The British & Irish Lions begin the Australian leg of their 2025 tour with a clash against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday afternoon (SA time), and we keep an eye on all things betting related updating this article throughout the week.
LIONS POINTS THE PLAY
Posted 28 June 00h05
The Lions handicap continues to move out and they are now -26.5 and even -27.5 in places.
I am not going to get further involved having taken -16.5 and -19.5 (see below) but if I were looking for a bet at this point I would still look at the -26.5 but also have a good look at the points lines.
Conditions look like being cool with cloud cover but humidity in the 50's and I reckon the over 43.5 Lions points is the play. The comfortably beat this in both their opening games in South Africa 4 years ago.
BET: 4 units Lions over 43.5 points at 19/20 at Hollywoodbets
MONEY POURS ONTO THE LIONS
Posted 26 June 07h51
We initially put up -16.5 but that moved too quickly to be of value so we went again at -19.5.
The line as we predicted has moved out further and it currently sits at -23.5 and even -24.5.
This sounds high but if as expected the Lions get well and truly on top it may not be high enough.
No further bets suggested at this stage though and a review of the points lines will follow when available.
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TEAM NEWS
Posted 26 June 07h44
As expected the Western Force are missing a number if players - a betting update will follow shortly but lets just say the market has moved in the direction we expected having taken the -16.5 and -19.5 earlier in the week.
WESTERN FORCE (1–15): 1. Tom Robertson, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Harry Hoopert, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Reed Prinsep, 9. Nic White (c), 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Ronan Leahy, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Sam Spink, 14. Kurtley Beale, 15. Max Burey
Replacements: 16. Nic Dolly, 17. Charlie Hancock, 18. Ryan Coxon, 19. Sam Carter, 20. Will Harris, 21. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Mac Grealy
LIONS (1–15): 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Dan Sheehan (c), 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Joe McCarthy, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Henry Pollock, 9. Tomos Williams, 10. Finn Russell, 11. James Lowe, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 13. Garry Ringrose, 14. Mack Hansen, 15. Elliot Daly
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Andrew Porter, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Ollie Chessum, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Fin Smith, 23. Huw Jones
LINE MOVED WHILE POSTING
Posted June 22 at 12h00
The line moved as I was posting (hate it when that happens) and it is now -19.5 which I still think is a play as I think this may start -23.5.
REVISED BET: 5 units B&I Lions -19.5 at 9/10 at WSB
LIONS WORTH AN EARLY STRIKE
Posted 22 June 11h53
The early handicap for this game is Lions -16.5 and although they failed dismally with a similar handicap against Argentina I think (after some input from The Admiral) that this line will push out.
The Force are going to be missing key players who are in the Wallaby squad and the Lions will have far more depth and quality.
A look back to the 2021 tour to SA shows the Lions won their opening 2 matches 56-14 (against Golden Lions) and 54-7 (against the Sharks) so although the test series is the goal I am expecting them to be ruthless here as players contest for test places.
Weather looks like being cold and clear.
BET: 5 units B&I Lions -16.5 at 9/10 at WSB
Saturday 28 June 2025, 12:00 SAST (18:00 AWST)
Venue: Perth Stadium, Perth
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Weather: Click here
The British & Irish Lions will be looking to bounce back quickly from a disappointing start to their 2025 campaign, having suffered a 24–28 defeat to Argentina at a packed Aviva Stadium in Dublin just a week ago.
Despite tries from Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, and a penalty try, the Lions were undone by a passionate and accurate Argentine team who exploited early tour rust and new combinations.
Now in Australia, the Lions will face a Western Force side that, while finishing in the bottom half of the Super Rugby Pacific table, showed moments of promise throughout the season. The Force will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of rugby’s most iconic touring teams.
The home team are going to be without their International players Donaldson, Williams and Tizzano.
For Lions head coach Andy Farrell, this match is a crucial opportunity to build momentum and assess combinations as the Test series against the Wallabies looms.
Teams will be posted once announced and an early bet will follow.
Betting as at 22 June 11h40
Western Force +16.5 at 9/10
Lions -16.5 at 9/10
All odds correct at the time of posting but subject to change
