British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell isn't buying into predictions of a 3-0 series sweep over Australia.

Rugby union has slipped off the back pages and into crisis in Australia. The arrival of the British and Irish Lions might have come just in time to save the sport.

The Lions’ scrum has been strong all tour but the unit of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong has been particularly good. Genge gives you carrying power, Sheehan the athleticism of a centre. Maro Itoje, the captain, was always a certainty along with Jack Conan at No8, despite Earl’s best efforts.

Pete Samu has been prohibited from playing against the British and Irish Lions due to his lack of Super Rugby appearances. The 33-year-old flanker was named in the First Nations and Pasifika XV

With talk of a whitewash of the Wallabies understandable, Australia may have a point to prove in Brisbane in the first Test

Customers who pay by cash at participating Rebel stores can receive one of two specially minted $2 coins in their change from today. A two-coin collector set is also available for purchase.

It is a crying shame to see rugby union drop in popularity Down Under, even as the British and Irish Lions get set to take on Australia.

There were try-scoring freaks, big hits, raw pace, head-turners and upsets at the Australian schoolgirls championships on the Sunshine Coast, with the top teams and match-winning players revealed at the end of the three-day contest.

As the Wallabies prepare to begin its much anticipated series against the touring British & Irish Lions, the next generation of Australian rugby heroes will be watching on.

No more warm-ups, no more rehearsals, it is time for the British & Irish Lions’ first Test against Australia at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

England U20 Men’s head coach Mark Mapletoft and assistant coach Andy Titterrell have named their squad to face Australia in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship fifth-place play-off.