Reds vs British & Irish Lions Predictions - Reds can cover against much-changed Lions

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 01 Jul 2025

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Ralph Staniforth 01 Jul 2025

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The Reds finished fifth in Super Rugby but lost six of the last nine matches.
British & Irish Lions won 54-7 recently, showing growing form.
Reds predicted to lose by under 30.5 points, highlighting a competitive match.

Expired

British & Irish Lions beat the Western Force this past Saturday (Getty Images)

Reds vs British & Irish Lions Preview

The Reds didn't have the best end to their Super Rugby season but did finish within the playoffs. They were formidable on home soil, so I do expect them to provide a challenge on Wednesday.

Reds vs British & Irish Lions Preview
Head to Head
Reds Form
Reds Team News
Reds Squad
British & Irish Lions Form
British & Irish Lions Team News
British & Irish Lions Squad

Reds have lost 6 of their last 9 matches.
British & Irish Lions won their last match 54-7.
British & Irish Lions have made 14 changes to their squad.

Head to Head

The Reds and Lions only meet every 12 years. In 2013, on the last Lions tour, the Reds outscored the Lions two tries to one but last the game 22-12.

Reds Form

The Reds had a decent 2025 Super Rugby campaign where they finished fifth on the overall table. They were knocked out away from home against the Crusaders in the quarterfinal.

As the season grew closer to the end, the Reds form dropped off quite a bit though. They lost six of their last nine matches.

Their last game against the Crusaders ended in a 32-12 defeat in Christchurch. The week prior they found some form, thrashing the Fijian Drua 52-7.

Reds Team News

The Reds side is quite strong despite missing a few internationals. Their backline is laced with potential, particularly in the midfield where Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook team up.

Reds Squad

15 Jock Campbell (captain), 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tim Ryan, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Joe Brial, 7 John Bryant, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Aidan Ross.

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 George Blake, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Ryan Smith, 20 Angus Blyth, 21 Connor Vest, 22 Louis Werchon, 23 Isaac Henry.

British & Irish Lions Form

The British & Irish Lions will be slowly growing in confidence as they start getting more training sessions and more match minutes under their belt.

Two weeks ago, the Lions lost their first game 28-24 to Argentina in Dublin. That was, however, a game that was heavy on English preference with many players getting a week off after finishing off club duty the week before.

Last weekend, the B+I Lions showed plenty of fluency and class against the Western Force, winning the match 54-7. As the scoreline suggests, it was a dominant performance and one which will give the players some confidence.

British & Irish Lions Team News

Andy Farrell has once again, as expected, rung the changes – 14 in total from the side that walked over the Western Force a week ago. Finn Russell, however, retains his place at 10, perhaps the first clear sign of what Farrell wants for the first Test on 19 July.

British & Irish Lions Squad

15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Garry Ringrose.

Verdict

Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions

The Reds are backed to lose by less than 30.5 points against the British & Irish Lions.

Reds +30.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 1 Unit

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