Lions Tour news: Gibson-Park set for Lions debut against Reds

Gibson-Park set for Lions debut against Reds

The British & Irish Lions are set to face a big step up in class as they prepare to play the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Wednesday morning.

The Lions saw off the Western Force 54-7 in their first match on Australian soil but had to dig deep in the first half, and they are 32-point favourites against a Reds side featuring nine Wallaby internationals and two All Blacks.

Following the disappointing tour-ending injury to Lions scrum-half Tomos Williams, the tourists have been boosted by the return to fitness of Jamison Gibson-Park and he will start in the number nine shirt against the Reds, the only member of the starting line-up against the Force to retain his shirt.

Full-back Hugo Keenan is also good to go following an injury layoff and makes his Lions debut.

Wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Tommy Freeman are 13-2 joint-favourites with bet365 to score the opening try while the firm have pitched their total points line at 63.5.

The Queensland Reds reached the Super Rugby playoffs in the season just finished, going out to champions the Crusaders, and won eight of their 14 regular-season matches.

Wallaby skipper Harry Wilson and half-backs Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh have not been released from the international squad.

The Lions were 16-point favourites when they faced the Reds on their 2013 tour and edged the match 22-12.

Wednesday's teams

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell (c); 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan; 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas; 1 Aidan Ross, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 4 Josh Canham, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Seru Uru, 7 John Bryan, 8 Joe Brial.
Replacements:  16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Angus Blyth, 21 Connor Vest, 22 Louis Werchon, 23 Isaac Henry

Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan;14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Garry Ringrose 

British & Irish Lions vs Queensland Reds betting odds

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2025 British & Irish Lions Tour schedule

The British & Irish Lions will play ten matches this summer and after beginning their schedule with a 24-28 defeat to Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, flew to Perth where they outclassed Western Force 54-7.

The 38-man squad next face Queensland Reds at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, where the first Test against Australia takes place on Saturday, July 19.

Here is the full itinerary:

Odds correct at time of publication.

2025 British & Irish Lions squad in full

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Ronan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier.

Backs: Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Tomos Williams.

Read Jack Ogalbe's thoughts on the Lions squad

Where can I watch the 2025 Lions tour?

The 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia will again be shown live on Sky Sports.

Who is the captain of the Lions?

England forward Maro Itoje was named as the captain of the British & Irish Lions at May's squad announcement at the O2 in London. He is the first English captain of the Lions since Martin Johnson led them on the 2001 tour down under and only the third in 89 years.

Who is the Lions' head coach?

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was appointed as leader of the British & Irish Lions in 2024. Farrell, who enjoyed a stellar career in rugby league with Wigan, is currently head coach of Ireland, whom he has guided to two Six Nations titles. 

What is the betting for the 2025 Lions Tour?

Here are the latest odds for the British & Irish Lions' three-match Test series against Australia's Wallabies.

Odds correct at 11am on Thursday, June 26. Subject to change.

Read more:

Jack Ogalbe: Ignore the Lions naysayers and strap in for an amazing summer 

Graham Woods: Instinct and experience key for Lions punters 

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