Could Las Vegas host the British and Irish Lions in 2029? It’s looking more and more possible as the iconic city joins a shortlist of U.S. locations to stage a landmark game before the Lions head to New Zealand.
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The USA Stopover: Breaking Up the Journey with a Showstopper
Adding a Stateside fixture would not only break up the grueling journey to New Zealand—famous as the furthest of the Lions’ tour destinations—but would also serve as a blockbuster commercial opportunity. The probable opponent? Either the USA Eagles or a Barbarians team packed with global stars.
Learning from 2017’s Jet-Lagged Kick-Off
Back in 2017, after 48 hours of travel to Auckland, the jet-lagged Lions managed a rough 13-7 win over a Provincial Barbarians squad. Could a Vegas stop be the ticket to getting them off to a fresher start?
2025 in Australia Up Next—With a Taster in Dublin
Before the 2029 tour, the Lions will tackle Australia in 2025, and a Dublin face-off with Argentina next June will set the tone for their Southern Hemisphere adventures.
Vegas’ Rise as a Sports Mecca
With the NFL’s Super Bowl, a Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the NBA’s In-Season tournament already on the Vegas lineup this year, Sin City is fast becoming a sports hub. And it’s not just American sports—Vegas has already dipped its toes into rugby league, hosting NRL matches and England’s women’s rugby league team in 2024.
Building the U.S. Rugby Hype for 2031 and Beyond
With the U.S. hosting the Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033, a 2029 Lions clash could be the perfect warm-up for American audiences. Expect the Lions’ Vegas showdown to add some serious heat to rugby’s growing American fan base.
Bookies Reckon This is the Lions Squad for the 2025 Aussie Tour – And Some Picks Will Surprise You
The British & Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2025 is generating excitement, with bookies now tipping a likely squad.
While a few seasoned players seem almost guaranteed, there are some unexpected names rumored to earn their stripes.
2025 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD (36)
BACK-THREE (6)
The back-three boasts a dynamic mix, with Duhan van der Merwe and James Lowe bringing powerful running and finishing ability. Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are tipped to add youthful flair and speed, while Hugo Keenan and Darcy Graham round out the squad with their solid defensive skills.
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland) – 1/16
- James Lowe (Ireland) – 1/8
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland) – 1/5
- Tommy Freeman (England) – 4/9
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (England) – 8/11
- Darcy Graham (Scotland) – 2/1
CENTRE (4)
In the centre, Bundee Aki is a strong favorite for his physicality, while Ollie Lawrence has made a name for himself with his impressive form. Sione Tuipulotu and Robbie Henshaw provide additional versatility and experience.
- Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ollie Lawrence (England) – 1/4
- Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) – 2/7
- Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) – 8/11
FLY-HALVES (3)
The fly-half selection highlights Finn Russell’s creativity and flair, with Marcus Smith and George Ford both showcasing tactical nous and playmaking ability.
- Finn Russell (Scotland) – 1/10
- Marcus Smith (England) – 8/15
- George Ford (England) – 8/11
SCRUM-HALVES (3)
A competitive scrum-half group sees Jamison Gibson-Park favored for his quick service and decision-making, while Alex Mitchell and Ben White are both strong contenders.
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland) – 8/11
- Alex Mitchell (England) – 11/10
- Ben White (Scotland) – 11/10
PROP (3)
The front row is anchored by stalwarts like Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter, while Ellis Genge and Joe Marler add depth and experience.
- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – 1/8
- Andrew Porter (Ireland) – 1/7
- Zander Fagerson (Scotland) – 4/11
- Ellis Genge (England) – 4/6
- Joe Marler (England) – 5/6
- Pierre Schoeman (Scotland) – 5/4
HOOKER (3)
With Dan Sheehan leading the way, the hookers are expected to be agile and mobile, crucial for the fast-paced style of play the Lions aim to adopt.
- Dan Sheehan (Ireland) – 1/10
- Jamie George (England) – 8/15
- Elliot Dee (Wales) – 6/5
LOCK (5)
In the locks, Maro Itoje remains a cornerstone, complemented by Tadhg Beirne’s athleticism and versatility.
- Maro Itoje (England) – 1/33
- Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) – 1/10
- Joe McCarthy (Ireland) – 4/6
- Ollie Chessum (England) – 8/11
- George Martin (England) – 11/10
BACK-ROW (6)
Finally, the back row combines experience and dynamism, with Josh van der Flier and Courtney Lawes bringing a wealth of international experience and physicality.
- Caelan Doris (Ireland) – 1/5
- Ben Earl (England) – 1/5
- Josh van der Flier (Ireland) – 1/3
- Courtney Lawes (England) – 8/15
- Tommy Reffell (Wales) – 4/6
- Rory Darge (Scotland) – 6/4
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EDITORS PICKS:
- Huge blow for Scotland as Darcy Graham will miss Springboks clash
- RFU issues statements in defence of former boss Eddie Jones after allegations surface
- England team to play Australia: Borthwick names XV early again
- Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll went viral for incident at an airport
- England forward has been handed a big ban following altercation with a fan
Name England’s Matchday 22 from the 2003 Rugby World Cup final?
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