- The schedule for Lions' 2025 tour of Australia has been confirmed
- The meeting in Dublin will add to the feeling that Andy Farrell will take charge of the team
- The test will take place at the Aviva Stadium, not the larger capacity Croke Park
The Lions will make a historic first appearance in Ireland ahead of their 2025 tour of Australia – hosting a warm-up Test against Argentina at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.
This preliminary, fundraising home match for the combined British and Irish team follows a similar match against Japan in Edinburgh, before the final Covid-era tour in 2021. On that occasion, the Lions defeated the Brave Blossoms 28-10 at Murrayfield. .
The last meeting with Argentina was in 2005, when the teams drew 25-25 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
The Lions have now completed a 10-match program in 2025, made possible through a historic agreement with both the Premiership and United Rugby Championship, to secure the early release of players.
Taking on the Pumas will ensure the four-nation touring team will have some meaningful, competitive game time before facing potential under-strength provincial opposition Down Under, ahead of a Test series against the Wallabies.
A British and Irish Lions vs Argentina Test will take place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in 2025
Gareth Cooper in action for the Lions in their 2005 Cardiff warm-up match against Argentina
The Lions took on Japan at Murrayfield in Edinburgh ahead of their 2021 tour
Dublin is the location of the Lions' administrative headquarters, but assigning this match to the Irish capital will reinforce growing suspicions that Andy Farrell – Ireland's England head coach – will take charge of the southern hemisphere's next crusade.
However, staging the match at Aviva Stadium will severely limit ticket and hospitality revenues as the national stadium has a capacity of just 52,000 people, while nearby Croke – home to Gaelic Games – can accommodate a further 30,000 spectators.
Tickets for the clash with Argentina will go on sale from March 2024 and a sellout is certain.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and, in a very significant development, will also be broadcast live on terrestrial television.
Lions chief executive Ben Calveley said: 'We are delighted to confirm details of this match, which is an important part of the overall tour.
“The opportunity to play in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium in front of more than 50,000 Lions fans will make for a wonderful occasion and the perfect farewell.
'British & Irish Lions tours have built a rich heritage over 130 years of touring, but it's important that we look for ways to evolve our tours.
“This match is an example of that and builds on the success of the pre-tour match against Japan at Murrayfield in 2021.
“The 1888 Cup Match in Dublin will give even more supporters the opportunity to be part of the Lions' exciting journey and we look forward to witnessing a sea of red in Dublin before we head to Australia.”
The news of the match in Dublin reinforces the assumption that Andy Farrell will coach the team
The Lions were defeated 2-1 by South Africa on their Covid-affected tour in 2021
Lions chairman Ieuan Evans added: “This match will be a great occasion, but also an important part of our preparation for the 2025 tour as we look to claim our first Lions Series victory since 2013. '
Kevin Potts, the chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union, welcomed the agreement to host a Lions match in Dublin, saying: 'I am delighted that Irish fans will have the opportunity to see one of the most popular and iconic seeing rugby teams play for the very first time. first time in Ireland.
“The IRFU is very proud to host this 'home match' ahead of the 2025 Tour, and it promises to be a memorable celebration for Irish rugby in our 150th anniversary season.”
The Argentine Rugby Union is delighted to have given the Pumas the opportunity to take on the mighty Lions again and president Gabriel Travaglini said: 'It is a great honor and privilege to play against The British & Irish Lions. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event for our players, and it's a great opportunity to play against a team with so much prestige and history.”