Brumbies vs Lions: Best bets, odds, preview, prediction and how to watch

Farrell is clearly looking for a response from his side and has named a strong line-up for the game at the GIO Stadium, with captain Mauro Itoje starting at second row in a XV that looks likely to be very similar to the one that starts against Australia, barring one or two positions.

Blair Kinghorn starts in his favoured full-back position, with James Lowe and Tommy Freeman on the wings.

The Irish centre pairing of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose come in for Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu, who started against the Waratahs.

While a strong Super Rugby side, the Brumbies may find it difficult against this powerful and cohesive Lions side, who will hope to produce a convincing attacking display after a number of errors against the Tahs.

Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan

Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen

Brumbies: Muirhead, O'Donnell, Sapsford, Feliuai, Toole, Meredith, Lonergan, Taii Tualima, Scott, Hooper, Neville, Shaw, Van Nek, Lonergan, Leli.

Replacements: Bowron, Orr, Fotuaika, Hooper, Reimer, Goddard, Debreczeni, Creighton.

A defeat is the minimum for the Lions but the manner in which they do it will be where they will be judged in this game.

The formidable backline should enjoy themselves in this game surpassing a 32-point margin over their Super Rugby opponents, which they have done in two of their three games so far, seems very plausible.

With the Lions looking to score high but the Brumbies possessing their own attacking threat, this game should surpass 62.5 points in total.

The touring outfit have encountered their fair share of problems defensively against these attack-minded Super Rugby sides, with each scoring at least a try past them. Expect a high-scoring encounter.

Yet to score on the tour so far, James Lowe will be desperate to cement his place in the starting XV with an emphatic display from the off in Canberra.

A master of finding the corner for Ireland and Leinster, if the Lions can click into the gear the winger will be ready and waiting to finish their moves.

The match kicks off at 11am BST on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. UK viewers can watch live coverage on Sky Sports.

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