Jim Gavin on the campaign trail
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06 Oct 2025
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06 Oct 2025
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Head coach Andy Farrell, centre, speaks with Bundee Aki, left, Tadhg Beirne during the British & Irish Lions rugby squad training at the UCD Bowl in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Kildare man Tadhg Beirne is one of only three Irish players picked to start the first game of the British and Irish Lions' 2025 tour, which will take place in the Aviva Stadium.
The Eadestown man lines up alongside Finlay Bealham and Bundee Aki for the Lions's clash with Argentina on Friday at 8pm. Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong and Mack Hansen are listed on the bench.
Nine English players are set to start the game with Maro Itoje captaining Andy Farrell's side for the first match that the Lions have played in Ireland.
15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England)
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (c)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England)
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
After this game, the group will head to Australia for the rest of their summer tour.
READ NEXT: Key fixtures for weekend of crucial Kildare club action and Tailteann Cup semi-final
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