Tom Curry tackles Joseph Suaalii during a superb defensive performance from the Englishman - Getty Images /Cameron Spencer

By the time Tom Curry was taken off in the 58th minute, it looked like he did not know which part of his body to rub. No doubt everything hurt. There are few forwards in the world game who have put their body on the line again and again, even when the injuries have started to mount over the past few years.

Here at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, at the spiritual home of the Wallabies, the effort and the pain were worth it. This will long be remembered as a performance of the ages from Curry, producing a display for the British and Irish Lions reminiscent of the great Richard Hill here in 2001.

There is nothing more admirable when a head coach puts his faith in a ‘big game’ player and they deliver in the white heat of a Test match, and Curry more than delivered on his vow to Andy Farrell that he would defy critics of his selection.

His match statistics of eight carries, seven gain-line successes and 11 tackles tell nothing of the full story. What set the tone for this first-Test victory was the Lions’ relentless physicality, and time and again it was Curry, and his back-row partner Tadhg Beirne, who led the way.

Sione Tuipulotu latches on to Finn Russell’s long pass to score the Lions’ first try - EPA/Shutterstock/Darren England

“When selection happens there are so many eyes compared to other teams – when I play for Glasgow or Scotland – I understand it’s the pinnacle of the game,” said Sione Tuipulotu, the Lions centre who also looked sharp and incisive, and finished the Lions’ first try from Finn Russell’s sumptuous long pass.

“I just thought that Tom and Tadhg Beirne, those players, as a group we know what they’re about. In big games they perform when it counts. I thought Tom was amazing today, he’s a joy to play with. I always look at him and he always looks so sore when he’s running around. He always looks in pain, but he just keeps going. Testament to him. The same with Tadhg Beirne, they’re two warriors of the game and they were a big reason why we won tonight.

Tuipulotu continued: “Those two are like ball magnets. Wherever the ball is, they’re in and around. Maro as well. It’s pretty cool to play with players like that, I feel like we’ve got four or five of those guys in one pack.”

There was just 11 seconds on the clock when Curry smashed into the Australian prop James Slipper in a tag-tackle with Dan Sheehan. With the Wallabies on the back foot, the ball was passed to Joseph Suaalii, who despite his immense frame, was gobbled up by Tadhg Beirne, who had secured the Lions’ first penalty by the 21st second. Finn Russell knocked over the three points. The Lions were up and running.

Huge hits on Max Jorgensen and Fraser McReight followed before Curry finished off the Lions’ second try from close range with a powerhouse drive.

Farrell had backed both Curry and Beirne, who finished as the Lions’ top tackler, to step up when it mattered, despite both failing to hit top form in the tour games. It was a brilliant decision by the head coach, who found the criticism of their selection bewildering.

By winning the early collisions, dominating the line-out and squeezing the Wallabies tactically through some sublime box-kicking from Jamison Gibson-Park and Russell’s control, the Lions produced one of the most ruthless starts to a Test series in memory.

All the damage was done in the first half. When the Lions extended their lead at the start of the second period with Dan Sheehan’s try, with Curry also at the heart of it, the contest was already over. Farrell was able to empty his bench to give a well-earned rest to the likes of Curry, and although in the final quarter the Wallabies came back into the contest – the sloppy finish will have annoyed Farrell – the Lions lost their shape only because of the effort that had been spent in taking control of the game and then looking ahead to the challenge of Tuesday’s match against the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne.

There are still questions to answer. James Lowe, while winning a couple of aerial balls early on, squandered a number of positions, while Joe McCarthy came off with a foot injury. With both Will Skelton and Rob Valetini available for the Wallabies next Saturday, Joe Schmidt’s side will be able to bolster their pack with two forwards of significant heft.

Tom Lynagh battled bravely, while Max Jorgensen took his try excellently, wrestling the ball from the grasp of Hugo Keenan. Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott exploited tiring Lions legs in the final quarter, after Marcus Smith had landed a penalty.

But make no mistake, this was a statement victory and, if the Lions can raise their intensity levels again, history beckons next Saturday in Melbourne.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 0-3, Russell pen; 0-8, Tuipulotu try, 0-10, Russell con; 5-10, Jorgensen try; 5-15, Curry try, 5-17, Russell con; 5-22, Sheehan try, 5-24, Russell con; 10-24, Tizzano try, 12-24, Donaldson con; 12-27, Smith pen; 17-27, McDermott try; 19-27, Donaldson con.

Australia: T Wright; M Jorgensen, J Suaalii, L Ikitau (A Kellaway 68), H Potter; T Lynagh (B Donaldson 60), J Gordon (T McDermott 58); J Slipper (A Bell 49), M Faessler (B Pollard 48), A Alaalatoa (T Robertson 57), N Frost, J Williams (T Hooper 58), N Champion de Crespigny (C Tizzano 66), F McReight, H Wilson.

Lions: H Keenan; T Freeman, H Jones, S Tuipulotu (B Aki 58), J Lowe; F Russell, J Gibson-Park (A Mitchell 73); E Genge (A Porter 48), D Sheehan (R Kelleher 60), T Furlong (W Stuart 57), M Itoje, J McCarthy (O Chessum 48), T Beirne, T Curry (B Earl 58), J Conan.

Referee: B O’Keeffe (NZ)

Attendance: 52,229.

Farrell warns Lions: Beware ‘desperate’ Wallabies

Andy Farrell warned his British and Irish Lions side to beware a “desperate” Australia fightback next week following their first-Test defeat of the Wallabies in Brisbane.

A brutal display of physicality enabled the Lions to build a 24-5 lead before Australia fought their way back to at least provide a measure of respectability to the scoreline. Farrell, the head coach, was frustrated at the Lions’ drop-off in performance and maintains that the team will need to be far better in Melbourne.

Having been part of the Lions coaching staff in the 2013 series, when Australia levelled the series in the second Test, Farrell says that the encouragement he draws from the performance is tempered by the knowledge of the backlash coming their way on Saturday.

“We are playing against a wounded animal, at a sold-out MCG, and we know what to expect,” Farrell said. “We do [take encouragement], but at the same time we know what is coming and we know what happened in the second half and how much more there is in us. We roll on to the second game knowing full well what happened in 2013 when an Australia team becomes desperate. It is difficult to handle so we expect a different game next week. But having said that, we expect more of ourselves as well.

“Part of it is a realisation of what is coming next week. Not only is that Australia’s second game and they’ll be much better because of that, but also because of what it means to them and how proud they are. It’ll mean the world to them. We need to make sure we are ready for them to be at their best. I suppose it will take a better performance than what we’ve shown today to make sure we get a win next week.”

Joe McCarthy (left) and Dan Sheehan celebrate the Lions’ victory - Getty Images/Brendan Moran

Farrell took particular satisfaction in the performance of his flankers, Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry, whose selections received plenty of criticism. Beirne was man of the match at the Suncorp Stadium while Curry was sensational in setting the tone physically to vindicate Farrell’s selections.

“I read all that [criticism], it was interesting wasn’t it?” Farrell said. “Immense, absolutely immense. Big-game players who were probably challenged by a good few. It told a story. For those who know [Curry] and know of his character, that was always going to happen. We said during the week about big-game players and Tom massively fits into that bracket.”

The one disappointment for Farrell was that the Lions could not maintain their intensity levels following Dan Sheehan’s third try just after half-time. While a Marcus Smith penalty ensured the Lions always had breathing space on the scoreboard, Australia finished the match level with the Lions at three tries apiece. They also turned the tables in the physical stakes as the Lions’ 19-point lead was whittled down to eight.

Australia’s fightback was too little too late - Getty Images/Bradley Kanaris

“That shouldn’t happen,” Farrell said. “We talk about that, we talk about being next-moment focused at all times and that certainly shouldn’t happen. Two wrongs don’t make a right. We certainly need to address that as well. Subconsciously, I guess that tends to happen, not that it should.”

The Lions face a First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday which Farrell is gearing as an opportunity for players to force their way into his plans for the second Test. He hopes both centre Garry Ringrose and full-back Blair Kinghorn will be available for selection as they recover from a concussion and knee injury respectively.

01:53 PM BST

‘Toothless Australians barely fired a shot in embarrassing performance’

The sound here in Brisbane was not of rage or rancour, merely one of bleak, sullen resignation. On a galling evening for the Wallabies, this stadium, traditionally such a cauldron for the hosts, felt more like a mausoleum, with home fans’ despair at their team’s inadequacies so all-engulfing that the hype man had to plead with them to “make some noise”. After a 12-year wait for their players’ to collide with the British and Irish Lions once more, they had dared to expect some snarl and defiance befitting the occasion. But instead they witnessed a glaring mismatch, with the lack of cohesion on the pitch so painful that rare incursions into the tourists’ 22 were greeted with bitterly ironic cheers.
All told, the shift in atmosphere had taken just 42 minutes, with Dan Sheehan’s score putting the Lions out of sight. At kick-off the scene on Caxton Street, on the approach to Suncorp Stadium, had been magnificent, with the seething convergence of red shirts an encapsulation of everything a Lions Test should be. The series opener would soon curdle, though, into a grisly reckoning for Australia, whose status as the sixth best team in the world looked flattering in the face of the Lions bombardment. While their deficiencies had been well-documented, surely they would channel some snarl, some quintessential Queensland defiance, in a city that demanded it?

01:51 PM BST

Tom Curry was fantastic today

01:49 PM BST

Ex-Australia captain Michael Hooper on Sky Sports

01:40 PM BST

Should Andy Farrell’s men dominate series?

01:35 PM BST

Finn Russell talking to Sky Sports

“The first half we played really well. We talked about managing and controlling the game, putting them under pressure with our kicking game.
“We probably did not have enough of the ball to do that in the second half, but we played that pretty well in the first half and that showed in the score.
“We had all the territory in the first half and could have scored more points, but game-plan wise and management, we were pretty happy with that.”

01:34 PM BST

How do Australia react?

They were second best comfortably for a lot of the match but they played better in the final 20 or 30 minutes. The bench made a significant impact through the likes of Angus Bell, Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott, who will all be hoping to start next week. Joe Schmidt will also be hoping that Rob Valetini and Will Skelton will be fit for the second Test and that would make a big difference to Australia’s hopes of keeping the series alive.

01:32 PM BST

Lions 1-0 up

01:30 PM BST

FT stats

Possession: Australia 57%-43% Lions

Carries: 150-125

Metres made: 301-436

Tackles made: 156-208

Tackles missed: 30-18

Turnovers won: 6-6

Penalties conceded: 7-11

01:27 PM BST

Australian head coach Joe Schmidt speaking post-match

“I felt like the players really dug in. Ten-nil down in the first 10 minutes, then the score right before half-time, it was frustrating to go in 17-5 instead of 10-5. Then straight after half-time [Dan Sheehan’s try] from our line-out throw was really disappointing. We earned our way back into the game in the last 30 minutes and to finish as close as we did having not had a lot of time together, I am proud of the players and the way they fought.
“We definitely learned we have got character and courage. We were not quite accurate at times. When we did get space and opportunity, we fluffed our lines a little bit. Against a team like the Lions, you have got to be so accurate, you cannot afford to miss a chance because they are so good at squeezing time and space.
“It is very early to say what we will be doing next week. We see how players are, then we wills tart making decisions on Monday or Tuesday. At the moment it is very difficult to say what changes, because when you change personnel sometimes that can change the shape of the way you play.”

01:20 PM BST

Warren Gatland on Sky Sports

“It was result over performance. Australia were much better in the second half. [Dan] Sheehan scored early in the second half but the Australians got themselves back into the game, getting on the front foot, looking more dangerous.
“I was a little surprised how early the Lions made substitutions. I thought they might keep those players on a little bit longer just as they were tidying things up. They probably lost a little bit of cohesion and momentum in doing that.
“The win takes a bit of pressure off, you know you are here right until the very end. We want to see an improved Lions and Australia next week. As a neutral, you want it to be 1-1 to get the excitement going. Australia are going to be incredibly desperate to level the series next week now. Bring on Melbourne!”

01:13 PM BST

Lions v Australia player ratings

Definition of a Test-match animal. Quiet in the warm-ups, but ramped up to 11 when it mattered. His tackling was borderline GBH. Completely vindicated Farrell. 9
Not a form pick and it painfully showed. Made some terrible decisions from kicking dead, knocking on going for the tryline and kicked loosely. 3

01:08 PM BST

The thoughts of Lions head coach Andy Farrell

“Delighted to get the result, to get the first one under the belt which takes us to the last game. It was a big occasion and the lads did the shirt proud. How they attacked the game, certainly in the first half, here in the spiritual home of the Wallabies, it was very pleasing to come away with the victory.
“We started the game very well, our game control was excellent throughout. Our physicality was spot on in the first half, in the second we obviously lacked a bit of discipline within our own game with loose carries and offloads, as well as penalties, that slowed the game down for us.
“Plenty for us to work on, which is a good place going into game two. The back-row were immense. It was a talking point all week, and I am so glad for them because they stood up.
“If you look at the start of the game, Tom Curry has a huge collision defensively and Tadgh Beirne gets the turnover. That kept on happening all night. And Jack Conan was immensely strong with ball in hand as well. The good thing is we roll onto Tuesday night [against First Nations & Pasifika XV] where the rest of the guys get to put their hands up as well.”

The Lions go 1-0 up - David Davies/PA

01:03 PM BST

Australia captain Harry Wilson speaking post-match

“Obviously disappointed with the result. We did not get our game going until the second half. Nothing will change for us. We will double down our preparation. It is such a big honour and I love representing Australia. Captaining the side is special.”

Harry Wilson’s men head to Melbourne 1-0 down - Chris Hyde/Getty Images

01:02 PM BST

The thoughts of Lions captain Maro Itoje

“It was a tough old game. No game of rugby is perfect, that definitely was no perfect from us.
“It puts us in a good position because we can have some honest conversations off the back of that game, there is lots for us to build on, we are not complacent or comfortable.
“We put pressure on ourselves, particularly exiting our half. But we will build, get better and move on. I am very grateful to represent England and the Lions and it is a huge honour.”

The Lions head to Melbourne next week hoping to seal the victory - Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

12:59 PM BST

The thoughts of man of the match Tadhg Beirne

“A proper Test match, particularly the last quarter, which was a real battle. Australia will take confidence with how they finished the game, we are going to have to look at leaking penalties. Overall, we stepped up, put in a good performance and got the job done. Roll on next week.
“We need to work on our discipline. We were right on the edge near a yellow card at the end. Overall we were good, we controlled the game well and probably lost our way in the last quarter. That is where we will have to focus.
“I loved it [out there]. I supposed some of my performances leading up to this were not my best, I did not know if I would be in for this game. Getting the nod was a huge honour, I knew I had to step up for it. Hopefully I did it justice.”

Tadhg Beirne started at six for the Lions today - Chris Hyde/Getty Images

12:53 PM BST

Full time

Australia steal the lineout but their captain Wilson decides they can gain nothing from playing on so he boots the ball out of play. The Lions win by eight and go 1-0 up in the series as they head to Melbourne next week.

12:52 PM BST

80 mins: Australia 19 Lions 27

The pass is loose from McReight as the Wallabies attack from deep inside their own 22 and goes into touch near his own try line. One more play as the Lions have the lineout.

12:51 PM BST

79 mins: Australia 19 Lions 27

We tick into the final minute as Australia attack from deep.

12:50 PM BST

TRY! McDermott just about keeps Australia alive

It is probably going to be too little, too late but the hosts are still alive, just. McDermott, on his home pitch, manages to find his way over and has made a big difference since coming on.You would imagine he may start for the Wallabies next week. The conversion is good and Australia trail by eight with 90 seconds left.

12:49 PM BST

78 mins: Australia 12 Lions 27

Australia are on the attack inside the Lions 22 and Potter takes them to within 10 metres of the line. Australia are getting closer and closer to the line...

12:48 PM BST

77 mins: Australia 12 Lions 27

The Lions knock on in defence on halfway and there was a suspicion of a deliberate knock-on but it was part of the tackle from Itoje so just a knock-on.

12:47 PM BST

75 mins: Australia 12 Lions 27

Mitchell is on at scrum-half for the Lions, replacing Gibson-Park.

12:45 PM BST

PENALTY LIONS!

M Smith cannot miss and those three points take the Lions out to a 15-point advantage.

12:44 PM BST

73 mins: Australia 12 Lions 24

After a Kellaway knock-on, the Lions are on the attack once more inside the Wallabies’ 22 and have a penalty advanatage five metres out. The ball goes loose so we go back for the penalty, which is right in front of the posts. It is such an easy decision as this will be the easiest of penalties and will make it a three-score game...

12:42 PM BST

71 mins: Australia 12 Lions 24

The Lions are in possession approaching the Australia 22. They have numbers down the left but Freeman knocks on as he thought about an offload around the back of an Australian defender. That offload was not on and the Lions should have just recycled.

12:40 PM BST

69 mins: Australia 12 Lions 24

Change for Australia as Kellaway replaces Ikitau, which will require a bit of a shift in the Australian backline.

12:38 PM BST

TRY! Tizzano over from close range

He is only just on but he has kept Australia just about alive in this match. The hosts go through a number of phases just shy of the Lions’ line before Tizzano powers over. Donaldson gets the conversion and it is a 12-point game.

12:37 PM BST

66 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

Australia are attacking inside the Lions half and Earl is punished at the breakdown as the ruck had already been formed. Jorgensen nearly did brilliantly after a crossfield kick but we go back for the penalty. The Wallabies pump it into the corner.

M Smith is on for Russell for the Lions.

12:34 PM BST

63 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

So close for Australia. Their captain and number eight Wilson puts a great grubber kick through down the left wing towards the corner. Potter has the speed to get on the end of it but he knocks on as he tries to gather. Had the bounce been a little kinder Potter would have scored.

Harry Potter did not have the magic - Matt Roberts/Getty Images

12:32 PM BST

61 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

Changes for both sides. The Lions bring on Kelleher for Sheehan at hooker whilst Australia make a change at fly-half as Donaldson replaces Lynagh.

Critically, Andy Farrell has been able to empty his bench (of forwards) early in the half, with a view to the chance to win the series in Melbourne next Saturday.

12:27 PM BST

NO TRY! Suaalii’s effort ruled out

The hosts score but will this stand? McDermott finds Suaalii, who is belted by Earl but ends up being pulled all the way over the line. We are going to check with the TMO as to whether the tackle was completed before the try was scored. They checked to see if Earl’s initial tackle had arms and it is cleared, which may be slightly lenient to Earl. You then cannot give the try as Suaalii did not release as the Lions were over the ball at the breakdown before it is dragged over the line.

The try is disallowed as Suaalii did not release.

12:26 PM BST

59 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

Australia are getting closer and closer to the line as the Lions are caught offside. The hosts then knock on so we go back for the penalty. Unsurprisingly Itoje is now warned by Ben O’Keeffe about his team’s discipline (or lack of it!). Next penalty deep inside their own 22 and the Lions will be down to 14.

Australia make a change at scrum-half as McDermott replaces Gordon. The hosts opt for a scrum.

12:24 PM BST

58 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

A few more changes for the Lions as Stuart, Earl and Aki are on for Furlong, Curry and Tuipulotu.

12:23 PM BST

57 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

Another penalty advantage for Australia for offside. The hosts think they are over through their captain Wilson but he is held up so we go back for the penalty. The Lions need to be careful now with their discipline.

Back into the corner Australia go...

12:21 PM BST

55 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

Wilson offloads off the floor to Frost, who takes Australia to the fringes of the Lions 22. They are though awarded a penalty as Curry is punished for a high tackle on Pollard. Australia have no option but to go to the corner as three will not do.

12:19 PM BST

53 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

The Lions’ defence steps up again and they win a scrum as a maul is called and the ball does not come out.

12:18 PM BST

52 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

Australia have made a few changes in the front row, with Bell and Pollard on, and it pays dividends as they win a scrum penalty on the Lions feed. Australia send it deep into the Lions 22.

12:16 PM BST

51 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

Tom Curry is delivering one of the stand-out Lions displays. Utterly relentless in his physicality, reminiscent of the great Richard Hill in his pomp in 2001.

12:15 PM BST

50 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

We have gone for a TMO review for a potential illegal clear-out by Furlong on Ikitau. As Ikitau was rising, it is only a penalty rather than anything worse. There was shoulder-to-head contact but plenty of mitigation as Ikitau was rising from a very low height.

12:12 PM BST

49 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

A change for the Lions in the front row as Porter comes on for Genge.

The Lions are attacking once more inside the Australian 22 but Tuipulotu wastes the opportunity as he puts a kick ahead and it rolls into touch. They should have kept it in the hands.

One telling stat is that Joseph Suaalii has had just four carries - the latest one saw him absolutely levelled by Tom Curry, who is having a monster game. Australia simply have to get their superstar more touches. In a team with a lot of fairly average players, they need to give him a platform to shine. Alas his pack have provided virtually no front foot ball so far.

Joseph Suaalii has been kept very quiet - Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

12:11 PM BST

47 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

“Come on Wallabies fans, let’s hear you,” the stadium announcer cries, desperately. There is little more than ironic derision in response. Ominous signs in a match of this magnitude.

12:06 PM BST

43 mins: Australia 5 Lions 24

An early change in this second half for the Lions as Chessum replaces McCarthy in the second row.

12:05 PM BST

TRY! Sheehan dots down in the corner

Perfect start to the second half. The Lions come down the blindside and Curry times the pass to Sheehan perfectly, allowing the Irish hooker to dot down right in the corner. Sheehan did really well to keep his feet in-field as he dotted down. Curry, who has been phenomenal today, played a key role in that try starting the whole attack off and providing the assist for Sheehan, who finished well. Sheehan is often in the wider channels and is so effective, whether playing for Leinster, Ireland or for the Lions. Russell nails a tough conversion and the Lions’ lead is up to 19 points, which feels unassailable.

The Lions extend their advantage - Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

12:03 PM BST

41 mins: Australia 5 Lions 17

The Lions attack from halfway after a stunning Curry steal over the back of an Australian lineout and Jones takes them all the way into the Australian 22...

12:02 PM BST

Second half

We are back under way in Brisbane. The Lions take a 12-point lead into the second half.

12:00 PM BST

HT verdicts

A brilliant first half by the Lions. Dominant, menacing and ruthless. The lead is 12 points but it should be more. The decision to rule out a try by Huw Jones looked harsh, while Maro Itoje was also held up over the line. The performance was not without error, but there have been far more moments in the credit column. Andy Farrell put his trust in Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne, neither of whom found their form in the tour games, but both have been outstanding. Curry’s physicality has set the tone and it was appropriate that he finished off a try from close range.
This is by far the Lions most complete display so far, with Jamison Gibson-Park’s sublime box-kicking allowing the tourists to win the aerial battle, while carriers like Ellis Genge and Joe McCarthy have kept giving the Lions go-forward ball, and the tourists have been able to squeeze the Wallabies’ line-out. If they can maintain this intensity and ruthlessness, the Lions can push for a statement victory.

Australia barely escaped their own half in those first 40 minutes. The lack of any collective cohesion is glaring, with only a moment of individual brilliance from Max Jorgensen salvaging a semblance of respectability. There are ominous signs that the gap in quality could yet become a chasm, given the pedigree on the Lions bench. From the Wallabies supporters, there is only a low, resigned murmur.

11:54 AM BST

Have your say

A reminder that our very own Charlie Morgan is in the comments section at the bottom of the blog answering your questions and responding to your thoughts.

11:51 AM BST

HT stats

Carries: Australia 47-77 Lions

Metres made: 112-257

Post-contact metres: 37-75

Gainline success: 16-34

Offloads: 1-6

11:48 AM BST

Half-time

That is it for the first half and the Lions are in control at the break.

11:47 AM BST

40 mins: Australia 5 Lions 17

Curry mistimes a tackle on Lynagh in the air as he did not wait for the Australian fly-half to come back down to the ground. Ben O’Keeffe says it is just a penalty as the timing from Curry was only just out. Lynagh’s ribs will hurt after that hit.

11:42 AM BST

TRY! Curry powers over

The pressure pays off. The Lions are so close to the Australian line and there is no stopping Curry from just a few metres out. Curry has been fantastic tonight; he is a world-class player, elite, and he is demonstrating that tonight. He enjoyed that try with all the nonsense spoken over the last few days. Russell gets the conversion and the Lions lead by 12.

Tom Curry has been fantastic in this first half - Pat Hoelscher/AP

11:42 AM BST

35 mins: Australia 5 Lions 10

Australia are offside again and it is another Lions penalty. The Lions go for a quick tap.

11:41 AM BST

34 mins: Australia 5 Lions 10

Itoje takes the Lions once more into the Australian 22 and now Jones is brought down just shy of the Wallabies line. Now they have a penalty advantage for offside.

The Lions come to the right and Lowe really should pass to his outside but he tries to power to the line. He is stripped of the ball so we go back for the penalty advantage. Lowe should have passed.

The Lions turn down three and go to the corner...

11:39 AM BST

32 mins: Australia 5 Lions 10

The Lions are in possession inside the Australian 22. Russell spots big McCarthy in space on the left wing but the Irish lock knocks on as he tried to gather. That kick was just slightly too far in front of McCarthy and perhaps Russell will regret putting it too far in front of a second row.

11:35 AM BST

TRY! Jorgensen hits back for Australia with solo brilliance

He has saved a try for the hosts and now he scores one. Australia have been second best so far but that is a piece of brilliance. Gordon puts up a box kick towards the Lions 22 and Jorgensen beats Keenan in the air. The Australia winger spins out of it and sprints to the corner. Fantastic solo try by Jorgensen. Lynagh cannot convert from the touchline but Australia are back in it.

An electrifying reaction in the stadium as Max Jorgensen strips the ball from Hugo Keenan and surges through to score. The atmosphere among Wallabies supporters had been painfully mute until that point, with such a stark gulf between the sides. Ben O’Keeffe’s contentious decision to disallow Huw Jones’ try and avert a potential 17-point Lions lead could yet have significant consequences.

11:34 AM BST

27 mins: Australia 0 Lions 10

The scrums have not been the best so far, with plenty of free-kicks awarded, and this time Australia are given a penalty with Genge at fault. The Bristol man did not seem happy with that decision but when are props ever happy to be penalised at scrum time.

11:32 AM BST

26 mins: Australia 0 Lions 10

There is some loose kicking on show and the latest sees Freeman kick out on the full not far outside his own 22 as he tried to go down the line and the kick goes straight into touch. The Lions steal possession and counter before winning a penalty advantage on halfway.

Genge carries powerfully down the right side and advantage is called over just before the Lions knock on. Ben O’Keeffe was quick to call advantage over. The first scrap then ensues, which most of Suncorp Stadium enjoyed but O’Keeffe lays down the law to both captains.

The Lions could not have hoped for a more impressive start. They have dominated the collisions, are bossing the line-out and are tactically squeezing the Australians, with Jamison Gibson-Park’s immaculate kicking allowing James Lowe and Tommy Freeman to cause havoc in the aerial contest. So far both Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry have stepped up

11:28 AM BST

23 mins: Australia 0 Lions 10

Potter puts a kick ahead deep into the Lions half and Keenan leaves it, hoping the ball will roll dead. It is very close to going into touch by the corner flag for an Australian 50-22 and Keenan then has to get out of the way of the ball. The result is a Lions scrum not far outside the Australia 22 as the ball went dead. Fine margins as that could so easily have been an Australian lineout five metres from the Lions line.

The Lions come down the blindside and Freeman attempts a chip over the top but the ball goes into touch.

11:21 AM BST

NO TRY! Jones’ effort chalked off

The Lions are flying in Brisbane. On halfway, the Lions have numbers down the left and Lowe is found in space down the left wing. He fends off one defender and offloads inside to Jones in the Australian 22. Jorgensen does brilliantly to bring Jones down just before the line but Jones gets back up and scores.

Will the try stand though? We go to a TMO review and the try is chalked off as Jones is deemed to have been tackled by Jorgensen and did not release the ball. The tackle was deemed complete so Jones had to release it before going again, which he did not. Hats off to Jorgensen, who stopped a certain try with a fantastic covering tackle.

11:20 AM BST

18 mins: Australia 0 Lions 10

Curry is absolutely belting people and the Lions defence is standing up really well. Australia hit double-digit phases and have made no real progress. The Lions line speed is top notch and they steal the ball before Russell clears his line. Andy Farrell will be delighted with that defensive set.

11:19 AM BST

16 mins: Australia 0 Lions 10

One Lions mistake is backed up by another. Moments after Curry marmalised Jorgensen, Keenan drops a crossfield kick not far outside the Lions 22 and Australia will have the scrum.

11:17 AM BST

15 mins: Australia 0 Lions 10

The first real mistake by the Lions. Lowe puts a kick in behind from halfway but there is way too much on it and the ball rolls dead. That was a really bad kick; not only did it have too much weight on it, but also the angle he put on the kick was all wrong.

Lowe was put under pressure by Australia in the opening stages - AFP/DAVID GRAY

11:14 AM BST

12 mins: Australia 0 Lions 10

This has been a dominant start for the Lions and I am not sure Andy Farrell could have hoped for a better start from his men.

11:12 AM BST

TRY! Tuipulotu scores after sublime Russell pass

The Lions have the first try of the series. Just after Genge is brought down just shy of the Australia line, the ball is shipped into the hands of Russell, who looks like he is lining up a crossfield kick but instead loops a lovely pass right into the hands of Tuipulotu, who goes over untouched. Russell converts and the Lions lead by 10.

11:11 AM BST

8 mins: Australia 0 Lions 3

Attacking from just inside the Australian half, Russell makes the initial break before offloading brilliantly to Sheehan, who takes the Lions inside the Australia 22. The Lions now have a penalty advantage...

11:09 AM BST

6 mins: Australia 0 Lions 3

Sheehan finds his compatriot Beirne at the lineout but the maul does not get very far. The Lions’ momentum though inside the Asutralia 22 is stunted as McReight secures a crucial penalty for the Wallabies at the breakdown.

11:07 AM BST

5 mins: Australia 0 Lions 3

A cagey start with plenty of kicking. Russell spots a gap in behind and Potter tries to race back into his 22 to stop the 50-22. He makes a mess of it and the Lions will have a lineout around 15 metres out.

11:04 AM BST

PENALTY LIONS!

Russell nails the kick from around 30 metres out, in a fairly central position, and the Lions have a very early lead.

11:04 AM BST

1 min: Australia 0 Lions 0

Not even 30 seconds on the clock and the Lions have a penalty not far outside the Australia 22. The hosts are caught holding on and Beirne is the man quickly over that ball to win the penalty.

Itoje unsurprisingly points to the posts...

11:02 AM BST

Kick-off

Some mind games from Australia? As the Lions are ready after the Australian anthem, the hosts go through another mini warm-up.

We are under way in Brisbane. Who will take first blood; Australia or the Lions?

Ben O’Keeffe is our referee.

10:58 AM BST

Kick-off fast approaching

The wait is nearly over and, after a customary lights show at Suncorp Stadium, both sides emerge; the Lions led out by Maro Itoje, Australia by Harry Wilson. It is raucous inside Suncorp.

No Lions anthem but ‘Advance Australia Fair’ will be played.

Now we are nearly at kick-off, the distribution of support feels a lot more even with no noticeable difference in volume when the players’ names were read out. However, the Lions fans have completely taken over the end behind the goal where the Lions will be kicking towards in the second half. Let’s hope whatever happens it is a tight affair so the Australian public remain engaged in the rest of the series. A blowout Lions win would take the air out of the tour faster than a popped balloon.

For such a magnificent sporting nation, ‘Advance Australia Fair’ always seems curiously under-powered as an anthem. I suppose we can be grateful to have been spared ‘The Power of Four,’ Clive Woodward’s ill-starred attempt at a unifying hymn in 2005.

Australian national anthem time - Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

10:51 AM BST

Reminder of the teams

Australia starting XV: 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), 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Tom Lynagh, 11 Harry Potter, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Max Jorgensen, 15 Tom Wright.

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

Lions starting XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Finn Russell, 11 James Lowe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Tommy Freeman, 15 Hugo Keenan.

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

10:47 AM BST

It is loud

As the Lions players finish their warm-ups and head back into the dressing room, the many, many Lions fans are making a lot of noise. It is a Lions-dominant crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

Lions fans everywhere at Suncorp Stadium - Chris Hyde/Getty Images

10:46 AM BST

Kick-off getting ever nearer

10:44 AM BST

Wayne Barnes- My guide to the Lions Test referees

In 2009, World Rugby ripped up the history books and appointed British and Irish referees to officiate on a Lions tour. Not just any Lions tour; this was a tour to the rugby heartland of South Africa. And though Nigel Owens, Alain Rolland and I were not involved in the Test matches, we were involved in some of the full-blooded provincial games, as the Lions faced up against the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers.
I was appointed to referee the Lions against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein – having run touch in three other games – and it was one of the highlights of my career. Not only did I experience the sea of red shirts around the city in the days leading up to the match, but I saw the best players of the home nations take on the world champions in their own backyard. It was epic, and a huge honour to be the first Englishman to referee the Lions.

10:42 AM BST

Maro Itoje speaking to Sky Sports

10:39 AM BST

Proud moment

What a day today is for the Lynagh family. Joe Schmidt has named Tom at fly-half for the first Test, meaning the Lynaghs will become the first father-son duo to start against the Lions after Michael played for Australia against the Lions in 1989. It is familiar surroundings for Tom, who plays his club rugby for Queensland Reds, who call Suncorp Stadium home.

Tom Lynagh makes his first international start - Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

10:36 AM BST

Pre-match thoughts of Lions starting hooker Dan Sheehan

“It has been something special, you can feel it. What a stadium, what a city, everyday more red showing up, the buzz around the city and the stadium has been brilliant. There is a real special feel about it.
“I am trying my best to stay level-headed, but you can feel the big occasion. That is definitely a good thing. We are in there talking about staying calm, being ourselves, and hopefully that will be enough.”

10:31 AM BST

First Tests

How have the Lions fared in their first Tests on recent tours?

2021: South Africa 17-22 Lions

2017: New Zealand 30-15 Lions

2013: Australia 21-23 Lions

2009: South Africa 26-21 Lions

10:29 AM BST

Australia v Lions first Test predictions

Australia 17 Lions 34

“Reach for the top of Everest”: that was Jim Telfer’s famous message to his Lions players in 1997, in a speech that would become a canonical text for future touring sides. But you have to question whether beating this version of the Wallabies truly represents the pinnacle for Farrell and his team.
Australia are sixth in the world and look worryingly light on carriers in the absence of Skelton and Valetini, while the Lions pack is stacked with fearsome power. Even though the Wallabies attack is much improved under Schmidt, who has made them world leaders in ruck speed, the Lions’ likely domination of the set-piece should lay the platform for a comfortable victory.

10:27 AM BST

Suaalii gearing up

He did this ahead of Australia’s game against England at Allianz Stadium last November and he played pretty well that day. The Australian backline has some serious firepower and speed tonight with the likes of Ikitau, Suaalii, Jorgensen and Wright in their ranks.

10:24 AM BST

The pre-match thoughts of Joe Schmidt

“For us, we just focus on what we can do. We cannot do much to influence the bookies, all we can do is influence each other with the energy we bring and influence the Lions with the pressure we place on them.
“There is a quiet resolve among the players. sometimes you do not want too much energy too far out from the game because they can burn out pretty quickly. When you are coaching, you are never quite sure.
“I have had really good build-ups to games and ones that have not gone so well. But they have prepared well, and I think they will step up tonight.”

Australia are underdogs heading into the series - Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

10:19 AM BST

Keep your comments coming

Our very own Charlie Morgan is answering all your questions and responding to your views in the comments section at the bottom of the blog. Remember you can have your say.

10:17 AM BST

Andy Farrell speaking to Sky Sports

“What a great day, to walk around town and see the tens of thousands of Lions fans here. We have had good preparation; the longer week helps. Putting together the last six weeks and putting that into one performance and hopefully delivering when it matters most.
“We have got to get most things right [to win] against this Australian side. It means a lot to them as it does to us. Nothing concentrates the mind more than a Lions tour over on Australian shores.”

The Lions head into the series as favourites - David Rogers/Getty Images

10:15 AM BST

Reminiscing

Cast your minds back 12 years. What were you doing back in the summer of 2013? Well, the Lions were in Brisbane for the first Test and closed out a narrow 21-23 victory after Kurtley Beale missed a last-ditch penalty which would have won the game for Australia. As mentioned earlier, James Slipper is the only man to have played in that game who will play on Saturday. But interestingly, if you cast your eye down to the Lions bench back in 2013, you will spot Geoff Parling’s name. Parling is on Joe Schmidt’s Australian coaching team and will become new Leicester Tigers head coach after this series. Here is how the sides lined up for that first Test back in 2013:

Australia starting XV in 2013: Berrick Barnes; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali’ifano, Digby Ioane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, James Horwill (captain), Kane Douglas, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu.

Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Pat McCabe, Kurtley Beale.

Lions starting XV in 2013: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Brian O’Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, George North, Jonathan Sexton, Mike Phillips; Alex Corbisiero, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O’Connell, Tom Croft, Sam Warburton (captain), Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland.

10:07 AM BST

You’re a wizard Harry!

Sorry, it had to be done.

Harry Potter starts on the wing for Australia - Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

10:06 AM BST

No Jac Morgan

Presumably these are the Welsh part of the Lions contingent:

No Welsh representation in the matchday 23 - Dave Hunt/Shutterstock

10:03 AM BST

Warren Gatland speaking to Sky Sports

09:59 AM BST

Atmosphere building

This is the scene on Caxton Street which is the main thoroughfare leading into the Suncorp Stadium. Even this doesn’t really capture how rammed the place is. Every single bar, pub and off licence is bursting at the seams. In my highly unscientific survey, I would say the Lions supporters are outnumbering Wallabies by about three to one on the street. It will be interesting to see how that translates to the stadium

A terrific atmosphere and a tonic to all the refrains that rugby union in Australia is in irretrievable decline. Every bar is full to bursting.

Plenty of Lions fans have descended upon Brisbane

09:55 AM BST

The hosts have arrived

09:53 AM BST

Lions in the house

09:51 AM BST

How an All Blacks legend lured Tom Lynagh away from English game

In 2020, 18-year-old fly-half Tom Lynagh had a decision to make. Option one was to stay put where he was as a rising star in the English rugby system and the Harlequins academy set-up. This was the safe, sensible option.
Option two was to accept an offer from Brad Thorn to join the Queensland Reds. This would mean playing in a country where his surname is treated as something close to a deity in an unstable sporting environment. This was the risky, X option.
In the end, Lynagh chose the green-and-gold pill and now he makes his maiden start for Australia in the first Test against the Lions. For the last tour in 2013, Lynagh remembers watching the series in a rugby clubhouse where he was the only one of 300-odd people supporting the Wallabies.
With the benefit of hindsight, it seems natural that Lynagh would have chosen to sign for Queensland, where his father Michael first made that name famous.

09:45 AM BST

A cheeky peak at the Lions jerseys

09:41 AM BST

Ben Curry hits out at Lions fans after ‘gobsmacking’ criticism of twin’s selection

Ben Curry has hit out at critics of brother Tom’s British and Irish Lions selection for Saturday’s first Test in an impassioned defence of his identical twin.
Ben, the older by 90 minutes, is on England duty in Washington, where Steve Borthwick’s side face the United States in their final match of the season.
But he has followed closely events in Brisbane and, in particular, the fallout on social media from head coach Andy Farrell’s decision to prefer Tom to Jac Morgan at openside flanker.
So angered has he been by some of the comments that he questions whether those making them are actually Lions supporters at all.
“There’s been a lot of outside criticism which I’m really disappointed about,” said the Sale Sharks captain. “You’d think people would be Lions supporters, but it doesn’t seem so from looking at social media.
“Some of it is gobsmacking. Tom can’t say anything about it, obviously, but I think it’s incredibly disappointing. Are you Lions supporters or not? That’s what gets me.”

09:33 AM BST

Gatland- My open letter to Lions: This is your chance to become a legend

To Andy, your coaches, management and, most importantly, the players.
I want to wish you all the very best as you prepare, in these final few hours, for the first Test against Australia. To the playing 23 selected by Andy Farrell, you are the lucky ones. You have the opportunity and responsibility to get this Test series off to the perfect start.
It is no coincidence that Australia have chosen Brisbane as the venue for the first Test as their record there has always been pretty good. And Queensland has that never-say-die attitude.
As a coach you can only do so much. You can make subtle changes to the game plan or introduce subs when you feel the time is right during the match, but as a player it is you who must influence the game and the result. And that is the most significant thing and why I say you are the lucky ones. You represent the entire touring party.

09:25 AM BST

Lions fans everywhere

It is a vibrant scene already in King George Square, more than two hours before kick-off, as the Lions supporters choose the Pig ‘n’ Whistle bar as their stage for a takeover. Brisbane City Hall appears to have been lit up in their honour.

The Pig ‘n’ Whistle bar in Brisbane

Brisbane City Hall

09:22 AM BST

Telegraph Rugby Podcast

Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph’s rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game’s most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage, now available on the move! New episodes out after every Lions match this summer.

09:19 AM BST

Have your say

09:15 AM BST

Lions on their way to Suncorp

Just saw the Lions team bus pull past our taxi on the corner of Roma Street which is still a good half a mile from the ground. Even with a police escort, they are making slow progress past all the Brisbane traffic. While they’re not officially late, it feels like they are cutting it fine.

A first glimpse of the red team bus and now the inter-union wind-ups have started. “Don’t worry, lads,” one Englishman shouts to the Lions disciples in dragon-embossed bucket hats, ‘the Welsh boys will be on their way in an Uber.”

09:13 AM BST

Australian hype video

09:11 AM BST

Lions fans have flocked to Brisbane

Enjoying Brisbane - David Davies/PA

Who will win the first Test? - David Rogers/Getty Images

Plenty of Irish representation on the field and off it - David Rogers/Getty Images

09:06 AM BST

No Welsh player in Lions team for first time in 129 years is a national embarrassment

Of all the moments of reckoning for Welsh rugby since the last World Cup, few have been so bleak as the principality’s failure to produce even a single member of the British and Irish Lions squad here in Brisbane, its first such humiliation for 129 years.
It was 1896, a time when the only matchday rule was to restrict lunchtime alcohol consumption to four tumblers of champagne, that Wales was last blanked in a Test line-up in Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
While Andy Farrell’s decision to leave out Jac Morgan against the Wallabies is a bitter pill for the player himself, it pales against the corrosive effect that this move will have on national pride.
When the Lions won the series decider in Sydney by 25 points in 2013, they did so with 10 Welshman among their starters, a preponderance reflecting the fact that head coach Warren Gatland had won a Six Nations Grand Slam with these players just four months earlier.

09:01 AM BST

Why Farrell has backed Curry and Beirne despite their form

What do Steve Diamond, Eddie Jones, Warren Gatland, Alex Sanderson, Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell have in common? Even if four of these coaches are from north-west England, they are different personalities and all six of them have turned to Tom Curry to start big games whenever he has been available. That is no accident.
The back row of the British and Irish Lions side to face Australia in the first Test was always going to cause consternation given the quality of players and combinations available. It was always likely to be shaped by intangible factors, too.
Many will believe that experience and ‘credit in the bank’, to use coaching lexicon, have been prioritised over form in a leap – or perhaps a hop – of faith.
For that reason, Farrell’s selection of Tadhg Beirne and Curry as starting flankers will be divisive. But there is a vast body of evidence to suggest that Curry is a competitor you would want by your side in a dust-up.

08:56 AM BST

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08:51 AM BST

Lions tour schedule

Friday 20th June: Lions 24-28 Argentina

Saturday 28th June: Western Force 7-54 Lions

Wednesday 2nd July: Reds 12-52 Lions

Saturday 5th July: Waratahs 10-21 Lions

Wednesday 9th July: Brumbies 24-36 Lions

Saturday 12th July: Invitational AU 0-48 NZ VS Lions

Today: Australia vs Lions (First Test)

Tuesday 22nd July: First Nations and Pasifika XV vs Lions

Saturday 26th July: Australia vs Lions (Second Test)

Saturday 2nd August: Australia vs Lions (Third Test)

08:45 AM BST

Teams

The biggest call arguably that Joe Schmidt has made is giving Tom Lynagh the nod at fly-half. With no Noah Lolesio available, Schmidt really had the choice of three; James O’Connor, Ben Donaldson or Lynagh, the latter the one who has been chosen.

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

Andy Farrell has opted for an all-Scottish pairing in the centres whilst it is a Tadhg Beirne/ Tom Curry/ Jack Conan combination in the back-row, one of the most competitive areas of the squad.

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

08:38 AM BST

Who will take first blood?

The Test series is finally upon us as the British and Irish Lions take on Australia at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in the first Test. The wait is finally over as Andy Farrell’s men will look to emulate what Warren Gatland’s side did 12 years ago, when they beat Robbie Deans’ Australia 2-1. Since defeat to Argentina in their opening game of the summer, the Lions have won five straight games on Australian soil, against Western Force, Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs, ACT Brumbies and an Invitational AUNZ XV.

The Lions have had yet more injuries to cope with in the build-up to the first Test. Having already lost Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly to tour-ending injuries, they are without Garry Ringrose and Luke Cowan-Dickie, both due to concussion, as well as Mack Hansen and Blair Kinghorn for this first Test. Andy Farrell has spoken ahead of the match about wanting to make the Lions fans proud.

“It has been great to have a settled week, which has been refreshing. We want to see a performance that makes everyone proud here and at home. You have seen the thousands of people who have come out and you get that Lions buzz. We want to be the best version of ourselves. We need to make sure we are concentrating on our performance and go at it from the get-go.”

Can Andy Farrell replicate what Warren Gatland did 12 years ago? - David Rogers/Getty Images

Farrell, who was the Lions defence coach back on the tour to Australia in 2013, is aware of the challenge facing his side in Brisbane today.

“We know their [Australia’s] quality in terms of attacking threats and athletic ability. Their counter-attack and set-piece is good. Their group has been growing in terms of preparation. They have been building for this for the last three or four weeks. They will be ready to go, no doubt about that.”

Australia have had to wait 12 years to have another crack at the Lions having lost the 2013 series 2-1. In the first Test in Brisbane back in 2013, the Lions edged to a narrow 23-21 victory. George North and Alex Cuthbert were on the scoresheet for the Lions that day, with Israel Folau scoring both of Australia’s tries. James Slipper was on the bench for Australia back in 2013 and he takes his place in the starting XV as Australia’s most-capped player of all time.

Joe Schmidt’s side have had just one game in preparation for this series; a narrow 21-18 victory over Fiji nearly two weeks ago. Schmidt has made a big call at fly-half, giving 22-year-old Tom Lynagh the nod. It his first international start and he emulates his father Michael in playing against the Lions, becoming the first father-son duo to do so.

Joe Schmidt has made a big call at fly-half - Brendan Moran/Getty Images

“He [Lynagh] may not seem like he is designed to run a game and dictate what is happening but he has a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence,” Schmidt said. “He has fitted in really well and given us the confidence he is going to run the game really well. It is Suncorp Stadium, it is his home track and it is a fantastic opportunity. It is not ideal to be starting your first Test match for the Wallabies against the Lions but if not now when? You have got to start somewhere.”

Australia have been dealt a number of injury blows ahead of the first Test. Fly-half Noah Lolesio was ruled out of the whole series with a neck injury whilst key forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton miss out today. The wait is finally over and kick-off from Brisbane is at 11am BST.

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