When Is The Lions Squad Announced? Everything You Need To Know Ahead Of Massive Week For Rugby

The most-anticipated week in the British and Irish rugby season is upon us – but when is the Lions squad getting announced?

Four years in the making, this week the British and Irish Lions squad will finally be announced for this summer’s tour to Australia.

Head coach Andy Farrell and his team will head down under to take on the Wallabies in a three-test series, following a number of warm-up matches against provincial teams.

The best players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales have been putting themselves in the shop window all season in order to try and earn a call-up.

There is no greater honour for a Home Nations rugby player.

Speculation over who will or won’t be going has never been higher, but as we enter the all-important squad announcement week – when exactly will the Lions squad be announced?

When Is The Lions Squad Announced?

This year’s British and Irish Lions squad announcement will take place on Thursday, 8 May at a live event in London.

With Ireland head coach Farrell at the helm, the expectation is that Irish players will feature heavily.

After an impressive Six Nations – where they finished a close second to winners – England are also likely to be well-represented, as are Scotland.

But having lost all five of their games, there is a possibility that only a handful of Welsh players will go on tour, if any.

There has been no confirmation of the exact size of the initial squad to be announced, but the previous tour to South Africa in 2021 saw 37 players named.

The Lions squad announcement will begin from 14:00 BST in front of a live audience at London’s O2 Arena.

Former Wales winger and current Lions chairman Ieuan Evans will announce the squad.

Who Will Captain The Lions?

The Lions captaincy is always another hot topic of debate. This year, there have been several main candidates suggested.

Ireland skipper Caelan Doris was thought to be the front-runner, having worked with head coach Farrell for a number of years.

But a shoulder injury picked up in club Leinster’s European Champions Cup semi-final defeat at the weekend means he is now a major doubt for the tour.

As a result, many expect England captain Maro Itoje to now be named tour captain for the Lions.

Another name suggested by some is that of Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan, who is expected to be a test-match starter.

British & Irish Lions Fixtures 2025

• Friday, 20 June – Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
• Saturday, 28 June – Lions v Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)
• Wednesday, 2 July – Lions v Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
• Saturday, 5 July – Lions v NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)
• Wednesday, 9 July – Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)
• Saturday, 12 July – Lions v Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
• Saturday, 19 July – Lions v Australia, First Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
• Tuesday, 22 July – Lions v Melbourne Rebels, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)
• Saturday, 26 July – Lions v Australia, Second Test, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)
• Saturday, 2 August – Lions v Australia, Third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)

British & Irish Lions Coaches

As well as head coach Andy Farrell, a number of other Ireland staff- have ed the Lions coaching team.

Defence coach Simon Easterby – who was interim Ireland boss during the Six Nations – s attack coach Andrew Goodman and scrum specialist John Fogarty from the Irish set-up.

Former Ireland and Lions legend Johnny Sexton has also been drafted in as an assistant coach.

Sexton started all three tests as the Lions beat Australia 2-1 in the 2013 series, and also played three times against New Zealand in 2017.

England assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth and and Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel complete the Lions coaching team.