Lions squad players fail to stake Test claim in narrow win over First Nations XV

For the first time on this tour, the British and Irish Lions finished a game with a sense of relief. With the 23-man squad including nine late call-ups to the tour, this was always likely to be their most disjointed performance Down Under, but it was the punchy defiance of the First Nations and Pasifika that finally brought a sense of jeopardy for Andy Farrell’s side.

Once again Charlie Gamble was the tourists’ nemesis at the breakdown and overall, First Nations and Pasifika played with heart, conviction and physicality in ensuring the game went right to the wire. It felt like proper touring at last. And perhaps it has given Joe Schmit something of a blueprint for the Wallabies ahead of the second Test here in Melbourne.

“I think so, you need to take it to them head on,” said Kurtley Beale, the hosts’ captain, and a veteran of the last time the Lions toured here in 2013. “There were some patches there where we had the momentum and the Lions were kind of taking a backward step. It created opportunities for us.

“The boys, they love the physicality. I think playing rugby, you need physicality to lay the platform for your backs to play off and they’ll bring that. Hopefully we have inspired the Wallabies. We’re very proud of what we did. We had a game plan, some things to hang our hats on after the game. I thought regardless of the result, we did that.”

Ultimately Farrell’s most immediate concern will be a medical report on Wednesday. Marcus Smith went off for an head-injury assessment in the closing minutes but passed it, while Darcy Graham’s tour looks to have come to a harsh end as he picked up an ankle injury that forced him out of the contest after just 16 minutes.

On a night where many failed to put their best foot forward, Graham’s replacement, Garry Ringrose, was one of the few who pressed his claims for place in the Test 23, having been ruled out of the victory in Brisbane with concussion.

Another was Owen Farrell, with the Lions captain delivering a neat and composed display at inside centre, although he often stepped into first receiver. His left-footed chip put Jamie Osborne through for the Lions’ first try and he was involved at first receiver in the build-up to allow Fin Smith to attack the wide channel for Graham’s try. His dummy created the space for Duhan van der Merwe’s second-half try. His leadership and experience and ability to cover 10 and 12 could see him displace Smith on the bench.

An Owen Farrell show-and-go sets up Duhan van der Merwe! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/5CtBP6HFHL

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

Frustratingly for Blair Kinghorn, fit again after his knee injury, the Scotland full-back had a fitful display, making too many errors on a night when he looked like the player with the best hope of winning a Test place, given James Lowe’s mixed performance in the first Test.

Andy Farrell is probably facing his most complicated selection process, with the injury doubts to Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen, adding to the mix.

That James Ryan and Jac Morgan were both taken off early in the second half would indicate that both are on standby. Farrell could move Tadhg Beirne up to the second row if McCarthy is not fit, with Ollie Chessum coming on to the blindside flank.

A game that started off looking like another rout, after early tries by Jamie Osborne and Darcy Graham, took a very different turn, after tries by Triston Reilly and Seru Uru helped First Nations and Pasifika to draw level at the break, and although the Lions took some sort of control with further tries by Osborne and Van der Merwe, a late try by Rob Leota, ensured that the Lions endured an uncomfortable finale.

Home favourite Rob Leota scores for First Nations & Pasifika!

This game is going right to the wire! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/rPon4GVzZ8

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

Ultimately the Lions came through the test, but the manner of the performance is likely to lead to renewed focus when the tourists undergo a double training session on Thursday, the day the Test side is announced.

“As far as the game is concerned, I thought 14 points up and finding space everywhere, we started to play the game a bit like an exhibition match and it was never going to be like that,” said Farrell.

“We weren’t earning the right to play. There’s an allure of space that we thought was there and it wasn’t there because we found space nice and early. But we kept playing out the back and big wide passes, and getting hit behind the gain line, making it tough for ourselves, especially when they were getting off the line and putting so many people through the rock. It’s very hard to control the rock when you’re going backwards.

“We just needed to keep playing the game that’s in front of us and, at times, the space wasn’t there so we needed to do the right thing and play in the right parts of the field. We were our own worst enemy once or twice there, but I thought we recovered pretty well.

“We addressed that at half-time and started showing some proper intent in our game. Whether we got the rewards for it is a different story, but we fought our way back into the game. I am delighted for a lot of lads who have just played their first game, some have just played their first game on tour, delighted to keep the Ws rolling.”

Match details

Scoring sequence: 0-5, Osbourne try, 0-7, Smith con; 0-12, Graham try, 0-14, Smith con; 5-14, Reilly try, 7-14, Beale con; 12-14, Uru try, 14-14, Beale con; 14-19, Osborne try; 14-24, van der Merwe try; 19-24, Leota try.

First Nations & Pasifika XV: A Muirhead; F Daugunu, L Foketi, D Feliuai (J McLeod 41), T Reilly; K Beale, K Thomas (H Goddard 54); L Ieli, B Paenga-Amosa (R Asiata 45), T Tupou (M Doge 45), D Swain, L Salakaia-Loto, S Uru (R Leota 51), C Gamble, T Tualima.
Yellow card: T Reilly.
Lions XV: B Kinghorn; D Graham, J Osborne, O Farrell, D van der Merwe, F Smith (M Smith 73), B White; P Schoeman (R Sutherland 73), J George (E Ashman 73), F Bealham (T Clarkson 50), J Ryan (G Brown 53), S Cummings, J Morgan (B Earl 50), J van der Flier, H Pollock.
Yellow card: J Ryan.
Referee: L N Amashukeli (Georgia).
Attendance: 30,420.

Marcus Smith fit for second Test, but McCarthy and Hansen doubts

The British and Irish Lions have breathed a sigh of relief after Marcus Smith passed a head injury assessment but the Irish pair of Mack Hansen and Joe McCarthy remain major doubts for the second Test.

Smith, the England playmaker, had to go off shortly after coming on as a replacement for Fin Smith in the second half of the Lions’ hard-fought 24-19 victory over a First Nations & Pasifika XV.

“He is fine, he has passed everything,” head coach Andy Farrell said. Had Smith failed the head-injury assessment then the 26-year-old would have been ruled out of the second Test at the MCG on Saturday. However, he remains in contention, having come off the bench in the 27-19 first Test victory over Australia.

Farrell provided a more pessimistic assessment of wing Hansen and lock McCarthy, who have foot injuries. McCarthy had to depart the first Test early in the second half having suffered with plantar fasciitis and neither player has trained on their feet this week. Meanwhile, Darcy Graham, the Scotland wing who was brought in as injury cover, looks to have suffered a tour-ending ankle injury and was in tears after being replaced on 17 minutes.

“Darcy is devastated but to become a Lion and score a try as well, he should be unbelievably proud of himself,” Farrell said. “Joe hasn’t trained so far but with the nature of the week, which is a bit different, we will see how he is for Thursday. Mack’s progressing. Whether he’s progressing quick enough we’ll see towards the end of the week. Sometimes something flares up and it might take a day or two to settle down and then off they go, so we’ll stay open-minded about those two.”

The Lions were given arguably their toughest challenge on Australian soil by a First Nations and Pasifika team, who fell 14-0 behind after 10 minutes but went on to dominate the breakdown and set-piece battles.

It was not a game in which many players advanced their cause for Test selection but the early substitutions of Wales flanker Jac Morgan and Ireland second row James Ryan could both be significant if Farrell is forced to make adjustments in the pack. Two other potential contenders, Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn and England playmaker Owen Farrell lasted the full 80 minutes.

Farrell will receive the medical report from the game on Wednesday before meeting his coaching staff for what he is anticipating will be a “challenging” selection meeting. The squad will then train fully on Thursday morning before Farrell formally announces the side to take on Australia at the MSG in what he is billing as the “biggest game of our lives”.

“If you can’t get up for what’s coming, we’re all in the wrong place,” Farrell said. “To me, this is the biggest game of our lives, every one of us that’s part of our squad, so we’ll make sure that we address the week like that.

“Things always change when you wake up in the morning from a match and get information you don’t have the night before. We have got the day off tomorrow so it gives us a bit of space. There’s all sorts that goes into it, some performances, there’s no doubt about that. But there’s also what’s right for this second game and what that presents and the make-up of the squad and how it feels, you know... are a few changes going to freshen it up or do we go with the same guys?

“All that comes into the pot and it’s whatever’s best for the team in a game like that at the MCG, with over 90,000 people. So yeah, it should be like that shouldn’t it? It should be challenging.”

01:36 PM BST

That’s all folks

Please keep an eye on the Telegraph Sport site for all reaction, news and analysis after the Lions’ victory.

I need to hot-foot it to the studio now to record the next episode of the Telegraph Rugby Podcast with Charlie Morgan - to be released on all the usual platforms later today.

Goodbye for now!

01:32 PM BST

Marcus Smith

The word is from Melbourne that Marcus Smith passed his HIA and, all being well, will be fit for selection on Saturday.

Did Farrell do enough today to displace Smith?

01:19 PM BST

Test selection movers and shakers

We are still awaiting news of Marcus Smith’s HIA towards the end of the game. Whether he passes it or not, Owen Farrell must be in with a shout of sneaking onto the bench. With Joe McCarthy’s injury, so too Jac Morgan, who was the first back-five forward hooked today, after 50 minutes. Keep him fresh.

Other than that, I’m not sure Blair Kinghorn or Garry Ringrose did enough. Alex Mitchell did not feature today which suggests, despite Ben White’s excellent display, the Englishman will continue on the bench on Saturday. 

In terms of Australia, Charlie Gamble was player of the match but Taniela Tupou was replaced after 45 minutes. He had destroyed the Lions’s scrum and offers ballast which the Wallabies desperately lacked in Brisbane. Will Tupou get the call?

01:12 PM BST

Andy Farrell, Lions head coach, to Sky

Delighted for the lads who were playing their first game - first caps - and the first on tour. To get there with a hard-fought win against a very spirited side - congratulations to them - they showed how much it meant. They said how much of a special occasion it would be and they proved that. They were great. 

We lost the run of ourselves after a good start and going 14 points up. We started playing fancy rugby that was never on and we didn’t have the right.

I’m so pleased for these guys as for some of them it might be their last game on tour.

There were some great performances by some individuals. Ben White, Jamie [Osborne], the lads who came in and played their first game - delighted for them. So upsetting for Darcy, too - it showed how much it meant to him. He has a Lions cap and scored a try and he’ll remember that forever.

There’s always food for thought. We’ll review this game, have a meeting tomorrow and select the side tomorrow evening.

It doesn’t get any bigger [than what’s coming on Saturday]. We’ll enjoy this evening. A rest tomorrow for us and all hands on deck Thursday, Friday, Saturday.

01:07 PM BST

This was silly

Still crazy that the Lions got to veto a player from the FNP side - that one that just almost beat them.

— iainpayten (@iainpayten) July 22, 2025

Read more on that story here.

01:04 PM BST

The try that made things nervy

Home favourite Rob Leota scores for First Nations & Pasifika!

This game is going right to the wire! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/rPon4GVzZ8

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

01:03 PM BST

Owen Farrell, Lions captain, speaks to Sky

Probably too tight for us to be honest. Massive credit to the First Nations & Pasifika XV. They came out and fired into us. We had a great start but we didn’t get a foothold in the last 60 minutes. Massive credit to them but thankful we got the job done in the end.

It felt a bit frantic at times. We could have been a bit calmer and settled into what we do and do that better. We spoke at half-time and managed to regroup and be a bit more direct but they managed to come back into it.

In that second half we went direct again and people started working hard. Some of the kick-chases in the second half were miles better than the first. I enjoyed linking up with Fin. To get to play with him and a number of boys has been great.

We’ll enjoy this, recover, then prepare to get stuck into Saturday. We’ll see what happens.

01:02 PM BST

Charlie Gamble, MOTM, speaks to Sky

I didn’t think I’d get [player of the match]. There were probably a few boys out there who were a bit better than me. The boys showed some fight there. Proud of everyone.

It’s easy going against the best in the world. If you can’t get up for tha,t then what’s the point of playing? Glad I was able to do it a wee bit.

A group like us, a bunch of different cultures, we wanted to show physicality and I thought we did that. We switched off just after half-time - the nail in the coffin - but we didn’t give up. We had a chance at the end but we just couldn’t get it done. 

But it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.

12:53 PM BST

Van der Merwe’s try

An Owen Farrell show-and-go sets up Duhan van der Merwe! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/5CtBP6HFHL

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

12:52 PM BST

Full-time: FNP 19 LIONS 24

For an inexplicable reason, FNP decide to kick the ball away. Kinghorn scoops up and Fin Smith boots the ball into the stands.

That is that. The Lions remain unbeaten in Australia and win on this ground for the first time in three attempts.

Onto the MCG now, and Saturday’s second Test.

12:51 PM BST

79 mins: FNP 19 LIONS 24

But the Lions over-throw the line-out! The clock is in the red and the Lions will now have to do it from inside their own half.

12:50 PM BST

79 mins: FNP 19 LIONS 24

Pollock with the turnover! That could be the match-winner.

12:49 PM BST

78 mins: FNP 19 LIONS 24

Muirhead found himself ina  bit of space wide on the left but Debreczeni puts too much on the pass and the ball trickles into touch.

The Lions win their line-out and White clears well. FNP now have to do it from inside their own half but Debreczeni puts boot to ball and Osborne calls the mark.

FNP will now have what feels like one last go from just inside the Lions’ half.

12:46 PM BST

75 mins: FNP 19 LIONS 24

FNP put a dicey kick onto the Lions’ five-metre line and Kinghorn does well to collect and sweep up. White clears from the ruck; it’s a good kick but FNP will still throw in on the Lions’ 22.

12:45 PM BST

74 mins: FNP 19 LIONS 24

FNP are starting to believe here. They are massively on the up; the Lions are hanging on. The tourists threw in on halfway but the link between Brown and Van der Flier is clunky and there is a knock-on. A scrum to the hosts on halfway, with just over five minutes to play.

Ashman and Sutherland are on for George and Schoeman.

12:43 PM BST

MISSED CON BEALE: FNP 19 LIONS 24

Could that be crucial? It is still a one-point game.

Fin is back on for Marcus for the Lions; an HIA for the Harlequin.

12:42 PM BST

TRY LEOTA: FNP 19 LIONS 24

Leota goes over in his hometown - and it’s game on now!

An over-the-top line-out, FNP keep it tight, the Lions are caught short of numbers on the short side and Leota barges over.

12:40 PM BST

70 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 24

As M Smith comes on for his namesake, FNP’s discipline is faltering a touch, giving the Lions field position. However, the tourists cough up the line-out, Debreczeni kicks down field and boxes the Lions into a corner. Ringrose is bundled into touch and the FNP will throw in inside the Lions’ 22!

12:34 PM BST

MISSED CON F SMITH: FNP 14 LIONS 24

Another miss for F Smith but the Lions have daylight.

12:34 PM BST

TRY VAN DER MERWE: FNP 14 LIONS 24

The Scot finally gets one after a silky Lions attack. Earl heavily involved, a nice touch from F Smith, and a smart dummy from Farrell puts Van der Merwe clear.

12:32 PM BST

62 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 19

Kinghorn takes a Debreczeni cross-kick under pressure in the Lions’s 22, with the Scot clearing. Muirhead is charged down, there’s an accidental offside as the ball ricochets here, there and everywhere, and the Lions will put-in inside the FNP half.

12:27 PM BST

57 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 19

A neat first-phase attack from the Lions - with a gorgeous F Smith tip-on and a mazy run from Van der Merwe - ends in tears as the clean-out near the touchline is quite soft and FNP win the penalty for hands in the ruck.

Lions now have to defend a line-out in their own 22, and they do it tidily as White clears.

12:23 PM BST

54 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 19

It looked easier to score than to not for the Lions there! From close range, George, Earl, Pollock, Clarkson and Van der Flier all had a go. Then the backs wanted a crack, but FNP’s rush defence was excellent. Farrell got to within a metre but then Van der Flier knocked on under the posts. Scrum FNP.

Brown is on, too, for Ryan.

12:20 PM BST

Osborne’s second

It's a second try of the night for Jamie Osborne! 💪 pic.twitter.com/mant5z0dJX

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

12:19 PM BST

NO TRY: FNP 14 LIONS 19

Correctly, the try is ruled out. A knock-on by Ringrose on the floor and I think there was an earlier one, too, by George, which they didn’t even check.

Changes for the line-out: Clarkson on for Bealham and Earl for Morgan. That latter one could be telling. We might have Welsh involvement this weekend after all.

12:17 PM BST

TRY VAN DER FLIER: FNP 14 LIONS 24

FNP’s possession is a mess on halfway, White hacks on, Ringrose regathers, and pops up to Van der Flier to score.

It looks like there were two knock-ons in there. They’ll have to check...

And they are.

12:15 PM BST

48 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 19

Morgan and Van der Flier do well to win a jackal penalty for the Lions as they launch another attack.

F Smith and Kinghorn combine beautifully before George’s pass to Van der Merwe drifts forwards.

Fair call. FNP will put-in inside their own 22.

12:13 PM BST

MISSED CON F SMITH: FNP 14 LIONS 19

It was a tough one but it slides wide.

More changes for FNP: Asiata and Doge come on for Paenga-Amosa and Tupou - will we see the latter play in the Tests?

12:12 PM BST

TRY OSBORNE: FNP 14 LIONS 19

The Lions finally respond! Poor defence from FNP, albeit, but Kinghorn flings a long pass out to Osborne, and the Irishman walks his second in.

Nice for Kinghorn to throw a pass to a man in red, too...

12:11 PM BST

42 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 14

50:22 by White, to give the Lions the juiciest attacking platform.

Debreczeni came on early for Daugunu for FNp and now at half-time McLeod has replaced Feliuai, so a serious restructure in the midfield before the second half begins.

12:06 PM BST

The teams are back out...

... the second half will soon to be under way.

12:04 PM BST

Gavin Mairs’ half-time verdict

At last, we have a midweek Australian side who are having a real pop at the Lions. A game which started off looking like another rout, after early tries by Jamie Osborne and Darcy Graham, has taken a very different turn, with the First Nations and Pasifika side not only firing physical shots at Andy Farrell’s charges, but also making a real mess of their set piece and edging the breakdown battle.

While Triston Reilly seemed fortunate to remain on the pitch after a head-high tackle on the unfortunate Graham, whose brief cameo was ended in tears after being forced off with an ankle injury, he has been a thorn in the Lions’ side, smashing Duhan van der Merwe with a thumping tackle and finishing his try with aplomb. A second try by Seru Uru from close range after a quickly taken penalty levelled the scores and FNP could even have stolen the lead with the final play after a loose pass by Blair Kinghorn was intercepted. It has been a difficult half for Kinghorn, who was hoping to force his way into the Test XV. On the showing so far, only Owen Farrell looks to be putting pressure on the Test 23, helping to create both the Lions tries and offering a commanding presence. Garry Ringrose, on for Graham, also looks sharp. Game on.

11:55 AM BST

Melbourne dispatch

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt could do a lot worse than send a summons for openside flanker Charlie Gamble who is continuing to terrorise the Lions after doing a demolition job on the breakdown for the Waratahs. So far he has been the outstanding player on the pitch and if nothing else he brings an incredibly strong moustache game.

Of the two sides of the field, it is more FNP than Lions who are putting their hands up for Test selection currently, despite the visitors’ rapid start. Taniela Tupou has been immense for the hosts, too.

11:52 AM BST

Half-time: FNP 14 LIONS 14

An incredibly anxious end to the half for the Lions, as Kinghorn throws yet another interception!

FNP set off up the pitch but the Lions scramble well. The hosts put boot to ball and Van der Merwe is forced to carry over his own line but thankfully it does not matter as it is half-time.

But, plenty of thinking to do for the Lions at half-time.

11:50 AM BST

39 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 14

A woeful 30 seconds for the ions as they lose a promising attacking line-out and then Osborne makes a total meal of an FNP clearing kick.

FNP throw in inside the Lions’ half but they come in at the side at the ensuing ruck so the Lions will have one last chance this half.

11:49 AM BST

Melbourne dispatch

Owen Farrell’s vocal presence on the pitch is such that he can be heard in the press box, many metres away from the sideline. He has just told his team-mates to stop feeling sorry for themselves. 

11:48 AM BST

38 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 14

Offside penalty to the Lions off first phase so F Smith puts the Lions in the corner but the toursits have been fristrated at the maul. The FNP pack has made a mess of the Lions’ maul.

It’s really not going all the Lions’s way at the minute.

11:46 AM BST

36 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 14

Solid defence from the Lions and it is George with the interception, which allows White to clear.

And there’s some bruising physicality from the tourists there, as the pack - Ryan, Bealham and Schoeman at the forefront - all pile in to win a penalty at the ruck.

F Smith gives the tourists a line-out inside the FNP half.

11:44 AM BST

34 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 14

Tupou has just absolutely destroyed Schoeman at scrum-time. In fairness, Bealham had a stuffing, too. A worry for the Lions.

Beale gives FNP a line-out in the Lions’s 22.

11:42 AM BST

A bit of a scuffle

Henry Pollock and Sere Uru getting to know each other a little better 😅 pic.twitter.com/PRWcVMyB7Q

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

11:41 AM BST

FNP’s second

And just like that, the scores are level in Melbourne! 👀 pic.twitter.com/uIKcetYUV7

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

11:38 AM BST

29 mins: FNP 14 LIONS 14

The Lions have lost a bit of their attacking impetus; it was since Graham’s departure.

The toursists win a scrum free-kick but after a few phases Bealham goes off his feet at an attacking ruck and FNP win the penalty.

11:37 AM BST

Melbourne dispatch

Well, well, well. After scoring two tries in the opening ten minutes, there was talk of a cricket score being racked up here and the Lions definitely let their concentration slip with some awful errors by Duhan van der Merwe (again) and Blair Kinghorn. There were a lot of worried looks as the Lions gathered under the posts following Uru’s try; a lot of Test places are fast slipping away at present.

11:33 AM BST

CON BEALE: FNP 14 LIONS 14

Beale’s conversion is good and, unexpectedly, we have an even game after 25 minutes played. The Lions were 14-0 up minutes ago!

11:32 AM BST

TRY URU: FNP 12 LIONS 14

The Lions are at sixes and sevens here. A couple of penalties, some strong carrying from the FNP pack - Tupou and Tualima heavily involved. Thomas takes a quick tap and Uru drives his way over.

And, to make matters worse, Ryan is off to the bin for tackling Thomas before he had gone beyond 10 metres.

11:29 AM BST

20 mins: FNP 7 LIONS 14

Scrum penalty to FNP!

At the first scrum; a bit ominous for the Lions...

11:28 AM BST

Melbourne dispatch

It has been an impressive opening cameo from Owen Farrell, who has stepped into first receiver for both of the Lions’ tries so far. His left-footed chip for Jamie Osborne’s score was nicely done and he allowed Fin Smith to attack the wide channel for Darcy Graham’s try.

11:27 AM BST

CON BEALE: FNP 7 LIONS 14

An early sighter and we are back to a one-score game.

11:26 AM BST

TRY REILLY: FNP 5 LIONS 14

Ah. Kinghorn won’t want to watch that back. The Lions look to attack inside their own half and Kinghorn’s searching pass lacks a bit of oomph. Reilly, only just back on the field, picks it off and Pasifika are back in the game.

11:24 AM BST

Darcy’s moment

Darcy Graham is in for his FIRST Lions try! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/y9y6Wz6vA3

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

11:24 AM BST

17 mins: FNP 0 LIONS 14

Lions pinch an overthrown line-out but they never quite get a handle on the attack. It’s all a bit harem-scarem and ends with a Kinghorn knock-on from a misguided pass.

Upsettingly, Graham is having to depart with an ankle injury. Ringrose is going to come on here and we shall wait and see whether he lines up at 13 or 14. Osborne could push out.

Looks like Ringrose is at 13 with Osborne on the wing. Graham, incidentally, looks distraught.

11:20 AM BST

The Lions’s opener

TRY LIONS! Finished by Jamie Osborne, made by Owen Farrell 🌟 pic.twitter.com/AsU5w6YXCm

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 22, 2025

11:19 AM BST

14 mins: FPO 0 LIONS 14

The Lions are cutting through Pasifika at will here, with Kinghorn and Graham combining dangerously once more.

However, the hosts track back impressively to halfway and attack the Lions’ breakdown, with the counter-ruck winning a penalty.

11:18 AM BST

CON F SMITH: FPO 0 LIONS 14

Another nice strike from the Northampton Saint.

11:17 AM BST

TRY GRAHAM: FPO 0 LIONS 12

That was a bit... easy.

Still a lovely long pass from F Smith off the scrum to put Graham over.

11:16 AM BST

11 mins: FNP 0 LIONS 7

Penalty to the Lions after another decent break, with Van der Flier and Osborne involved.

F Smith puts the touring side in the corner...

11:14 AM BST

CON F SMITH: FNP 0 LIONS 7

Smith makes it a full seven-pointer.

And the bunker confirms that the yellow will remain a yellow.

11:13 AM BST

TRY OSBORNE: FNP 0 LIONS 5

Out of nothing! First phase, off the scrum, Farrell chips over into Reilly’s corner, with the wing off the field, Osborne chases and he manages to ground the ball despite the efforts of three defenders.

11:12 AM BST

6 mins: FNP 0 LIONS 0

Great maul defence from the Lions to hold up Pasifika and win the scrum. Bealham and Schoeman at the heart.

11:10 AM BST

6 mins: FNP 0 LIONS 0

Pasifika survive as Cummings is penalised for going off his feet at the ruck. The hosts clear.

11:09 AM BST

YELLOW CARD REILLY: FNP 0 LIONS 0

Definitely at least a yellow card for a shoulder to the head of Graham. That’s going up to the bunker as the Lions go to the corner...

11:08 AM BST

5 mins: FNP 0 LIONS 0

A lovely move from the Lions... before some handbags!

F Smith dummies and darts off first phase and links well with Osborne and Farrell. Kinghorn sends Graham away but the Pasifika cover works hard to bundle the Scot into touch five metres out.

However, the tackle from Reilly looked very suspect - that is what started the handbags, with Gamble and Farrell involved - and we’re off to the TMO...

11:06 AM BST

3 mins: FNP 0 LIONS 0

Well, that’s a thunderous start for the Lions.

Van der Merwe is over after sterling work from Kinghorn and Graham down the left. Graham tries to feed Van der Merwe inside but his boot is in touch before he releases the pass and the Pasifika XV will throw in five metres from their own line. Lions won a penalty at an earlier line-out maul.

11:04 AM BST

A Melbourne dispatch

Just as Suncorp Stadium was lit up before kick-off at the first Test with the word ‘Meanjin’, the indigenous place name for Brisbane, ‘Narrm’, the Aboriginal title for Melbourne, is displayed all around the ground here. These ‘welcome to country’ ceremonies are increasingly becoming a tinderbox issue in Australia, due to their sheer ubiquity. A survey conducted last month found that 56 per cent of Australians believed they had become divisive, as opposed to a unifying ritual aimed at reconciliation. “Australians do not want to be divided by race,” said David Wild of the Institute of Public Affairs. “We do not want or need to be welcomed to our country.”

11:02 AM BST

Kick-off!

Here we go!

Beale will get us under way with the Pasifika XV in the most garish kit.

11:02 AM BST

A reminder

The Lions have played at the Marvel Stadium twice - and are yet to win.

The second Tests in both 2001 and 2013.

10:59 AM BST

A Melbourne dispatch

Johnny Sexton was running at first receiver for a few of the Lions’ warm-up drills in a yellow bib and the 40-year-old still has it, producing one lovely pull-back for Marcus Smith coming around on the loop. Apart from Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl and Marcus Smith, the rest of the squad from the first Test victory have been on the sidelines alongside Mack Hansen who, like McCarthy, appears a big doubt for Saturday.

10:55 AM BST

Welcome to Country

The ceremony is now taking place at Marvel Stadium and kick-off is just a few minutes away.

10:48 AM BST

The two captains speak to Sky

Owen Farrell:

A massive honour, looking forward to it and getting out there. All the lads look like they’re ready. There’s an unbelievable opportunity; it’s not a ‘maybe’. We want to be the best we possibly can. It’s about seeing what type of energy we can get out there and how good we can be in ourselves. Looking forward to getting going.

Kurtley Beale:

There’s a huge responsibility [for us], especially for growing participation at a lower level, the grass roots. Tonight will be a great opportunity, to give the young kids something to aspire to.

Absolutely [here to prove Test credentials. There are a lot of guys who are on the fringes at the moment but we have had a great week of prep. We’re excited.

10:34 AM BST

A Melbourne dispatch

One of the big tell-tale signs tonight will be which of the back-rowers goes off first. Assuming that Joe McCarthy is out of the second Test - and all indications in Melbourne suggest his foot injury is pretty bad - then at least one loose forward will come into the equation for the second Test. An early substitution - say around 48 minutes - would suggest that forward could be in the frame to at least make the squad on Saturday. Similarly if versatile full back Blair Kinghorn is replaced around a similar time then I would think he will be firmly in the mix for Saturday.

10:24 AM BST

I’m sure you do not need me to tell you...

... that they are Gregor Brown, Thomas Clarkson and Darcy Graham. In order.

Some of the new faces in red tonight 🔴#Lions2025pic.twitter.com/Tzbt5oTPOm

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 22, 2025

10:19 AM BST

If McCarthy is out...

... then one would expect Ollie Chessum to start alongside Maro Itoje at lock for the second Test.

Then, someone would have to come onto the bench. Given Tadhg Beirne will (probably) be at six, one would expect that the player to come onto the bench would be back-rower.

So, all eyes on the back-row trio tonight. Whoever stands out may well squeeze their way among the replacements for Saturday.

10:11 AM BST

Let us know!

10:03 AM BST

The Lions are warming up

Just over one hour to K.O. here in Melbourne ⏳#Lions2025pic.twitter.com/Vwz9j5vQJe

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 22, 2025

09:58 AM BST

Just a reminder...

... that the Lions are currently unbeaten in Australia. Even if they are overwhelming favourites to win the Test series, they will not want to let that record slip today.

09:56 AM BST

Tonight’s referee

It is Nika Amashukeli of Georgia, who will also be taking charge of the third Test in Sydney.

09:52 AM BST

Today’s captain

Our captain tonight in Melbourne 🫡🦁#Lions2025pic.twitter.com/CLKBjsjhu7

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 22, 2025

09:51 AM BST

Pre-match reading

Why not have a peruse of Brian Moore’s latest column, where the former Lions hooker extols the virtues of a potential tour away from Australia.

Should the Lions win this series 3-0 - or, even, a very comfortable 2-1 - this debate will only intensify... France? Argentina?

You can read it by clicking here.

09:42 AM BST

Team news

First Nations & Pasifika XV: A Muirhead; T Reilly, L Foketi, D Feliuai, F Daugunu; K Beale (capt), K Thomas; L Ieli, B Paenga-Amosa, T Tupou, D Swain, L Salakaia-Loto, S Uru, C Gamble, T Tualima.
Replacements: R Asiata, M Pearce, M Doge, M Vocevoce, R Leota, H Goddard, J Debreczeni, J McLeod.

Lions XV: B Kinghorn; D Graham, J Osborne, O Farrell (capt), D van der Merwe, F Smith, B White; P Schoeman, J George, F Bealham, J Ryan, S Cummings, J Morgan, J van der Flier, H Pollock. 
Replacements: E Ashman, R Sutherland, T Clarkson, G Brown, B Earl, A Mitchell, M Smith, G Ringrose.

09:39 AM BST

Thoughts? Vote below!

09:29 AM BST

Good morning!

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of today’s final Lions midweek match, against the First Nations and Pasifika XV at the Marvel Stadium.

To kick things off, here’s a dispatch from Daniel Schofield in Melbourne, about one of the Lions’s latest arrivals, Jamie George.

It took George 47 hours from the moment he left San Juan in the foothills of the Andes in Argentina to join the Lions touring party in Brisbane last week over stopovers in Buenos Aires, Rio and Dubai.

It is easy to be scornful about the Lions’ fixture against the First Nations and Pasifika XV, which was inserted after the demise of the Melbourne Rebels, which owes far more to commercial than competitive reasons. Indeed you get the sense from many in the Lions management that this is a monumental inconvenience.

But that sense of cynicism starts to melt away when you hear George discuss the feeling of representing the Lions on previous tours in front of his late mother Jane and how much it means to pull on the red shirt for a third tour after believing that opportunity had slipped away. “It’s emotional to be back out there because I never thought this opportunity was going to come, however many weeks ago the squad was announced and I was heartbroken,” George said. “Now I’ve got the opportunity to pull the jersey on again and it might be the last time, it might not be. But I’ll try and put my best foot forward and play like it’s the last time and when I do it that like that I want to make people proud, I want to do the jersey proud and do everything I possibly can to win in a Lions jersey because I think international selection is one thing but winning as a Lions is different so that’s what I’m here to do.

“This will be one of the biggest games of my career. I never thought I would have this opportunity again so I am not going to let it slip. I am motivated as I have ever been. I can’t think too far ahead. Of course it’s an amazing opportunity to put your name forward for Test selection. That’s the way that people have got to see it. That’s an important thing to get right, you don’t put your hand up for Test selection by going individual and going out of the system.”

George is one of four call-ups who start against the First Nations side who will be making their first start alongside centres Owen Farrell, who captains the side, and Jamie Osborne as well as Scotland winger Darcy Graham. The Lions set a pretty high bar in the 27-19 victory against Australia in Brisbane but fitness doubts around second row Joe McCarthy as well as uncertain performances from the wingers and the replacements means that there will be opportunities to press for Test places.

“Of course it’s an amazing opportunity to put your name forward for Test selection,” George said. “That’s the way that people have got to see it. That’s an important thing to get right, you don’t put your hand up for Test selection by going individual and going out of the system. Dan Sheehan for me is the best hooker on the planet at the minute, if not one of the best rugby players. He is unbelievable, I couldn’t be more impressed with him. Ronan has done an unbelievable job and Luke is out here recovering from his head knock. But there are ridiculously good players ahead of me. All I can do is focus on enjoying every opportunity that I get and putting my best foot forward and I’m absolutely going to be looking to do that.”