Frank Quin looks at ‘Life with the 2025 Lions’

By rugby correspondent FRANK QUINN
THE end is near for the 2025 Lions Tour with one test to go (11am, 2nd August) and already two up. The test selection was probably a bit easier for Andy Farrell this week. Nine Irish players start, 60% of team selection and one Irish player (Kelliher) in the replacements. With the tests secure they are sure to enjoy it.
You could forgive Farrell any omissions that you might have selected, but face the fact that it is a dead rubber at this stage and time for Bondi Beach and forget Sydney. Matches are there to be won and after such a close finish to game number two, the natural thing to do is to get one back for The Aussies and this is as soon as possible, after a week. The Lions have won the series but there is great value in winning for the Australians, who are on a serious team building exercise and a new coach in the wings for Super Rugby.
Some of the games lacked a bit of quality, excitement and entertainmentand fans can make their own minds up on that one. The first game against the Pumas, even though the Lions lost it, got them into the mood for Rugby. As a four countries squad it takes time to organise. They did get the needed winning result for a touring side and the attendance at the MCG was around the 90,000 capacity mark, a huge boost for the event and for the tourism business in Australia. The one regret is that it was not shown on terrestrial TV around the world.
“And now the end is near, it’s time to draw the final curtain”!!!
Lions tour finishes 2nd August – The Tour de France finished last Sunday with a repeat winner. in GAA the Hurling and Football All Irelands are finished with Tipperary and Kerry emerging winners and over the past few weeks sport was certainly the winner. Wimbledon is done and dusted with two new champions. In Cricket there is one more test to play in the India/England entertainment fixtures, the 5 day extravaganza is starting and England are leading 2-1. Add in England Women’s thrilling win in the European Soccer Cup which finished with hilarious celebrations on TV and, as Autumn is calling, we will soon see the rugby season click in.

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