Tommy Freeman, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith and Henry Pollock will all pull on the red shirt of the British and Irish Lions for the first time this week, as the quartet are named in the side’s matchday squad for the 1888 Cup.
The Cup clash sees the Lions take to the field together for the first time in 2025 and break new ground on Irish soil as they face Argentina at the Aviva Stadium this Friday (20 June, kick-off: 8pm).
An all-Northampton half-back pairing of Mitchell and Smith start the match – two of 14 Lions debutants in Dublin – while fellow Saint Freeman also starts the clash after being named on the right wing.
The Lions’ youngest tourist, 20-year-old Pollock, will enter the action against Pumas from amongst the replacements, as head coach Andy Farrell opts for a five-three bench.
Ahead of the opening clash, Farrell said: “This is our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.
“We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide - so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.”
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SIDE TO FACE ARGENTINA
15 Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
13 Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
12 Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
11 Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
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) #851
3 Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (c)
5 Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
7 Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
8 Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Replacements:
16 Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
17 Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
18 Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
19 Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
20 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
21 Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
22 Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
23 Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
