Sports AFRICA, ALUN WYN JONES, ANDY FARRELL, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS, BROADCASTING, EUROPE, INTERNATIONAL MATCH, JOE SCHMIDT, LIONS, MAR, MARO ITOJE, OCEANIA, PERTH, PORTUGAL, PUMAS, RUGBY, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH AMERICA, SPORT, SPORTS, TEST MATCHES, WESTERN FORCE Nia Simpson June 18, 2025 0 Comments

British and Irish Lions vs Argentina: Kick-off Time, TV and Team News

The British and Irish Lions will face Argentina on June 20, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with the match broadcasting live on Sky Sports. Captain Maro Itoje aims for victory amidst injury concerns, while Argentina seeks to disrupt the Lions’ preparations before their Australian tour. Tickets remain available despite high prices, and odds indicate strong Lions favoritism.

The British and Irish Lions are gearing up to face Argentina this coming Friday, June 20, 2025, in a much-anticipated match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Kick-off is set for 8 p.m. BST, and this game marks a historic first for the Lions as they play in Dublin. The stakes are high, as the 1888 Cup is on the line for only the second time. The Lions will look to defend the trophy they won four years ago against Japan before their summer tour to South Africa.

Andy Farrell, the Lions’ head coach, is keen to avoid any injuries similar to what captain Alun Wyn Jones experienced in their last warm-up match. Maro Itoje has been appointed as the new captain, stepping into a significant role for the first time as the team prepares for their tour to Australia. Following a training camp in Portugal, the Lions are eager to enter the international arena with a strong performance against a formidable foe.

Argentina, on the other hand, aims to disrupt the Lions’ preparations. After a notable performance last year in which they challenged Ireland and amassed 50 points against Italy, the Pumas have been progressively gathering momentum. They finished above Australia in the Rugby Championship and are looking to solidify their standing as they continue their own preparations for the next edition of the competition.

For fans interested in watching the match in the UK, Sky Sports will provide a live broadcast. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. BST across Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action. Additionally, Sky Sports subscribers can access live streaming through the Sky Go app. A live match blog will also be available on Standard Sport for those wanting real-time updates.

Regarding team news, the Lions faced setbacks after Scotland’s Zander Fagerson was ruled out for the entire tour due to a calf injury, leading to his replacement, Ireland’s Finlay Bealham. Concerns continue to linger over Tadhg Furlong’s fitness status. New additions from England, like Asher Opoku-Fordjour, have joined training alongside hooker Jamie George and scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, who comes in after Leicester’s recent Premiership final defeat. However, there are injury worries surrounding full-back Hugo Keenan.

The full lineups for both teams will be announced on June 18, shortly after Farrell’s press conference scheduled at 4:30 p.m. BST in Dublin. Historically, the Lions have a strong record against Argentina, winning all six matches they have played since the initial encounters in 1927 and 1936. However, the last meeting in 2005 resulted in a frustrating draw for the Lions, leaving fans hoping for a decisive victory this time around.

Predictive analyses suggest the Lions might not be at their peak for this opening match, with quite a few key players yet to be fully integrated after the domestic finals. Nonetheless, they are eager for a robust performance to send a clear message to the Wallabies ahead of their Australian tour. The Pumas can never be counted out, always providing stiff competition, and will be looking to spoil this occasion for the Lions.

In terms of odds, the Lions are heavily favored to win at 1/20, with Argentina at 12/1, and a draw at 45/1, as per Betfair. Despite various uncertainties, many speculate the Lions should clinch a victory by at least a 10-point margin.

In summary, the British and Irish Lions are set to face Argentina in Dublin for the 1888 Cup, with kickoff at 8 p.m. BST on June 20, 2025. Amid injury concerns and the complexities of team integration, the Lions hope to secure a solid win ahead of their tour to Australia. Argentina, looking for a challenging match, adds excitement to the encounter, which is poised to set the stage for the Lions’ upcoming matches. Fans can catch the action live on Sky Sports, and team lineups will be revealed on June 18. With significant odds in favor of the Lions, anticipation builds for this historic clash.

Original Source: www.standard.co.uk