Australia vs British & Irish Lions Prediction: Farrell’s men can rule in Brisbane

The waiting is almost over, as the British & Irish Lions prepare for the first Test against Australia (11:00 BST, Sky Sports Main Event) following six warm-up matches.

Andy Farrell’s men go into the clash as favourites and most of the stats point to a victory for the tourists, but Australia will be determined to prove the doubters wrong. Below are my Australia vs British & Irish Lions predictions, as well as the essential team news and match odds ahead of the clash at the Suncorp Stadium.

Team News

The Wallabies are missing experienced pair Will Skelton and Rob Valetini due to injury, so coach Joe Schmidt has had to make some big decisions in his starting XV.

One of those key calls was to hand a debut to Tom Lynagh at fly half, with regular Noah Lolesio also sidelined.

There is also a first Test appearance for Nick Champion de Crespigny in the back row, while cross-code star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii starts in the midfield.

The Lions have also had their problems, with Elliot Daly and Tomos Williams flying home after tour-ending injuries.

Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen will also miss the first Test, with the starting XV including no fewer than eight Ireland players.

Tom Curry won the battle to start at number seven, while Farrell has put his faith in an all-Scotland midfield of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones.

Australia vs British & Irish Lions Odds

The Lions, who have won just one of their last six series, are 1/5 to win the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday.

Underdogs Australia can be backed at 4/1, while the draw is available at 22/1.

British & Irish Lions -7 handicap @ 4/7

Australia go into this series having slipped to sixth in the world rankings and having won just three of their last eight Tests.

The Lions look to have grown in confidence as the tour has progressed and head into Saturday’s opener off the back of a 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational team.

Brisbane has also been a happy hunting ground for the tourists in the past, winning in Queensland on their last three visits in 2013, 2001 and 1989.

The Wallabies though will not be a pushover and some of their young stars have a point to prove, looking to show that they belong at this level.

Just two points separated the sides when they met at the Suncorp Stadium in 2013 and although the gap looks bigger this time, the hosts will be determined to hang onto the Lions coattails.

Tommy Freeman anytime tryscorer @ 11/10

With Kinghorn and Hansen missing, England winger Freeman has been handed his opportunity to start and build on an impressive year to date.

The Northampton Saints star scored five tries during the 2025 Six Nations and has not looked out of place on the tour so far.

Having crossed twice in Saturday’s host stadium in the 52-12 win over the Reds earlier this month, Freeman can cause the Aussies problems on the flank.

Offers

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