"The Lions turned Suncorp into their own crimson castle with a robust performance but all the action was at the nearby Paddington Hotel where bar takings were three times as much as the first State of Origin match, proving again there's nothing quite as thirsty as a Lions fan on tour."
Listen: Rugby Union Weekly - Lions win first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbanepublished at 17:13 BST 19 July 2025
17:13 BST 19 July 2025
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Lions win first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane
Chris is live from Brisbane after the Lions beat the Wallabies 27-19 in the first Test. Former Lion Andy Nicol and ex Scotland captain John Barclay join the pod to give their expert analysis of what they saw on the pitch.
Both agreed it was a strong start by Andy Farrell's men – then things went a little flat... Australian broadcaster Quentin Hull also drops by to give his insight into this Wallabies side and asks was a slow start to blame?
Finn Russell, Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne were some of the Lions players that impressed Andy and John – and the guys also look ahead to expectations for the second Test next week.
Watch: Lions Tour - First Test reactionpublished at 15:59 BST 19 July 2025
15:59 BST 19 July 2025
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Lions Tour: First Test reaction
Tulsen Tollett brings first test reaction as he's joined by 2005 British and Irish Lion Tom Shanklin, BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones and Former England winger Chris Ashton.
'If everyone's fit, Lions team should stay the same' - Shanklinpublished at 15:08 BST 19 July 2025
15:08 BST 19 July 2025
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Australia's Harry Wilson (C) tackles British and Irish Lions' Tom Curry.
2005 British and Irish Lion Tom Shanklin - "Tom Curry was awesome, maybe a little lucky not to get a yellow in the first half but he brought that engine and physicality. It is going to be tough for any player to break into that team, because the most important thing is winning the Test series.
"If everyone is fit, I cannot see it going anywhere else. Andy Farrell's job is to win the Test series and they looked good today."
'Australia's players seemed happy to mingle with Lions' - Ashton published at 15:03 BST 19 July 2025
15:03 BST 19 July 2025
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Maro Itoje of British and Irish Lions shakes hands with Carlo Tizzano of Australia.
Former England wing Chris Ashton - "In the post match, Australia's players were mixing and mingling with the Lions, they seemed really happy. I cannot get my head around (that), it seems they are almost happy that the Lions are there."
'Felt like a bonus-point loss at the end' - Shanklinpublished at 14:59 BST 19 July 2025
14:59 BST 19 July 2025
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Tom Lynagh of the Wallabies looks on.
2005 British and Irish Lion Tom Shanklin - "It seemed weird that Australia were socialising with the Lions players, weird they kicked the ball off at the end, it was like it was a bonus-point loss.
"You want to see an Australia team deliver, to try and (show) some endeavour and they are lacking a lot in attack. At so many stages they were crowding around Tom Lynagh and they didn't know where to go."
'Aussies should have played in the warm-ups' - Ashtonpublished at 14:56 BST 19 July 2025
14:56 BST 19 July 2025
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Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.
Former England wing Chris Ashton - "I was so confused why Joe Schmidt did not release his players to play in the club games, get some game time, a feel for what the Lions were about. If you have not faced them, even for 10, 15 minutes, how are you meant to expect the level or have some understanding in the first 20 minutes? You're not. And after 20 minutes, the game was almost over."
'Lions have quality everywhere and have the power to improve' - Shanklinpublished at 14:48 BST 19 July 2025
14:48 BST 19 July 2025
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Finn Russell (R) and Jamison Gibson-Park.
2005 British and Irish Lion Tom Shanklin - "Finn Russell was amazing, him and Gibson-Park are quality, the way they pull the strings, the time they have on the ball, their decision-making makes everyone's jobs so much easier.
"This is probably the most competitive Lions squad ever, there is quality everywhere, two amazing half-backs, the power of the pack, people putting in 80-minute shifts in the back row.
Post-match celebrations/selfies with fanspublished at 14:34 BST 19 July 2025
14:34 BST 19 July 2025
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Maro Itoje of the British and Irish Lions takes a selfie fans after the team's victory in one of the series.
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Tom Lynagh of Australia with his father, former Australian rugby international Michael Lynagh and grandparents Dr Ian Lynagh and Marie Lynagh, after the first test match.
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Finlay Bealham of British & Irish Lions, left, plays with his son Joaquin and teammate Bundee Aki after the first test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions.
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Dan Sheehan of British & Irish Lions, right, takes a photo of teammate Joe McCarthy with his brother Andrew after the first test.
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Garry Ringrose, left, and Dan Sheehan of British & Irish Lions celebrate after the first test match.
'Discipline was right on the edge' - Man of the Match Beirne published at 14:22 BST 19 July 2025
14:22 BST 19 July 2025
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Man of the Match Tadgh Beirne
Man of the match Tadhg Beirne, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a proper Test match, the last quarter was a battle. Australia will take confidence from that going into next week.
"Discipline was right on the edge. That will be a big focus for us.
"We managed the game well but need to focus on discipline more.
"I loved it, some of the games leading up weren't my best. But I hopefully did the shirt justice."
Image source, Getty Images
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Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell congratulates Tom Curry of British and Irish Lions at the end of the 1st Test Match between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium.
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell was full of praise for flankers Tom Curry and Tadgh Beirne.
Both selections were questioned before the game because of their form on tour.
"Tom Curry and Tadgh Beirne were absolutely immense. Curry put in some shots defensively and Tadgh got the turnover very early doors. It didn't stop there," Farrell said.
"Conan's carrying was very much on the front foot. Those three guys I'm sure they'll be delighted with how they responded to being selected.
"Curry and Beirne are a man of their word and that's what they delivered."
Win the first Test, win the series - Geniapublished at 17:26 BST 18 July 2025
17:26 BST 18 July 2025
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Former Wallaby Will Genia on first Lions Test & Lynagh selection
Ex-Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia joined the Rugby Union Weekly podcast this week and gave his prediction for the Test series.
"I look at that Lions team on paper and I think – what a team," said Genia.
"There are world-class players all across it but I do give us a chance. I think we have some athletes in our team that can really challenge this Lions team and if we can create some time and space for them we can get in the game.
"Whoever wins the first Test will win the series because you gain confidence and rhythm for the remaining games."
"Australia win 2-1. We win the first and third Tests."
Wilson relishing battle with 'terrific' Lions back rowpublished at 14:04 BST 18 July 2025
14:04 BST 18 July 2025
Lauren Jenkins BBC Sport in Brisbane
Image source, Getty Images
Asked if he had ever come up a back row as good as the Lions trio starting in the first Test on Saturday, Australia captain Harry Wilson didn't take too long to think it over.
"'Probably not," he said. "They've all been playing terrific on this tour. All the combinations have been really good."
The combination that got the nod, of course, was Tom Curry and Jack Conan - who will both be starting their fourth consecutive Lions Test - alongside Tadhg Beirne, who also played in the 2021 series off the bench.
Three Andy Farrell favourites for one principle reason. The head coach more than once referred to 'big-match temperament'' during Thursday's press conference.
''It's a big part of the consideration and we've got a few who have it in our starting line-up," he said. "Tadhg has had many big games when it really matters.''
So too has Curry. A selection based on reputation and ability over form and numbers.
''He's gone to the players that have delivered at the highest level," said 2009 Lions player of the series Jamie Roberts on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
"If they hit their potential in this game it's hard to see the Lions losing the first Test.''
Champion de Crespigny 'a psycho who loves contact'published at 14:00 BST 18 July 2025
14:00 BST 18 July 2025
Lauren Jenkins BBC Sport in Brisbane
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Australia fans might have been expecting a Wallabies enforcer with Top14 experience to make an impact this series. But instead of La Rochelle lock forward Will Skelton, who is out injured, in comes flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny who joined Western Force from Castres.
He starts in the six shirt on Saturday, hoping to hit the ground running on his Wallabies debut.
It's something we've seen on previous Lions tours. A certain Israel Folau scored two tries on debut in 2013 and lock Justin Harrison went on to break Lions' hearts with the crucial line-out steal in the third Test in 2001.
Champion de Crespigny has been described by Skelton as "a weapon, a gun and a tough so-and-so", by Fraser McReight as "a psycho who loves contact" and by his coach Joe Schmidt as "a real galvaniser of action".
He starts alongside McReight at seven and captain Harry Wilson at eight in the absence of one of their most effective carriers Rob Valetini - who had started 47 of 50 matches before the recent Fiji Test.
''Bobby V (as he's affectionately known) is a massive loss,'' says Wilson. ''He's been one of the in-form players in world rugby for quite a long period now.
''We've all had to up our workload with Bobby out. He takes the tough carries for us week in, week out. You appreciate a bloke who can take on two or three people and get front-foot ball.
"It's not ideal when you're missing a player like him so everyone has to pick up 10%. But we're confident and in a very good place.''
Schmidt confirmed that Valetini and Skelton will both be available for selection for next week's second Test in Melbourne.
The Wallabies may be understrength on paper, but they'll sure be inspired.
The tourists have won more Tests and more series than the Wallabies on their previous trips Down Under.
The tally stands at 17 Test wins for the Lions compared to six for the Aussies.
The Lions have also won seven series, while Australia have claimed two.
The Lions won the most recent series 2-1 in 2013.
Take a trip down memory lane with some pictures from the 2013, 2001 and 1989 tours.
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George North scored one of the greatest tries in Lions history on their last visit to Australia. The Welshman collected the ball inside his own half before setting off on a stunning run, cruising past two defenders to score the tourists' opening try as they won the first Test 23-21.
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North's thumping hit on Israel Folau in the second Test, where he lifted the Australia winger off the ground and carried him several metres backwards, has gone down in Lions history.
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But Adam Ashley-Cooper's late try, converted by Christian Leali'ifano, handed Australia a 16-15 win to level the series 1-1.
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The Lions recovered brilliantly to thump the Wallabies 41-16 and take the series 2-1. That remains their last series triumph after drawing in New Zealand in 2017 and losing to South Africa in 2021.
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New Zealander Graham Henry, who was in charge of Wales at the time, became the first overseas Lions head coach in the 2001 tour.
England speedster Jason Robinson scored a stunning try in the third minute as the Lions won the first Test 29-13 at the Gabba. Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll sealed the emphatic victory with a superb solo try.
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Australia's Joe Roff scored two tries in the second half of the second Test as the then-world champions came from behind to claim a 35-14 win and force a decider.
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Australia led a gripping final Test in Sydney 29-23 when the Lions lined up for a line-out near the Wallabies' tryline. Hooker Keith Wood attempted to find skipper Martin Johnson but instead Australia lock Justin Harrison - nicknamed the Plank by Austin Healey in a controversial newspaper column before the match - soared highest to grab the ball and ensure the hosts' series victory.
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Coached by Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan, the 1989 team were on the receiving end of a 30-12 humbling in the first Test in Sydney.
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Jeremy Guscott produced a moment of magic to score the crucial try in the visitors' 19-12 victory in the second Test - the infamous 'Battle of Ballymore' - to level the series at 1-1. The England centre collected his own grubber-kick before speeding over the line to touch down.
Image source, Getty Images
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Finlay Calder's team went on to win the third Test 19-18, becoming the first Lions side to win a series after losing the opening match. Wales wing Ieuan Evans (second from right) swooped on a loose ball to score the decisive try after Australia's star winger David Campese threw a terrible pass from just outside his in-goal area.
Image source, Code Sports
