Australia vs Lions: First Test prediction, preview, odds, tips, line-ups and how to watch

The long wait is nearly over as the British and Irish Lions prepare for their first Test against Australia on Saturday.

Andy Farrell's men have shown some encouraging signs while going unbeaten in six warm-up games Down Under but their performance in the three Tests against the Wallabies, starting in Brisbane on Saturday, is how they will ultimately be judged as they hunt for their first series triumph since 2013.

Check out the latest odds, line-ups and best bets for the long-awaited first Test.

The Lions arrive in Brisbane off the back of a dominant tour so far, which they capped with a clinical 48–0 demolition of the AU-NZ Invitational XV.

Andy Farrell has made several bold calls for the First Test, most notably selecting Tom Curry at openside flanker ahead of Jac Morgan. Curry joins Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan in a mobile, abrasive back row, while Maro Itoje captains the side from the second row alongside Joe McCarthy.

In midfield, Farrell has backed the established Scotland duo of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, whose club and international chemistry gets the edge over Bundee Aki and the injured Gary Ringrose. Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park form the half-back pairing, with Marcus Smith preferred to Owen Farrell on the bench.

Out wide, James Lowe and Tommy Freeman start on the wings, with Hugo Keenan named at full-back in the absence of Blair Kinghorn.

For Australia, Joe Schmidt hands a start to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at outside centre, while the experienced Tate McDermott and Noah Lolesio combine at half-back. The Wallabies will look to test the Lions’ cohesion with a settled side and home advantage as they aim to replicate their famous 2001 Test series win over the Lions.

Check out all the talking points from Farrell's squad announcement here.

Backs

• 15. Hugo Keenan

• 14. Tommy Freeman

• 13. Huw Jones

• 12. Sione Tuipulotu

• 11. James Lowe

• 10. Finn Russell

• 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

Forwards

• 1. Ellis Genge

• 2. Dan Sheehan

• 3. Tadhg Furlong

• 4. Maro Itoje (c)

• 5. Joe McCarthy

• 6. Tadhg Beirne

• 7. Tom Curry

• 8. Jack Conan

Substitutes

16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Bundee Aki.

Backs

• 15. Tom Wright

• 14. Max Jorgensen

• 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

• 12. Len Ikitau

• 11. Harry Potter

• 10. Tom Lynagh

• 9. Jake Gordon

Forwards

• 1. James Slipper

• 2 Matt Faessler

• 3. Allan Alaalatoa

• 4. Nick Frost

• 5. Jeremy Williams

• 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny

• 7. Fraser McReight

• 8 Harry Wilson (c)

Substitutes

16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway

The Lions will go in as favourites for the first Test, but it certainly won't be easy against a well-drilled Wallabies side who are more familiar with each other than the tourists.

Australia showed cohesion and structure in their recent win over Fiji, and will be buoyed by the home crowd in Brisbane.

As a result, a close victory for the Lions looks like good value.

With attacking firepower across both line-ups and warm-weather conditions expected in Brisbane, this series opener could be more open than many anticipate. The Lions have averaged over 40 points per game on tour, while the Wallabies showed their scoring edge against Fiji and boast explosive talent like Suaalii and Jorgensen out wide.

Joe Schmidt’s Australia are likely to push the tempo early, and with both benches packed with impact players, there’s every chance this contest opens up after the break.

Over 49.5 total match points looks a strong play at what could be a lively Suncorp Stadium.

With Andy Farrell naming a physically dominant forward pack for the First Test, Dan Sheehan stands out as a strong anytime tryscorer option.

The Leinster hooker is a proven finisher at international level, regularly capitalising on driving mauls and close-range carries.

The presence of power players like Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy and Tom Curry gives the Lions serious muscle up front, and if they earn repeat penalties in the red zone, Sheehan is likely to be the man finishing the job.

View the latest rugby union odds here.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.