Brumbies vs the BIL

[Bada-Bing!]

British and Irish Lions 2025: Farrell names team for Brumbies

Maro Itoje returns to captain the British and Irish Lions against the Brumbies on Wednesday as Andy Farrell's Test team appears to take shape.

www.bbc.co.uk

[h2]Lions team to face ACT Brumbies [/h2]British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollocl, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Replace Furlong with Bealham and thats the test squad imo

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

Interesting. I was expecting the test team to be given a runout and a Morgan/VDF 6 & 7 pairing given a go. There’s a few in this I wasn’t expecting

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah that's looking very close

I'd have Bealham, Morgan and Tuipolotu starting, F.Smith and H.Jones on the bench, for the tests but very strong side

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeah that's looking very close

I'd have Bealham, Morgan and Tuipolotu starting, F.Smith and H.Jones on the bench, for the tests but very strong side

I feel Marcus makes more sense as a bench option than F.Smith
Russell will likely play 80 minutes if stays fit

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I feel Marcus makes more sense as a bench option than F.Smith
Russell will likely play 80 minutes if stays fit

Agree on the latter, but just don't think M.Smith should be viewed anywhere near the fullback position

Mitchell/F.Smith/Jones covers everything but wing, and Kinghorn can cover that from the pitch - and if they did sub Russell I think Mitchell/Fin are a much better combo to come on than Mitchell/Marcus

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ooof didn't realise this clashes with the deciding State of Origin game...

Don't disagree but feel Farrell clearly views him as a 15

 

[General Melchett]

I wouldn't have Curry, Hansen or Furlong in the test 23 based on their performances so far. Would also go with Huwpolotu as I think they have performed better and have that established understanding with Russell but not surprised if Farrell goes with his Irish midfield.

Thought Earl and Cummings were the Lions's two best performers on Saturday and would have been worthy of spots on the bench. Pollock has X factor with his speed off the mark and ability to break but Earl showed great physicality with his carrying on Saturday.

Wouldn't be shocked if Farrell doesn't reveal his hand completely and may spring a surprise or two when naming the test 23.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I feel it's unfair to say Huwpolotu have performed better when this is Aki and Ringrose's first game of the tour together
Cummings I fancy on the bench

 

[General Melchett]

I feel it's unfair to say Huwpolotu have performed better when this is Aki and Ringrose's first game of the tour together
Cummings I fancy on the bench

Fair - I meant based on their overall performances on the pitch so far. I don't think Aki & Ringrose are nailed yet and that Weds is their chance to match or beat what we saw on Saturday. I feel Huwpolotu on Saturday has been the best performance from a centre pairing so far followed by Sione & Ringrose which was decent. Aki & Sione and Aki & Jones doesn't work for me.

Cummings can also play 6 which I feel makes him a great option for a bench spot. Someone doesn't want to give locks POTM because I thought Itoje and Cummings both deserved it in the last two games.

 

[Which Tyler]

Hopefully just a final chance for the Irish centres to click with Russell - if they do, then Farrell has a headache, but so far on tour, I'd put both Scottish centres ahead of both Irish, even without their familiarity with Finn (and Kinghorn).

Otherwise it feels like a straight contest between Stuart and Furlong to see who starts, and between Curry and Chessum to see who partners JvdF.
Off the bench, a chance for Marcus to show that he's not a wasted pick in the squad

 

[Grizwald]

Agree it's close to the test team. Furlong looked better at the weekend and feels like (don't know if that's true ChatGpt didn't have a clue other than Furlong who's had 71 mins). It doesn't feel like Stuart has had a huge amount of minutes but from what I've seen it feels like Bealam is the form tight head. The ones I'm not sure on is the backrow and centres. Tom Curry needs a big game if he's to make the test 23 let alone start, might still see one of Chessum or Berine at 6 the latter hasn't really impressed and had plenty of minutes. Connan probably has the 8 shirt but then I don't think you need a lock/6 hybrid if he does start. I reckon Morgan is probably the form 7.

On the centres can't really judge until Aki and Ringrose get a run out together with Russell.

Cracking team anyhow, like the look of the back 3.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ben O'Donnell, 13 Ollie Sapsford, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Lington Ieli
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachie Hooper, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Hudson Creighton

 

[petetherhooker]

British and Irish Lions 2025: Farrell names team for Brumbies

Maro Itoje returns to captain the British and Irish Lions against the Brumbies on Wednesday as Andy Farrell's Test team appears to take shape.

www.bbc.co.uk

[h2]Lions team to face ACT Brumbies [/h2]British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollocl, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen

Looks to me like its still experimenting in a lot of positions

Kinghorn - test team
Freeman - test team
Ringrose/Aki - still up for grabs vs Tuipolutu/Jones
Lowe - test team
Russell - test team
JGP - test team
Genge - test team
Sheehan - test team
Furlong - still up for grabs
Itoje - test team
McCarthy - test team
Chessum - up for grabs
Curry - up for grabs vs VDF, Morgan, Earl, Pollock
Conan - test team but only because he’s the only out and out 8

Kelleher - please lord this is just to rest LCD who was excellent last game
Porter - test bench
Stuart - test bench
VDF - see above
Pollock, probably test bench for x-factor
Mitchell - test bench
M Smith - see Pollock
Hansen - please no, should probably be the loser of Ringrose/Jones

Overall two observations, it shows the terrible balance in the original back row selection, and the bench is set up to chase a game by including the two mavericks, M Smith and Pollock. If want to close out a game VDF/Pollock/M Smith should probably be Beirne/F Smith/ the best 7 not in the 15

 

[IT157]

Lets go Brumbies!

 

[Grizwald]

Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ben O'Donnell, 13 Ollie Sapsford, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Lington Ieli
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachie Hooper, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Hudson Creighton

How many of those are regular Super Rugby starters? ChatGpt says 15. There's 8 or 9 in the Walabies squad so while The Brumbies are by far the best domestic side seems far from loaded?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

How many of those are regular Super Rugby starters? ChatGpt says 15. There's 8 or 9 in the Walabies squad so while The Brumbies are by far the best domestic side seems far from loaded?

The vast majority of its pack is missing which is its main focal point

Hooper is class and Toole is rapid though

Imo still the strongest team lions have played in sus on paper so far

 

[Ddanno]

LCD is going to miss his darts under pressure, and I'll raise the harshest of eyebrows if Pollock makes the test 23

 

[OllyM97]

It’s been the same for the last couple of tours to Aus and SA but it still infuriates me that the provincial teams are not allowed to pick their best team against the Lions. If it’s the unique and once in a lifetime opportunity that the host countries claim it is, then why do they deliberately deprive their club teams of a chance to do something that will be remembered for years to come. I’m fed up of host countries using the Lions brand to boost their own coffers, whilst not doing everything they can to make every game as competitive as possible. The Brumbies at full-strength would have had every chance of at least giving the Lions a proper run for their money, now, as with every other game against the Aussie provincial teams on this tour, the only thing up for debate is how many the Lions win by. How do they expect any neutrals in Australia to watch this game when it’s directly up against a State of Origin decider?.

 

[Reiser99]

It's been the same for the last couple of tours to Aus and SA but it still infuriates me that the provincial teams are not allowed to pick their best team against the Lions. If it's the unique and once in a lifetime opportunity that the host countries claim it is, then why do they deliberately deprive their club teams of a chance to do something that will be remembered for years to come. I'm fed up of host countries using the Lions brand to boost their own coffers, whilst not doing everything they can to make every game as competitive as possible. The Brumbies at full-strength would have had every chance of at least giving the Lions a proper run for their money, now, as with every other game against the Aussie provincial teams on this tour, the only thing up for debate is how many the Lions win by. How do they expect any neutrals in Australia to watch this game when it's directly up against a State of Origin decider?.

I can see both sides of the argument. I agree in principle with you, but on the flip side how are Australia meant to prepare if they are consistently missing players. The provincial games are literally every 3 days or so. Are Australia meant to just practise altogether in the final week before the test?