Australia host the British & Irish Lions at the MCG in Melbourne on July 26, 2025, for the second Test of a storied rugby series. The Lions arrive with major momentum, while the Wallabies face big questions. Get expert predictions, key match tactics, and analysis and learn why the Lions are widely tipped to triumph in this crucial Test.

Match Preview

Australia vs British & Irish Lions – July 26, 2025 – Melbourne Cricket Ground

The Melbourne Cricket Ground sets the stage for the pivotal second Test between Australia and the British & Irish Lions. Having stormed through their tour fixtures, the Lions bring form, cohesion, and depth into this clash. The Wallabies, under new coach Joe Schmidt, look to protect home turf amid questions about injuries and team stability. For Australia, this game could spark a renaissance; for the Lions, it's a golden chance to assert northern hemisphere dominance.

Key Factors

The British & Irish Lions' Dominance

• Enter as clear favourites, backed by a 73% probability of victory according to predictive models.
• Have won 17 of 23 historic Tests against the Wallabies, including a stellar tour run with five straight wins in Australia leading up to the Test series.
• Squad cohesion, seasoned by a core of Irish internationals and guided by coach Andy Farrell, delivers both physicality and tactical nuance.
• Playmaker Finn Russell pilots a creative backline, while captain Maro Itoje marshals a powerful pack.

Australia’s Rebuild and Home Ambitions

• Suffer from a weakened lineup owing to injuries, notably missing explosive forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton.
• Rising star Tom Lynagh debuts at fly-half, hoping to ignite a vintage Wallaby attacking display—following in his legendary father Michael’s footsteps.
• The squad is in a transitional phase with new faces in key roles, including flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and the dynamic Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii in midfield.
• Home advantage in front of 90,000+ fans at the MCG is a vital emotional asset, but not enough to tilt the odds in their favour.

Tactical Matchup

• Lions’ Gameplan: Power up front, set-piece superiority, and dynamic interplay between forwards and backs. Farrell’s side relishes contesting breakdowns, launching multi-phase attacks, and disrupting opposition rhythm.
• Wallabies’ Gameplan: Schmidt’s Wallabies prioritize ball retention, patterns based on width, and looking for gaps with quick backline movement. There’s emphasis on counter-attacking opportunities and utilising the youthful energy in the side, but organizational issues could remain at set pieces and under relentless Lions pressure

Expert Prediction

Given the Lions’ historic dominance, tour form, and Australia’s squad instability, experts overwhelmingly tip the British & Irish Lions to emerge victorious in Melbourne. Predictive models assign a 73% chance of a Lions victory, with forecasts suggesting a likely scoreline in the region of 31–17 in favour of the visitors. Australia’s passionate home crowd and a few stand-out individual performances will keep them competitive, but expect the Lions to assert their authority and seize a crucial Test series edge

Predicted Winner: British & Irish Lions

Predicted Score: Australia 17–31 British & Irish Lions

Note: Predictions are based on current form and available information but are not guaranteed.