the South Seas islands, or a start in Hong Kong as they did before their last trip to Australia in 2013.
That tour was hugely significant for the Lions whose future was coming under threat following the unsuccessful and undignified visit to Australia in 2001, the humbling in New Zealand four years later and a third straight series loss in South Africa in 2009.
The series was 1-1 going into the decider in Sydney. Head coach Warren Gatland sent the Emerald Isle into uproar when he dropped Brian O’Driscoll, vindicated when the Lions roared home 41-16 with the Ireland centre’s replacement, Jamie Roberts, scoring the last of their four tries.
It was Gatland’s first tour as head coach having been in charge of the forwards in 2009. He led the Lions to New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa two years ago, but Ireland's Andy Farrell is the favourite to be appointed for Australia.
The Lions will start, as usual, in Perth where they will face Western Force at the end of June. Unlike previous trips, they will be at full strength because the Premiership clubs have brought forward the date of their play-off final to ensure all the squad will take a full part in training before departure.
The Reds and Waratahs follow in Brisbane and Sydney respectively before the relatively short trip to face the Brumbies in Canberra.The final Saturday match before the Test series is against an invitational Australian and New Zealand XV - shades of the Anzac match at the end of the 1989 tour - at Adelaide Oval, a venue not often used for rugby but which staged two matches in the 2003 World Cup.
This story is from the July 23, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 23, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
