‘There's not real confidence but there's a quiet resolve': bad cop Joe Schmidt back on familiar beat in Australia
The camera in Canberra lingered on a beaming Joe Schmidt like he was some sort of benevolent dictator, Brumbies scarf draped around his shoulders. The saviour of Australian rugby, in brilliant Technicolor.
Behind the smile, his mind was processing the information as it always does. The whole of Australian rugby hopes that Schmidt's logical brain will be the difference when it comes to taming these Lions next weekend. So much rests on his shoulders.
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South Wales Guardian
15 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Maro Itoje welcomes ‘quality players' into Lions squad as Scots are summoned
Scotland trio Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham will join up with Andy Farrell's men over the coming week, swelling the size of the squad to 44 in the wake of Jamie Osborne, Jamie George and Tom Clarkson also being added. The fresh faces have been brought in to provide cover that will prevent key personnel from playing in the Test series while backing up in next Tuesday's match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV. Farrell's decision to turn to those from Scotland's tour of nearby New Zealand has evoked memories of eight years ago when Finn Russell, Allan Dell, Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Gareth Davie joined Warren Gatland's Lions. Picked because of their geographical location with their national sides and not on merit, they were shunned by some squad members and Gatland later revealed that internal concern over 'devaluing the jersey' forced him to not deploy them off the bench against the Hurricanes. Itoje's Lions will take a different approach with their captain declaring 'we are all in this together'. 'I have no doubt that they will be welcomed in,' said Itoje ahead of the Saturday's first Test in Brisbane. 'The boss, Andy, has called them in because he believes they will help the Lions to achieve their goal of winning a Test series. 'All of the players who have been called in are quality players. They are players like everyone else in the team, have a high level of experience and have achieved things in their career. 'We are all in this together. It's not us and them. It doesn't matter if there's a late call-up. We've seen in the past how late call-ups have had huge impact on the tour in positive ways. All eyes on Brisbane! 👀🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 13, 2025 'I have no doubt that everyone who has called up will play a significant role in helping the team achieve its goal.' Meanwhile, Itoje has doubled down on Henry Pollock's revelation that the Lions are determined to complete a series whitewash of Australia – an aim that has been noted by the hosts. 'That's definitely the ambition. It goes without saying – no one ever wants to lose a game,' Itoje said. 'It would be a bit weird if one of my team-mates said we want to win two and lose one. 'If you asked any of the Wallabies players, I hope it's also their ambition to win all the games. 'We want to win, but all we're focussed on is this Saturday. The other two games will look after itself.' After playing four matches in four different states in 11 days, the Lions are based in Brisbane where preparations for the first Test have begun, 'We know there's going to be a big step up. As we get closer and closer to the game, we'll sharpen and sharpen,' Itoje said. 'There's a healthy tension in the squad because we know this is what we've been working towards.'
North Wales Chronicle
29 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Maro Itoje welcomes ‘quality players' into Lions squad as Scots are summoned
Scotland trio Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham will join up with Andy Farrell's men over the coming week, swelling the size of the squad to 44 in the wake of Jamie Osborne, Jamie George and Tom Clarkson also being added. The fresh faces have been brought in to provide cover that will prevent key personnel from playing in the Test series while backing up in next Tuesday's match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV. Farrell's decision to turn to those from Scotland's tour of nearby New Zealand has evoked memories of eight years ago when Finn Russell, Allan Dell, Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill and Gareth Davie joined Warren Gatland's Lions. Picked because of their geographical location with their national sides and not on merit, they were shunned by some squad members and Gatland later revealed that internal concern over 'devaluing the jersey' forced him to not deploy them off the bench against the Hurricanes. Itoje's Lions will take a different approach with their captain declaring 'we are all in this together'. 'I have no doubt that they will be welcomed in,' said Itoje ahead of the Saturday's first Test in Brisbane. 'The boss, Andy, has called them in because he believes they will help the Lions to achieve their goal of winning a Test series. 'All of the players who have been called in are quality players. They are players like everyone else in the team, have a high level of experience and have achieved things in their career. 'We are all in this together. It's not us and them. It doesn't matter if there's a late call-up. We've seen in the past how late call-ups have had huge impact on the tour in positive ways. All eyes on Brisbane! 👀🦁#Lions2025 — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 13, 2025 'I have no doubt that everyone who has called up will play a significant role in helping the team achieve its goal.' Meanwhile, Itoje has doubled down on Henry Pollock's revelation that the Lions are determined to complete a series whitewash of Australia – an aim that has been noted by the hosts. 'That's definitely the ambition. It goes without saying – no one ever wants to lose a game,' Itoje said. 'It would be a bit weird if one of my team-mates said we want to win two and lose one. 'If you asked any of the Wallabies players, I hope it's also their ambition to win all the games. 'We want to win, but all we're focussed on is this Saturday. The other two games will look after itself.' After playing four matches in four different states in 11 days, the Lions are based in Brisbane where preparations for the first Test have begun, 'We know there's going to be a big step up. As we get closer and closer to the game, we'll sharpen and sharpen,' Itoje said. 'There's a healthy tension in the squad because we know this is what we've been working towards.'
Scotsman
37 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Australia vs British and Irish Lions first test TV details, UK kick off time and team news
The British and Irish Lions are preparing for the first test in a three-match series with Australia. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The waiting is almost over as the British and Irish Lions put the final touches to their preparations for their first test with Australia. After falling to a defeat against Argentina in Dublin in the opening match of the summer, Andy Farrell's men have remained perfect since arriving down under with wins against Western Force, Queensland Reds, NSW Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and an Invitational Au & NZ VX. During that time Farrell's squad has been hampered by some injuries but there remain some big calls for the Lions head coach to make as his side prepare to go head-to-head with the Wallabies for the first time in a three-test series. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Where and when does the first test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions take place? The first test will take place at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, July 19 and kick off is at 8pm local time, 11am BST. So it's a morning feast of Rugby for Lions supporters as the long wait for the first test finally comes to an end. What is the latest team news ahead of the first test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions? Ewan Ashman, Darcy Graham and Rory Sutherland have been called up by the British and Irish Lions. | Scottish Rugby The Scottish representation in the current Lions squad has been increased after Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham were all called up after representing Scotland during their Pacific tour. However, Sutherland and Ashman will remain with Gregor Townsend's men until after Saturday's clash with Samoa and will link up with the Lions following that match. Edinburgh Rugby winger Graham has already left the Scotland camp in New Zealand and will join the Lions squad immediately. However, all three Scotland stars have been called into the squad as cover for the tour match with First Nations & Pasifika XV and that will take place on Tuesday, July 22. A Lions statement read: 'Scottish trio Rory Sutherland (Lion #840), Ewan Ashman and Darcy Graham will join the Lions squad to provide cover for the First Nations & Pasifika XV fixture. All three are part of Scotland's squad currently in New Zealand preparing for a fixture against Samoa. Graham will join the Lions squad today while Sutherland and Ashman will join the squad in Melbourne on Sunday.' Elsewhere in the squad, a head injury suffered by Ireland centre Garry Ringrose could force a change in what arguably would have been Farrell's strongest starting XV. Will Stuart could have done enough to land a place at tighthead and Farrell faces a big decision over Tadhg Furlong's involvement. Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park have surely sewn up the half-back line and there appears to be a straight shoout-out between Ireland's Bundee Aki and Scotland's Sione Tiopulotu to partner the impressive Huw Jones at centre. An injury to Blair Kinghorn will be assessed before any decision is made over whether he can carry his form from tour matches into the eagerly anticipated first test. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What has Darcy Graham said about his British and Irish Lions call-up? SNS Group He told the Scotland Rugby website: 'When I found out it was about 1.30am back home so I phoned my Mum and it kept ringing and ringing. When she finally answered she was panicking as she hadn't a clue what was going on. They were buzzing and she woke my brothers up to tell them. It's been some 24 hours for the family as my sister just had a baby girl. I'm gutted not to be finishing the Scotland tour but all of the boys have been really supportive and they're buzzing for me so it's exciting times.' Where and when can I watch Australia v British and Irish Lions? Getty Images Sky Sports have the television broadcasting rights for the tour and are showing every tour match and test match. The first test with the Wallabies will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action. Coverage gets underway live from the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane at 10am, an hour before the test series officially gets underway. Your next Scotland rugby read: Emotional Scotland star reflects on 'dream' British and Irish Lions call-up
