Lions vs Argentina: Prediction & Opening Game Preview
- The British & Irish Lions are set to clash with Argentina in an uncapped test match on Friday, June 20, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
- Argentina arrived in Dublin at the start of the week, but are missing several players still involved in the Top 14 finals.
- Joe Robinson, editor of Rugby World, predicts a narrow victory for the British & Irish Lions, with a score of 26-23.
Anticipate the roar! News Directory 3 provides expert predictions for the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions vs. Argentina clash in Dublin. This match marks the lions’ 2025 tour kickoff, with coach Andy Farrell assessing his squad. Discover the insights of Joe Robinson and Josh Graham, who foresee a closely contested game, with the British & Irish Lions predicted to secure a victory. Key players missing for Argentina add intrigue to the contest. Will the Lions’ attack prove too strong? Find out about the potential scores, and the impact of injuries within the opening match. Uncover the strategies and player combinations to watch. Discover what’s next as both teams prepare for a competitive tour.
British & Irish Lions Face Argentina: Expert Predictions
Updated June 19, 2025
The British & Irish Lions are set to clash with Argentina in an uncapped test match on Friday, June 20, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This game marks the start of the Lions’ 2025 tour of Australia and provides head coach Andy Farrell with his first chance to evaluate the squad in a game situation. The majority of the Lions squad convened in Dublin on June 8 for a training camp in Portugal before returning to Ireland in preparation for this opening match.
Argentina arrived in Dublin at the start of the week, but are missing several players still involved in the Top 14 finals. Despite these absences, the match is expected to be a tough encounter.
Joe Robinson, editor of Rugby World, predicts a narrow victory for the British & Irish Lions, with a score of 26-23. Robinson believes that despite limited preparation time, the Lions should demonstrate progress. He highlighted the strong English contingent and the exciting half-back pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, as well as the center and wing combinations, which he expects to provide attacking impetus.
Player names will be on the back of our jerseys for the first time tomorrow! 🦁#Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/voXnMgTqGw
– British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 19, 2025
Josh Graham, deputy editor, anticipates a Lions victory of 27-18. He notes that Argentina, despite missing key players, will provide a stern test, exceeding the challenge posed by Japan four years ago. Graham emphasizes that Farrell will prioritize a win without injuries, while also valuing the opportunity to build resilience early in the tour.
What’s next
Following the match against Argentina, the British & Irish lions will continue their preparations for the tour of Australia. The team will focus on building cohesion and refining their strategies ahead of the test series.