Try GOLD - Free
Farrell dismisses 'insulting' idea of scrapping Lions tours to Australia
The Guardian
|August 01, 2025
'Wallabies are a force to be reckoned with,' says coach as tourists aim for clean sweep
Andy Farrell has described suggestions the Wallabies are not worthy opponents of the British & Irish Lions as "insulting" and believes it would be a mistake to scrap tours of Australia.
The Lions can wrap up their first clean sweep since 1927 if they beat the Wallabies in tomorrow's third Test in Sydney and become the first Lions side to go unbeaten since 1974. The tourists have already made history by becoming the first side to clinch a second straight series win over the same opponents and are odds-on favourites to secure a 3-0 whitewash.
The Wallabies are languishing at sixth in the world rankings and although they came within 50 seconds of levelling the series in Melbourne were well beaten in the Brisbane opener. The six warm-up victories have been largely one-sided - the five-point win over the First Nations & Pasifika XV notwithstanding - raising questions as to whether the Lions should continue to tour Australia or seek different opponents, such as France or Argentina.
This story is from the August 01, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Madeleine McCann prime suspect refused interview, Met police say
The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has refused to be interviewed by the Metropolitan police ahead of his pending release from prison in Germany, the force has said.
1 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Haaland double gives visitors derby day blues
Erling Haaland urged Manchester City to \"get our asses going\", then showed exactly how with the second and third goals that sealed this 197th derby for Pep Guardiola's team, and ended a two-defeat run.
3 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
England break record to set up France semi-final
Torrential rain and blustery conditions meant there was no champagne rugby on display in Bristol, but the occasion more than lived up to the hype with a sold-out Ashton Gate cheering England to a comfortable win against Scotland to book their spot in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals, where they will face France.
3 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
The Mamdani way How Labour can click with ordinary people
Progressives in the UK and US are grappling with the same question. Why have rightwing populists become so much more successful at tapping into public concerns? And why are so few politicians on the left connecting with ordinary people?
3 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Fishy tale Challenge to legend of 'last true Cornish speaker'
The legend that Cornish vanished as a living language with the death of the fish seller Dolly Pentreath in the late 18th century is being challenged by a leading expert on the Celtic culture of the far south-west of Britain.
2 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
State visit Subjects that Trump and ministers aim to avoid
For Donald Trump, the priority was to avoid any distractions. But as he arrives for his second state visit to Britain – an unprecedented honour for a US president – the crisis engulfing Keir Starmer's government threatens to overshadow the proceedings.
2 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
'It was all for him' Foden dedicates derby victory to lifelong City fan Hatton
Phil Foden and Pep Guardiola dedicated Manchester City's 3-0 derby defeat of Manchester United to the former boxing world champion Ricky Hatton, a lifelong fan of the club, who was found dead at his home yesterday at the age of 46.
1 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
'My conscience is clear' Prince Harry on his family, the Ukraine war and the media
It's about midnight. It's raining. A small group is huddled around a lonely roadside cafe somewhere near the border between Poland and Ukraine, getting wet in the drizzle, sharing cartons of chips and bottles of beer.
9 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Unforgettable Hatton revived boxing spectacle for army of fans
Extraordinary in his fleeting prime, the 'Hitman' brought fresh vigour to British boxing with a career that attracted much adoration along with the demons of fame
5 mins
September 15, 2025
The Guardian
Utah shooting suspect has left-leaning beliefs, says governor
The suspect in the killing of the rightwing activist Charlie Kirk had left-leaning political beliefs and was in a relationship with a person \"transitioning from male to female\", the Utah governor, Spencer Cox, said yesterday.
2 mins
September 15, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size