Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions: Tour match preview

The touring British & Irish Lions head for Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday to face the Queensland Reds as their preparation for the Wallabies intensifies.

Andy Farrell's tourists were 54-7 winners against Western Force in Perth over the weekend and the countdown is well and truly on for their first Test against Australia now that they have touched down in the southern hemisphere.

That first Test comes up on 19th July at Suncorp Stadium, so facing the Reds at the same venue is going to be a crucial part of their build-up.

Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions betting preview

Williams lost in Force runout

Farrell has already suffered the first injury to his squad after the Lions confirmed Welsh scrumhalf Tomos Williams suffered a tour-ending hamstring injury in the 54-7 win over Western Force.

Williams sustained the injury scoring his second try and will be replaced in the squad by Scotland's Ben White.

Gloucester scrumhalf Williams was the Premiership Rugby Player of the Season and Lions coach Farrell said his loss robbed the group of an outstanding player who had been showing "everything for a Lions tour you want to have in your group".

After their hefty win over Western Force, a contest in which the Lions' defensive set-up was well tested as they allowed the hosts enjoy plenty of possession, the Lions are 1.90 to successfully give up a 30.5-point start against the Reds, who can be backed at 19.00 to stun their visitors with a win.

Test clues on offer

With Suncorp Stadium being the venue for the Lions' first Test against the Wallabies, Farrell's team selection will inevitably come under scrutiny with that game in mind.

Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park will form the halfback partnership for the Lions, with the Scotland and Ireland duo potentially getting a dry run for the three-Test series upcoming given they are strongly touted as the starting pair.

Flyhalf Russell started against Western Force, while Gibson-Park makes his Lions debut in Brisbane on his comeback from a glute injury that saw him miss the URC final with Leinster earlier this month, as well as the opening tour games against Argentina in Dublin and Western Force.

Kiwi-born Gibson-Park is 1.83 to mark his introduction to the Lions set-up with a try in Brisbane.

Maro Itoje has been recalled and will captain the team. He featured in the Dublin defeat to the Pumas but sat out at the weekend. He returns to the second row in partnership with England colleague Ollie Chessum at the heart of a new-look pack.

Farrell expecting a tougher challenge

The Reds finished the 2024/25 Super Rugby season in fifth place, before losing to eventual champions Crusaders in the Finals series.

Queensland coach Les Kiss has listed nine Wallabies in his matchday squad, while former All Black Aidan Ross is named for his Reds debut.

He will partner incumbent Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler and dual international Jeffery Toomaga-Allen in a powerful starting front row, as Kiss has gone for size up front with a six-two bench split.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Josh Canham form an all-Test engine room, with fellow Wallaby Seru Uru joining John Bryant and Joe Brial in the backrow.

The power-packed Reds line-up can be backed at 3.50 to score the first try of the game.

Farrell is anticipating a proper challenge as he suggested: "They're a great side. I mean, that's obvious if you've watched the games, not just this year, but last year as well.

"Les (Kiss) has done a fantastic job with them to play a great brand of rugby and are able to play in many different ways."

The Lions are 1.15 to win the game by 13+ points, while it's 5.00 on the tourists winning by 1-12 points.

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Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions odds

Queensland Reds - 19.00
Tie - 51.00
British & Irish Lions - 1.006

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.