The Daily Star Ireland
The British and Irish Lions have announced their starting lineup for the first fixture of the 2025 tour, with three players from Ireland selected to start and one more set to feature from the bench. The opening match, set for Friday evening against Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, will kick off at 8pm local time.
Ireland’s presence in the squad includes Munster lock Tadhg Beirne and Connacht duo Bundee Aki and Finlay Bealham, all of whom have been named in the starting XV. Meanwhile, Tadhg Furlong, returning from a calf injury that sidelined him since Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints in May, has been included among the replacements. This match marks the beginning of his third British and Irish Lions tour.
Also among the substitutes is Leinster hooker Rónan Kelleher, the only squad member involved in last weekend’s URC and Premiership finals. Connacht’s Mack Hansen completes the Irish contingent, listed as a backline replacement.
Lions Team Led by Itoje with English Core
Second-row Maro Itoje has been named tour captain and will lead the side alongside Beirne in the engine room. The Saracens forward is one of nine English players starting the game. Northampton Saints’ Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell form the half-back pairing, reflecting the influence of England’s domestic champions.
Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu joins Aki in midfield, providing a physically strong centre pairing. Tuipulotu is one of eight players making their British and Irish Lions debut in the starting lineup. On the wings, Tommy Freeman is deployed on the right and Duhan van der Merwe on the left, with England’s Marcus Smith selected at full-back.
Forwards and Bench Selections Complete a Balanced Squad
Bealham will anchor the front row at tighthead prop, flanked by Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie, both from England. On the bench, cover is provided by Kelleher, Furlong, and Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman.
In the back row, England’s Ben Earl will start at number 8, supported by Tom Curry and Jac Morgan as flankers. The remainder of the bench includes second-row Scott Cummings and back-row Henry Pollock for forward support. Scrum-half Tomos Williams and versatile back Elliot Daly join Mack Hansen as the three replacements for the backline.
This fixture marks a key starting point in the Lions’ campaign, giving players their first opportunity to impress ahead of more demanding tour matches.
Confirmed British and Irish Lions Lineup vs Argentina (June 21, 2025)
Starting XV:
- Marcus Smith
- Tommy Freeman
- Sione Tuipulotu
- Bundee Aki
- Duhan van der Merwe
- Fin Smith
- Alex Mitchell
- Ellis Genge
- Luke Cowan-Dickie
- Finlay Bealham
- Maro Itoje (captain)
- Tadhg Beirne
- Tom Curry
- Jac Morgan
- Ben Earl
Replacements:
- Rónan Kelleher
- Pierre Schoeman
- Tadhg Furlong
- Scott Cummings
- Henry Pollock
- Tomos Williams
- Elliot Daly
- Mack Hansen
The Lions will aim to establish momentum in their opening fixture as they prepare for the challenges of a demanding tour schedule, with squad depth and adaptability likely to play a significant role over the coming weeks.
