What time and TV channel is Queensland Reds vs British and Irish Lions on
The 2025 tour may have got off to the wrong start with defeat to Argentina in Dublin but the ship was steadied to some extent with a comprehensive win over Western Force in Perth.
The starting XV for the game with Reds features six Ireland players Hugo Keenan, Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Jack Conan; Finlay Bealham, James Ryan and Garry Ringrose are on the bench.
Wales star Tomos Williams suffered a Tour-ending hamstring injury in Saturday's win and has been replaced by Toulon and Scotland scrum-half Ben White.
Here's what you need to know about the game:
Where and when is it? The match takes place at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday morning, July 2nd
What time is kick-off? The action gets under way at 11am Irish time.
Who are the match officials? Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand); Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Assistant Referee 2: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand); TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand), Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Tell me some Queensland Reds stuff?
The Reds are coached by former Ulster coach and Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss, who will replace Joe Schmidt as Australia boss next year, and co-captained by scrum-half Tate McDermott.
Their squad includes eight players who are in the current Australia squad and two of them have been released for their match against the Lions in hooker Matt Faessler and centre Hunter Paisami.
Their colleagues Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggor, Harry Wilson, Filipo Daugunu, Tom Lynagh and McDermott have been retained by the Wallabies.
Lions fans will be familiar with Samoa lock Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen, who played in the Northern Hemisphere for Wasps and Ulster, and former Northampton Saints lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Who are the Players to watch?
Wallabies Paisami and Faessler will no doubt take to the field looking to prove a point as they look to force their way into Joe Schmidt's reckoning ahead of the upcoming Test series.
Paisami, who has 31 caps, most recently played for the Wallabies in last year's Rugby Championship and will relish his midfield battle with Bundee Aki and Huw Jones.
Faessler, meanwhile, has recently returned from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the run-in to the Reds' season and has an Test hat-trick to his name, against Wales last year.
Quotes corner
Andy Farrell, Lions Head Coach: They're a great side. I mean, that's obvious if you've watched the games, not just this year, but last year as well. Les has done a fantastic job with them to play a great brand of rugby and are able to play in many different ways. This will be 100 percent a big step up for us on Wednesday night.
"Jamison (Gibson-Park) and Finn (Russell) understand one another and understand each other's traits even before they got on the plane because that is what players do. They look out for how the best do things. They are two characters who want to see the game from similar eyes as far as where space is. They have attacking mindsets but they both know how important game control is."
Les Kiss, Queensland Reds coach: Excitement is high that's for sure. If you look at history, it's a unique and special group as Queensland players and coaches who get the chance against a Lions team. It's a one-off match but we've had a line of sight with their games against Argentina and the Western Force. They are an incredibly good and talented team. They have taken on some of the DNA of the Irish team.
"In this match, we have to be very good at the breakdown and aerially. They've shown their attacking side too. We have to meet those challenges but we'll put our brand of rugby out there as well. We'll keep backing ourselves. Why can't we put our best foot forward, rip in and see what happens?'
Betting Odds: Reds win: 35/1, Lions win: 1/80, Draw: 50/1
What TV channel is it on? The match will be shown on Sky Sports
TEAMS
Queensland Reds: Campbell (capt); Anderson, Flook, Paisami, Ryan; McLaughlin-Phillips, Thomas; Ross, Faessler, Toomaga-Allen, Canham, Salakaia-Loto, Uru, Bryant, Brial.
Replacements: Nasser, Blake, Fa'agase, Smith, Blyth, Vest, Werchon, Henry
The British & Irish Lions
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) #858
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #878
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #876
2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #864
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England) #877
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (C) #825
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England) #875
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) #861
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/ England) #859
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #856
19. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) #862
23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
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