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B&I Lions lean on English playmakers for Los Pumas

By @rugby365com
Wednesday 18 Jun 2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Andy Farrell has named his first-ever British & Irish Lions matchday squad ahead of facing Argentina.

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The Lions, playing on Irish soil for the first time, take on Los Pumas on Friday.

Saracens and England lock Maro Itoje will captain the side for the first time as he prepares for his third Tour.

Fourteen players could make their Lions debut against the Pumas.

Two-time tourists Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Marcus Smith and Duhan van der Merwe all featured in South Africa in 2021.

The Lions can also call on the experience of three-time tourists Elliot Daly and Tadhg Furlong off the bench.

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Fin Smith will start at flyhalf, while Marcus Smith will don the No.15 jersey.

Alex Mitchell pairs with his Northampton and English teammate as the halfback combinations.

Van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman are the wings, while Sione Tuipulotu and Bundee Aki are in the midfield.

In the pack, the front row consists of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Finlay Bealham.

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Maro Itoje and Tadhg Beirne are the second row combinations, while Tom Curry, Jac Morhan and Ben Earl complete the loose trio.

Lions head coach Farrell said: “Congratulations to Maro Itoje ahead of leading out the Lions for the first time – it is a truly special moment and one that very few players ever get to experience.

“Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.

“We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide – so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.”

British and Irish Lions: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Sione Tuipulotu, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Elliot Daly, 23 Mack Hansen.

Date: Friday, June 20
Venue: Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Kick-off: 20.00 (16.00 Argentina time; 19.00 GMT)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

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