Lions vs. Argentina: The Fight for a Place in the Starting XV Begins Now

The Lions Face Argentina in a Key Match Before the Tour of Australia

A few weeks ago, Andy Farrell, coach of the British & Irish Lions, began planning the starting lineup for the first test against Australia on July 19. Since then, he has revised the list five times, discarding those first drafts. Uncertainty is high, with six crucial matches before the inaugural test.

“You really can’t think about that because there’s such strong competition. That’s how it should be,” Farrell commented.

Andy Farrell

Speculation about team combinations and cohesion will give way to tangible evidence in the coming weeks. Friday’s match between the Lions and Argentina marks the official start of the summer tour. Although they haven’t left local shores yet, it’s in Dublin where players will seek to secure a starting position or see their opportunities fade.

For the 15 players in the starting lineup, the expectation of their teammates and the competition from the bench and the stands will be intense. The pressure is palpable, as the battle for a place in the first test begins in earnest at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.

A Team in Search of Unity

After announcing the squad at the beginning of May, the team met in southwest London, traveled to the Algarve in Portugal for a conditioning camp, and then headed to Dublin for this match against the Pumas. The team has begun to forge bonds, temporarily setting aside the division between the four nations. However, the tests against the Wallabies will define this tour.

• Winning would consolidate the class of 2025 with the victorious teams of 2013, 1997, and 1989.
• Losing would mean joining those who promised much but fell short.

For Farrell, these early stages are a balancing act. The Bath and Leicester players, who participated in the Gallagher Premiership final, and Leinster’s URC contingent joined the group on Monday. He also faces injury concerns: Zander Fagerson could rejoin, while Jamison Gibson-Park (glute strain), Hugo Keenan (calf) and Huw Jones (Achilles tendon) are absent. Blair Kinghorn remains in France with his club, Toulouse. Tadhg Furlong, although he has been out since the beginning of May, will be on the bench on Friday. With this context, Farrell has revealed his team to face the Pumas. Friday’s lineup features familiar faces, with nine England players in the starting team, including the Northampton half-back pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith. The midfield promises impact with the combination of Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu. In the three-quarter line, Duhan van der Merwe, Tommy Freeman and Marcus Smith could be starters against the Wallabies.

The third line is characterized by its speed and mobility, with Tom Curry, Ben Earl and Jac Morgan, one of the two Welsh players on the tour. Although the first line that plays on Friday may not repeat against the Wallabies, Finlay Bealham will still experience the excitement of being called up as a replacement for Zander Fagerson. The second line could be formed by the starting pair Maro Itoje and Tadhg Beirne.

“I really enjoy spending time with Tadhg. We built a good relationship on the last tour and it’s incredible that we’ve been able to continue it,” Itoje commented.

Maro Itoje

The team should have a lot of power in the attacking line. The Smith-Smith combination could bring unexpected plays. The choice of Marcus Smith stands out, who is mainly considered a fly-half, but Farrell has included Finn Russell and Fin Smith as fly-halves for the tour. Marcus Smith is in the versatile position of being able to cover both the fly-half and fullback positions. His second tour with the Lions begins as a fullback.

What Importance Does Friday’s Starting XV Have?

The key question is how many of this group will be starters against the Wallabies. History offers a mixed picture. On average, since 2001, five players who play on Friday will be starters against the Wallabies. The Lions have had mixed results in these preparation matches, which can sometimes be problematic. In 2017, the Lions faced the NZ Barbarians in Whangarei and won a very close match 13-7. In 2005, only three players from the team that drew 25-25 against Argentina played in the first test. On the other hand, seven players from the team that played against Western Australia in 2001 and seven from the match against Japan in 2021 were selected for the first test against Australia and South Africa, respectively. However, they can also be costly: Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric suffered shoulder injuries against Japan in 2021. It’s a difficult path, but the players know they can’t hold back, and Farrell expects a test match intensity from the start, even though the match doesn’t count towards the ranking.

“This is a full test match for us. There’s no doubt about that. Everyone is eager to get started,” Farrell said.

Andy Farrell

Farrell seeks “cohesion” and “connection” on Friday. He wants the Lions to present “the best version of themselves… collectively.” At the same time, Argentina will seek to take advantage of their opportunities. The Argentinian team will be affected by the absence of Top 14 players, such as Juan Cruz Mallia and Guido Pettiare.

“It’s a challenge with many new faces and only a few training sessions together”, said coach Felipe Contepomi.

Felipe Contepomi

Despite the absences, Argentina, ranked fifth in the world, will present a tough test for the Lions. Regardless of the result, Friday’s match will have an impact on the final outcome of this tour. The real value of this match will be judged with the perspective of time. If the Lions win the series, the process to achieve that victory will have begun here. If they lose, what happens on Friday will be the beginning of the end.

“This is our first opportunity to set the standard we want, the type of team we want to be and give our first impression”, commented Itoje.

Maro Itoje

The main unknowns are injuries and suspensions, which could derail plans. Farrell doesn’t focus on avoiding injuries, as rugby is a contact sport. The excitement and uncertainty of the Lions tours begin on Friday. Players have been warned: now is the time to impress.

“We’ve had good preparation, and if you want to be a good Lions player, you have to perform at your best from the start. We want to see these players compete. They should want this team to put pressure on everyone in the stands, as that’s what the jersey should do. It should bring out the best in everyone, and everyone should rise to that challenge,” concluded Farrell.

Andy Farrell

How to watch the match between the British and Irish Lions and Argentina

British & Irish Lions match schedule for the tour of Australia

The Lions’ full 38-man squad

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