NSW Waratahs v British and Irish Lions live: score, commentary, updates
We were chatting last night, our tourists, and realised that we have a month left in Australia (Will Kelleher writes). With the whirlwind start to the tour it feels like we've been here a month already! Two games, three cities, two sets of laundry done, and two 50+ point wins for the Lions. What state will they be in when they return to Sydney in the final week of the tour? Will we have a series winner already, or will it all be in the balance?
There is so much left to go until that point, so many fascinating twists and turns. Let's just hope the Lions don't go three-for-three for horrible injuries against the Waratahs tonight.
Not sure that it's up to the Lions head coach to tells fans to cut the 'nonsense' regarding the selection of Owen Farrell. Free speech and all that…
The Waratahs' 2025 season has been powered by some seriously talented stars. Captain and powerhouse No8 Langi Gleeson has led the charge with dynamite performances, snagging Player of the Year honors. Young speedster Max Jorgensen has dazzled fans with his lightning pace and tryscoring flair, while former NRL ace Joseph Suaalii brings raw power and versatility when fit. Front-row beast Angus Bell has bulldozed scrums, and crafty centre Tom Banks has been a creative spark in midfield. But, as with all Lions tours, not all of them are available to take on the men in red tonight. So, the Waratahs will have to dig deep into their bench and rely on fresh faces to try and keep the Lions at bay — no easy task, but hey, that's rugby!
In 2025, the Waratahs experienced a season of highs and lows, ultimately falling short of play-off contention. Under new coach Dan McKellar, the former Leicester Tigers main man, they began the Super Rugby Pacific campaign with promise, securing victories against the Western Force and the Brumbies, including a notable 28–23 win that ended a 13-match losing streak against the Brumbies. A standout moment came with a remarkable 102-metre team try in a 21–14 upset over the Chiefs.
However, inconsistency marred their season. Heavy defeats to the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika highlighted defensive vulnerabilities, and a crushing 46–6 loss to the Blues dashed their playoff hopes. Despite these setbacks, the emergence of young talents like Max Jorgensen and the return of Joseph Suaalii injected excitement into the squad. While the season ended without finals qualification, the Waratahs showcased glimpses of potential that could bode well for the future.
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A couple of Ireland behemoths have been chatting before the game in Sydney.
'Everyone wants to put their hand up for tests but at the moment we just want a good team performance,' Tadhg Beirne, tonight's captain, said. 'We have shown massive improvement each week and the goal now is to improve on Wednesday.
'Maro [Itoje] is an incredible leader and player, it's no surprise the performance he's producing at the moment. If I can do half of what he does I'll be doing alright.'
And also Josh van der Flier.
'It's been pretty busy, the first time since I was in school that I am playing three games in a week. A good few of us watched on Wednesday and there is definitely a bit of, not pressure, but expectation tonight to do the same.
'The Tahs are a very good set up, they will be well glued together after a season together. We had prepared for [Pollock injury], Andy had said at very start, it's the nature of these tours, backing up games, everyone was ready to fill in at any stage.'
Pollock is a big draw card in Australia (Stuart Barnes writes). The expats of Paddington and Bondi Junction are mightily miffed at his late withdrawal. Oh well, at least he won't end up forcing me to change my writing plans and muse on the man of the moment…even writers need flexible plans. Like Finn Russell on the field. On the match: this is not a vintage `Tahs team and the Lions should be judged solely on quality of performance, not the result.
Anyway, Kate, Mike, Ollie and Matt and his drinking buddies, sorry about Pollock…
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Andy Farrell has been shedding light on the Henry Pollock injury.
'Henry has a slight problem, nothing too serious,' he told Sky Sports. 'So we reshuffle back to a 5-3 bench.
'We are in the thick of it now, the games are rolling. We are hoping to see improvement. What does that look like? Game after game lads are stepping up. We got a reaction from the Force, and we want to see that again tonight.
'It's a special night for those three (Hugo Keenan, Ben White, Blair Kinghorn) and their families so we've got to make sure we do them justice. It's important that they show each other how collective they are as a group, trying to connect as a team.'
Andy Farrell has told British & Irish Lions fans to cut the 'nonsense' around his son, Owen, having called him up for a fourth tour (Will Kelleher writes).
Owen Farrell, 33, will replace the injured Elliot Daly, 32, who broke his arm on Wednesday against Queensland Reds and then flew home on Thursday from Sydney. Daly is the second member of the squad to be injured on this tour after the scrum half Tomos Williams tore his hamstring against the Western Force last Saturday.
Farrell last played for England at the 2023 World Cup. He was roundly booed by fans in France as the furore over his pre-tournament red card for a high-tackle on Wales' Taine Basham in a warm-up game grew toxic. He suffered badly with his mental health at the World Cup and subsequently stepped back from Test rugby, having won 112 caps. In 2024 he moved to the Top14.
● Read more: Andy Farrell: No more nonsense — Owen is here to compete for Test place
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There are numerous reasons to question the selection of Owen Farrell as a replacement for the British & Irish Lions but nepotism is not one of them (Stuart Barnes writes). His father, Andy, probably considered the cons for longer than the pros. Three tours, six Lions caps and a ferocious determination to win all weigh in his favour. None of the factors can be lightly dismissed (and are not) but all of these unquestionable positives are historic.
Take the past out of the equation, strip away the reputation and consider the present, and you are left with one of the most bewildering selections. The past season is impossible to ignore. Next to nothing went right in France for the former England captain, who was hampered by a groin injury. The impact upon a fly half with a propensity to kick a ball cannot be underestimated. Practice does not make perfect but it makes a bloody big difference. Guys with groin injuries cut back on their kicking. They also work less on their speed.
● Read more: Nepotism? No, but Owen Farrell call-up is delusional and defies logic
Breaking news from Sydney: Henry Pollock has pulled out of the game with a tight calf (Alex Lowe writes). The Lions say it just precautionary. Tadhg Beirne moves to blindside flanker, Scott Cummings starts and the Lions have to ditch their plan for a 6-2 bench, with Duhan Van Der Merwe coming into the 23.
That switch, while unfortunate for Pollock, gives the Lions more of a Test match balance because the guesstimate at this stage is that Andy Farrell will play a big lump at six. Ollie Chessum is in good shape to fill that role because he is in line to start against the Brumbies on Wednesday. There will be a groan around the stadium when this change is announced, though. The Aussie public are excited about Pollock.
Not sure if you've heard, but apparently Andy Farrell has called up Owen Farrell for his fourth British & Irish Lions tour. Huge news if true! Amazingly, it has not been quiet acceptance that has greeted the revelation. Some people are mad for it, some have shouldered the responsibility of being against it. Here are just a few viewpoints…
Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn and Ben White will all make their Lions debuts as Tadhg Beirne captains the side.
Keenan was meant to start in Brisbane against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday but fell ill. Elliot Daly came in for him at the last minute but broke his arm and has gone home. Keenan has recovered to wear the No15 jersey for the Waratahs match, with Kinghorn named on the left wing — his position for Toulouse. Kinghorn arrived from Paris, having won the Top14 final last Saturday.
Henry Pollock comes in to play No6 in a dynamic back-row alongside Ben Earl, at No8, and Josh van der Flier at openside flanker. Pollock has now started in all three back-row jerseys on this tour, proving his versatility.
Ben White, who was an injury replacement for Tomos Williams, who was sent home after tearing his hamstring against the Western Force, makes the bench for the first time. Andy Farrell, the head coach, has gone for a 6-2 split among the substitutes with Marcus Smith the only other back.
Before we get cracking with the details, let's remind you of the team news.
Waratahs
15 Laweson Creighton, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 Joey Walton, 11 Darby Lancaster, 10 Jack Bowen, 9 Teddy Wilson; 1 Tom Lambert, 2 Ethan Dobbins, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Fergus Lee-Warner, 5 Miles Amatosero, 6 Rob Leota, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Hugh Sinclair (capt). Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Jack Barrett, 18 Daniel Botha, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Jamie Adamson, 21 Jack Grant, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Henry O'Donnell.
British & Irish Lions:
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Blair Kinghorn, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 5 James Ryan, 6 Henry Pollock, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Ben Earl. Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Scott Cummings, 21 Jac Morgan, 22 Ben White, 23 Marcus Smith.
Oh I love the smell of British & Irish Lions in the morning. G'day and welcome to The Times' coverage from Brisbane as the British & Irish Lions travel to Sydney to face the Waratahs in the fourth match of the 2025 tour and the third down under. We will have all the action from on and off the field with our reporters down on the ground in Australia. It should be a cracking affair.
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