First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions rugby union predictions, betting tips and odds

Where to watch First Nations & Pasifika XV vs British & Irish Lions 

You can watch First Nations & Pasifika XV vs British & Irish Lions on Sky Sports Action at 11am on Tuesday, July 22

Best bet

Over 64.5 points
2pts 10-11 general

Duhan van der Merwe to score two or more tries
1pt 7-4 bet365

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First Nations & Pasifika XV vs British & Irish Lions odds

Odds correct at time of publishing

First Nations & Pasifika XV vs British & Irish Lions predictions

All eyes are on the Test series after the Lions' 27-19 victory over Australia on Saturday, but this match should be far from a sideshow and we could be in for an entertaining encounter in Melbourne.

The Lions management has stressed there are still Test places up for grabs, but seven of the starting line-up and four of the replacements set to play the First Nations & Pasifika XV were not even in the original touring party and have jetted in since.

Preparation time is at a premium on all Lions tours, and the 11 additions are going in even more undercooked. Structure and patterns look set to give way to an open contest and there are players on both sides who can take the chance to shine.

The home side are led by fly-half Kurtley Beale, who featured in all three Tests against the Lions in 2013, and there are plenty of players in their backline who have the skills and instinct to play with flair.

In their last match before the Test series, the Lions came up against an Invitational AU & NZ side who were unable to break through and ended up on the end of a 48-0 defeat.

However, this Lions side may be less sturdy given the short time many of their players have had in camp and the First Nations & Pasifika XV should be able to make their mark on the scoreboard.

The Lions have been given a handicap in the 30s, nearly double the line they were handed against the Invitational AU & NZ side, but they have the attacking resources to pile up a big score and this game could well pass the 65-point mark. Rain is forecast during the day in Melbourne but the evening should be clear.

One player with good reason to remember the win over Invitational AU & NZ is winger Duhan van der Merwe, who ran in a hat-trick. That brought his Lions tally to nine tries in 11 appearances, and although it seems unlikely he will feature in the Tests, this is exactly the kind of match in which he tends to star. He loves to run from deep and challenge defenders in broken play, and this is the perfect stage for him to shine.

First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions team news & line-ups

First Nations & Pasifika XV: 15 Andy Muirhead; 14 Triston Reilly, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Filipo Daugunu; 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Kalani Thomas; 1 Lington Ieli, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Darcy Swain, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Seru Uru, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima. 

Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 Marley Pearce, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Jarrah McLeod. 

British & Irish Lions: 15 Blair Kinghorn; 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Jamie Osborne, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Duhan van der Merwe; 10  Fin Smith, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Jamie George, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 James Ryan, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Jac Morgan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Henry Pollock. 

Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland,18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Gregor Brown, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Garry Ringrose. 

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Read more on the Lions:

Lions Tour: Tourists 1-0 up after brilliant opening hour in Brisbane 

British & Irish Lions: Squad announcement, betting news and tour schedule 

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