In a summer filled with hope, intensity and high-quality Test rugby, the British & Irish Lions now arrive at the final destination of their 2025 tour: the mighty Accor Stadium in Sydney. While the result of the series is already decided, with the Lions clinching victories in Brisbane (27-19) and Melbourne (29-26), the third and final Test remains far from a dead rubber. For the Wallabies, national pride is on the line. For the Lions, there’s the chance to seal a clean sweep and make history.
It’s a fixture packed with subplots. Will Andy Farrell’s squad go unbeaten through Australia and cap off one of the most complete Lions campaigns of the professional era? Can Joe Schmidt, now in charge of the Wallabies and himself a former Ireland head coach, muster a response from a team that has fought gamely but fallen short?
For Irish rugby fans, there’s a particular flavour to this Lions tour – a sense of identity and pride, with so many key contributors to the squad hailing from Dublin, Limerick, Galway and beyond.
Irish fingerprints are all over this series. And now, as the teams prepare to lock horns at the 83,500-seat Accor Stadium in front of a boisterous Australian crowd, we’re set for one final roar.
Check out the pre-match odds at Tonybet.
Match details
The final Test will be played on Saturday 2nd August at Accor Stadium in Sydney, a venue familiar to rugby fans around the world, not least for hosting the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The stadium, with its cavernous modern design and retractable roof, promises a perfect stage for a clash of hemispheres. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm local time in Sydney (10:45 BST), ensuring that Irish fans can gather for a Saturday morning of top-tier rugby.
Referee duties will be handled by Italy’s Andrea Piardi, a rising star in world officiating who also oversaw the first Test. Piardi’s composure and game management under pressure have impressed throughout this tour, though his decision to allow Hugo Keenan’s match-winning try in Melbourne – despite protests over a ruck infringement – has sparked debate in both hemispheres.
In Ireland and the UK, the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action, with coverage starting an hour before kick-off. Australian viewers can tune into Stan Sport and Channel 9, while worldwide streaming is available through the official Lions Tour App and selected international rights holders.
British & Irish Lions predicted line-up
With the series secure, Andy Farrell could rotate, but all signs point to a relatively full-strength side. His Lions are not in Sydney to merely fulfil a fixture; they want dominance. With a strong Irish core, this team has taken on the structure, cohesion and calm that defined Ireland’s Six Nations success under Farrell. Familiar combinations, iron discipline and tactical clarity have been the trademarks of this tour.
The front row is likely to feature Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong – a trio that has provided scrummaging excellence and mobility in open play. Sheehan, in particular, has stood out with his dynamic carries and pinpoint lineout throwing. Expect Ellis Genge to feature off the bench, bringing raw aggression in the final 20.
The second row sees the leadership of Maro Itoje alongside either James Ryan or Joe McCarthy, another powerful Leinster lock who impressed during the mid-week fixtures. That blend of dogged breakdown work and athletic maul defence has been instrumental in nullifying Australia’s set pieces.
In the back row, the Lions are spoiled for choice. Josh van der Flier continues to be a tour de force at openside, while Tadhg Beirne has contributed vital turnovers and lineout steals. Expect Jack Conan or Caelan Doris to slot in at number 8, both offering high work rates and a carrying threat around the fringes.
At halfback, Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell seem locked in. Gibson-Park’s tempo and Russell’s flair have made for a thrilling but surprisingly stable combination. Russell’s long, flat passes have unlocked the Wallabies’ edge defence repeatedly, while his touch-finding boot has ensured territorial dominance.
In the midfield, Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose offer both grunt and guile. Aki, as ever, has led with physicality and controlled aggression, while Ringrose has been intelligent in both his distribution and alignment.
The back three could see Hugo Keenan retain the 15 shirt after a tour-defining display in Melbourne. Mack Hansen, whose return to his birth country has made headlines, continues to shine. His connection with Gibson-Park and Ringrose gives the Lions a smart, fluid attack. Duhan van der Merwe may retain the 11 jersey, offering line-breaking power and try-scoring instincts that are hard to ignore.
Make no mistake, this is a Lions team that plays in Farrell’s image: bold, controlled and unflinching under pressure.
Wallabies predicted line-up
Australia’s performances on this tour have been gutsy, if uneven. The Wallabies led deep into the second Test before succumbing to a late surge. Injuries have disrupted momentum, but coach Joe Schmidt – a man who knows many of these Irish players inside-out – is expected to stick with his most experienced available team.
The front row may include James Slipper at loosehead and Allan Alaalatoa at tighthead, with Matt Faessler likely to start at hooker if Dave Porecki remains sidelined. Australia’s scrum has held up well but hasn’t dominated – particularly when the Lions introduce fresh legs after 50 minutes.
In the engine room, Nick Frost and Will Skelton provide mobility and muscle. Skelton’s inclusion in the second Test saw better gain-line penetration, and his leadership in the pack is invaluable. If he is fit, he starts.
The back row is expected to include Rob Valetini at number 8, with Fraser McReight and Tom Hooper or Langi Gleeson forming the flanks. The Wallabies need to disrupt at the breakdown to stand any chance – something they managed intermittently in Melbourne.
In the halves, Noah Lolesio may make way after a shaky outing, with Ben Donaldson or Tom Lynagh stepping in at fly-half. At scrum-half, Nic White brings experience and game management, but pressure has been mounting to give Jake Gordon another opportunity.
The midfield will likely feature Len Ikitau and Hunter Paisami, both solid in defence but needing to offer more attacking variation. Joseph Sua’ali’i, playing at outside centre or wing, is a raw talent with game-breaking ability, though his defensive reads have been exposed.
In the backfield, Max Jorgensen and Andrew Kellaway offer speed and aerial security, but they’ll need to be sharp. The Lions’ kick chase, particularly from Ringrose and Keenan, has been unrelenting.
This Wallabies team has talent – however, cohesion, particularly under pressure, remains a work in progress.
Can the Wallabies secure a win? Find out the pre-match odds at Tonybet.
H2H analysis
In the two Tests played so far, the Lions’ dominance has come down to two core areas: forward control and tactical kicking. Let’s break this down further.
The forwards have dictated the tone of both Tests. The Lions’ scrum has been technically proficient – not necessarily overpowering, but rarely under pressure. Where they’ve excelled is at the ruck. Van der Flier and Beirne, in particular, have disrupted Australia’s attempts to build continuity. In Melbourne, the Lions won five jackal turnovers inside the Wallabies’ half – a game-shaping statistic.
In the lineout, Sheehan’s accuracy and Ryan’s calling have allowed the Lions to build consistent platforms. Australia, by contrast, have lost key throws and suffered from timing issues – often handing back possession in the attacking third.
The breakdown is perhaps the most telling battleground. Farrell’s men flood the ruck at lightning speed, winning penalties or slowing the ball long enough to reset defensive lines. This has strangled the Wallabies’ ability to play with tempo, isolating ball-carriers and making it easier for the Lions to stack the defensive line.
In the backs, the Lions have had the better of it – largely due to Russell’s control and the inside-centre work of Aki. Australia’s midfield defence, while brave, has been turned repeatedly by smart kicks in behind and crisp passing sequences. Ringrose’s ability to both shut down threats and offer outside support has proved vital. His understanding with Keenan and Hansen – honed through Irish international play – has neutralised the Wallabies’ counter-attacking threat.
The tactical kicking battle has also favoured the Lions. Gibson-Park’s box kicks have been contestable and precise, while Russell has mixed spiral bombs with grubbers and diagonal kicks that have stretched Australia’s back three.
If the Wallabies want to win in Sydney, they must win the breakdown, protect their own lineout, and play with far more pace. Anything less, and the Lions will cruise to 3-0.
Our prediction for the fixture
Given what we’ve seen across the first two Tests – and the clear psychological edge now held by the Lions – it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where the Wallabies can turn things around. They’ve had their moments: the explosive first half in Brisbane, the clever kicking game in Melbourne, the heroic try-saving tackles by Ikitau. However, in the end, the Lions’ class and cohesion have outlasted every Australian thrust.
Expect the Lions to start fast, as they did in Test Two. They’ll look to take the crowd out of the game, lean into their set-piece advantage, and force Australia to chase from behind. That’s when mistakes come – and that’s when Hansen and Keenan start to thrive.
Our prediction: Lions 28, Wallabies 16. Not a blowout, but a comprehensive series sweep. For Irish rugby fans, it will be another feather in the cap of this golden generation, a tour where Irish players didn’t just contribute, but led.
For those tracking the game more closely or looking to have a flutter on the result, Tonybet continues to offer top-tier rugby betting odds, with live in-play options, handicap spreads, and specials on player performances – including Irish stars.
