HARLEQUINS’ MARCUS SMITH GETS BRITISH & IRISH LIONS CALL UP

Harkequins’ Marcus Smith has been named in Andy Farrell’s 38-man British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer.

His inclusion in the squad announcement at the O2 today was met with a massive cheer as doubts mounted because of his switch in position from fly half to fullback.

Harlequins’ 26 year old mercurial fly-half will head to the Southern Hemisphere on his second Lions Tour after he was a late call-up in 2021 for the tour to South Africa.

He is the only Quins player to make the squad which will be captained by Saracens and England’s Maro Itoje.

The Lions travel to Australia for a three-test series against Joe Schmidt’s men, which will also include six additional fixtures against three Super Rugby outfits plus an ANZAC XV, Pasifika XV and Argentina.

The Lions kick-off their summer tour with a stern test against Los Pumas in Dublin at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, 20th June before heading down under for their remaining eight fixtures.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS 2025 SCHEDULE:

• The Lions v Argentina – Friday, 20th June – Aviva Stadium, Ireland (20:00 GMT / 07:00 AU)
• Western Force v The Lions – Saturday, 28th June – Optus Stadium, Dublin (10:45 GMT / 17:45 AU)
• Queensland Reds v The Lions – Wednesday, 2nd July – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (10:45 GMT / 19:45 AU)
• NSW Waratahs v The Lions – Saturday, 5th July – Allianz Stadium, Sydney (10:45 GMT / 19:45 AU)
• ACT Brumbies v The Lions – Wednesday, 9th July – GIO Stadium, Canberra (10:45 GMT / 19:45 AU)
• Invitational AU & NZ v The Lions – Saturday, 12th July – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (10:15 GMT / 19:15 AU)
• Wallabies v The Lions – Saturday, 19th July – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (10:45 GMT / 19:45 AU)
• First Nations & Pasifika XV v The Lions – Tuesday, 22nd July – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne (10:45 GMT / 19:45 AU)
• Wallabies v The Lions – Saturday, 26th July – MCG, Melbourne (10:45 GMT / 19:45 AU)
• Wallabies v The Lions – Saturday 2nd August – Accor Stadium – (10:45 GMT / 19:45 AU)