Australia vs British & Irish Lions – Test series: Live score, team news and updates as Andy Farrell’s men look to overpower the Wallabies in series opener

Just under an hour until kick-off here and Brisbane has turned red. There are so many thousands of Lions fans in the city now and they appear to significantly out-number the Wallabies supporters in gold.

Two days ago, it was still quiet in Queensland’s state capital but, in keeping with tradition, the British and Irish invasion has happened late, on a massive scale.

Pubs and bars on nearby Caxton Street have been thronging with spectators for hours. It feels like, after a relatively low-key first few weeks, this tour has ignited.

Watching new Wallabies sensation Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii warm up is a fascinating spectacle which highlights his meticulous nature, as well as his remarkable range of skills.

One of the cross-code centre’s preferred routines is to stand bare-footed on the grass to ensure he feels ‘grounded’ on the pitch and there are also quiet spells of meditation and visualisation.

He has been doing a series of complex handling drills to sharpen reflexes, then practised handing-off defenders by thrusting his hand repeatedly into one post.

Next, Suaalii showcased his incredible leaping height to practise taking high catches and that is an aspect of his game which poses a big threat to the Lions here.

Joseph Suaalii returns to the centres alongside Len Ikitau. But the pair have a tough task ahead of them – stopping the bulldozing Sione Tuipulotu, who interestingly grew up in Frankston, Victoria.

The Scotland captain is now returning to Australia, having first headed overseas back in 2018 to pursue opportunities in Japan.

Tuipulotu enjoyed an excellent outing against Suaali at Murrayfield back in November, when Scotland claimed a 27-13 victory.

Suaalii notably hit Tuipulotu with a fierce tackle but suffered an injury in the process.

And tensions flared, with Suaalii biting back at a sledge from Tuipulotu, saying: ‘See you next time.’

Suaalii has refused to add more fuel to the fire this week, but there is no doubt the pair will be keen to land a few big hits on each other this week.

Read more on what Suaalii said on the situation below…

A string of injuries have forced Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to re-shuffle his squad around for today’s match.

The big news is that Tom Lynagh has been selected to play at fly-half in the absence of Noah Lolesio, who suffered a neck injury during Australia’s warm-up matcha against Fiji. Lynagh will follow in the footsteps of his legendary father, Michael, who becomes the first Aussie player to follow his dad in pulling on the No 10 jersey against the Lions during the 1989 tour.

Meanwhile, Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his Test debut for the Wallabies at blindside flanker toda, with Rob Valentini being ruled out with a calf injury.

In the front row, James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa line up in between hooker Matt Faessler, with Taniela Tupou missing out on selection.

6. Nick Champion de Crespigny**

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

Here’s a sneak peek inside the Lions dressing room, which right now will be a hub of activity.

I wonder what Andy Farrell will be telling his team before they head out to warm up?

It’s pumping on Caxton Street outside the stadium. An atmosphere worthy of the occasion. There were a few empty seats in the warm-up games but tonight it really feels like the hottest ticket in town.

Just a month after the British and Irish Lions touched down in Australia the big day has finally arrived.

Twelve years after the Lions last travelled Down Under, they return to the Suncorp Stadium this evening to get their 2025 Test series underway and will be keen to get off to a fast start against the Wallabies.

Andy Farrell’s side come up against a weakened Wallabies side, who will be without several key players, including fly-half Noah Lolesio, Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, all being ruled out with injuries.

But the Lions boss is urging caution against the Wallabies, insisting his team are not getting ‘overconfident’.

‘There’s no overconfidence at all,’ he said ahead of the match.

‘It’s having an inner confidence within our group that we are going to go execute the plan when it matters.’

He added: ‘I haven’t played against many Australian sides that are underdogs. I’m sure they’ll want to prove a point in terms of that type of thing.

‘If you’re in a position where it comes down to this every 12 years and you get to pull the shirt on for the Wallabies and the privilege that goes with that, representing your country, they’ll be fighting tooth and nail.’

Stay with us, as we’ll be bringing you live updates, commentary and analysis from the Suncorp Stadium here at Mail Sport.