The British & Irish Lions have taken their first major step towards the 2025 Tour, with the initial group of available players gathering in Dublin. They will head to Portugal tomorrow for a six-day training camp at Quinta do Lago, a vital period of preparation ahead of their clash with Argentina in the 1888 Cup.
Players involved in the Premiership Rugby and URC finals will join the squad next week in Ireland, just in time to fine-tune things before the Lions take on Los Pumas at the Aviva Stadium.
There has already been one change to the squad, with Scotland and Glasgow Warriors prop Zander Fagerson ruled out due to a calf injury. Ireland and Connacht’s Finlay Bealham has been called up in his place.
In addition, two more England internationals—hooker Jamie George and prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour—will travel to Portugal and train with the squad. George, a two-time Lions tourist in 2017 and 2021, brings a wealth of experience, while Sale’s Opoku-Fordjour is an exciting front-row prospect who made his England debut last year.
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell commented:
“It’s tough on Zander to miss out so close to the Tour, but now Finlay gets an opportunity to come in and add to the group. This is unfortunately part and parcel of the game, so we always have to be prepared for that. But it’s great to be finally at the stage where we can get onto the training ground and get to work with these players.
Portugal will be really important for us as we look to get our house in order with only a few training sessions before we take on Argentina in the 1888 Cup in Dublin.”
British & Irish Lions Squad – Portugal Training Camp
Forwards:
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Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
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Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
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Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
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Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
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Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
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Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
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Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819
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Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
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Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (Captain)
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Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
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Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks/England)
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Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
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Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
Backs:
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Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
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Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
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Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
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Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
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Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
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Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
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Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
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Marcus Smith (Harlequins/England) #855
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Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
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Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
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Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
2025 British & Irish Lions Fixtures
1888 Cup
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20 June 2025: The Lions vs Argentina – Aviva Stadium, Dublin, KO 8:00pm
2025 Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Series
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28 June 2025: Western Force vs The Lions – Optus Stadium, Perth, KO 10:45am
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2 July 2025: Queensland Reds vs The Lions – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, KO 10:45am
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5 July 2025: NSW Waratahs vs The Lions – Allianz Stadium, Sydney, KO 10:45am
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9 July 2025: ACT Brumbies vs The Lions – Gio Stadium, Canberra, KO 10:45am
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12 July 2025: Invitational Australia & New Zealand XV vs The Lions – Adelaide Oval, KO 10:15am
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19 July 2025: Wallabies vs The Lions – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, KO 10:45am
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22 July 2025: First Nations & Pasifika XV vs The Lions – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, KO 10:45am
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26 July 2025: Wallabies vs The Lions – MCG, Melbourne, KO 10:45am
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2 August 2025: Wallabies vs The Lions – Accor Stadium, Sydney, KO 10:45am
