Neil Treacy

RTÉ Sport Journalist

19 July 2025; Tadhg Beirne of British & Irish Lions during the first test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Beirne: 'I did feel the pressure this week'

It only took 19 seconds of Saturday's first Test between the British and Irish Lions and Australia to realise that Tadhg Beirne was going to have himself a day.

British and Irish Lions • 21 Jul

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Australia head coach Joe Schmidt checks the pitch ahead of the 1st Test Match between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Ima

Optimistic Schmidt 'desperate to keep the series alive'

The British and Irish Lions may have looked a level above Australia in Saturday's first Test in Brisbane, but Joe Schmidt cut an optimistic figure at Suncorp Stadium.

Rugby • 20 Jul

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Joe McCarthy of the British and Irish Lions leaves the field during game one of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron S

Brown called up as Lions sweat on McCarthy knock

Gregor Brown is the latest player to be called up by the British and Irish Lions, as head coach Andy Farrell sweats on an injury to Joe McCarthy.

Rugby • 20 Jul

19 July 2025; Tadhg Furlong of British & Irish Lions during the first test match between Australia and the British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Furlong back to his best but warns of second Test swing

While Tadhg Beirne grabbed the headlines in the British and Irish Lions' commanding first Test win in Melbourne, Tadhg Furlong has also found his top form in Australia.

British and Irish Lions • 21 Jul

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Tadhg Beirne of the British and Irish Lions takes the lineout during game one of the series between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hy

Farrell thrilled as 'immense' Beirne answers critics

Andy Farrell hailed the "immense" contributions of both Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry as the British and Irish Lions secured a commanding 27-19 win in their first Test against Australia in Brisbane.

British and Irish Lions • 19 Jul

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 19: Tom Curry of British and Irish Lions celebrates after scoring his team's 2nd try during the 1st Test Match between Australia Wallabies and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Ph

Lions dominate Wallabies to claim first Test win

The British and Irish Lions opened their Test series with a comfortable 27-19 victory over Australia in Brisbane.

Rugby • 19 Jul

18 July 2025; Team captains Maro Itoje of British & Irish Lions, left, and Harry Wilson of Australia pose with the trophy during a photocall ahead of the first test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Odds stacked in Lions' favour for first Wallabies Test

Neil Treacy previews Saturday's first Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Brisbane.

British and Irish Lions • 18 Jul

18 July 2025; Assistant coach Jonathan Sexton speaks to the media after a British & Irish Lions captain's run at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Sexton: 'This is the week we waited for'

Twelve years on from winning a Lions Test in Brisbane, Johnny Sexton is hoping history can repeat itself at Suncorp.

British and Irish Lions • 18 Jul

Wallabies fight for eyes as Lions take over Brisbane

Walking around Brisbane on Thursday, it wouldn't take you long to know the British and Irish Lions are in town. The only issue would be figuring out who they are playing.

Rugby • 18 Jul

5 July 2025; British & Irish Lions captain Tadhg Beirne celebrates his team winning a turnover during the tour match between NSW Waratahs and the British & Irish Lions at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Steve Christo/Sportsfile

Farrell backs Beirne's 'big match temperament'

A couple of months ago, it would have seemed peculiar that including Tadhg Beirne in the side for the first Test against the Wallabies would have been seen as a major call, but Lions tours can throw up some unusual situations.

Rugby • 17 Jul