British & Irish Lions First Test vs Australia Team Odds (2025)

With just days to go until the first Test match of the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, we look at the latest betting markets for the starting XV.

Ollie Chessum is now 4/6 in the latest rugby union betting odds to start the first Lions Test match against Australia on Saturday with William Hill, having been as big as 13/2 back in May.

Joe McCarthy is now also odds-on at 4/6 to start after a string of strong performances, the Irish second-row was as big as 5/2 at the start of the tour.

Bet on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia at William Hill

In the midfield, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones are strong favourites at 1/6 and 1/7 respectively to form an all-Scottish centre partnership, while Tommy Freeman (1/7) and James Lowe (1/5) are leading contenders for places on the wings.

Tadgh Furlong (1/2) and Ellis Genge (1/2) are fancied to join Dan Sheehan (1/33) in the front row, while Hugo Keenan (4/6) and Blair Kinghorn (11/10) appear to be fighting it out for the 15 shirt.

Jack Conan (1/3) and Josh van der Flier (8/13) are leading the betting to complete the back-row with Chessum, though that’s the area with the most open betting. Tom Curry is 10/11, Jac Morgan has shortened as the tour has unfolded and is now 5/4, Ben Earl can be backed at 5/2 and Henry Pollock is 11/4 for a spot in the XV.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Many spots still appear to be up for grabs in the Lions’ first XV ahead of their first match against Australia on Saturday, not least in the back-row where Ollie Chessum, 4/6 from 13/2 pre-tournament, has been a big mover since Saturday’s win over the AUNZ invitational side.

“Joe McCarthy has also made a strong case to partner Maro Itoje in the second row, and he’s now odds-on at 4/6 after some physical and efficient displays on tour.

“Along with Itoje of course, Dan Sheehan (1/33), Jamison Gibson-Park (1/7) and Finn Russell (1/10) should all get the nod, while Scotland look like filling the centres with Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones at 1/6 and 1/7 respectively.

“The battle for a spot in the back-row is really interesting, with seven candidates all in contention and priced between 1/3 in the shape of Jack Conan to 11/4-shot Henry Pollock.”

To Start First Test – Back Row:

• Jack Conan – 1/3
• Ollie Chessum – 4/6
• Josh van der Flier – 8/13
• Tom Curry – 10/11
• Jac Morgan – 5/4
• Ben Earl – 5/2
• Henry Pollock – 11/4

To Start First Test – Centre:

• Huw Jones – 1/7
• Sione Tiupulotu – 1/6
• Bundee Aki – 7/4
• Owen Farrell – 10/1

To Start First Test – Fly Half:

• Finn Russell – 1/10
• Fin Smith – 6/1
• Marcus Smith – 8/1
• Owen Farrell – 14/1

To Start First Test – Fullback:

• Hugo Keenan – 4/6
• Blair Kinghorn – 11/10
• Marcus Smith – 10/1

To Start First Test – Hooker:

• Dan Sheehan – 1/33
• Ronan Kelleher – 10/1
• Jamie George – 20/1

To Start First Test – Prop:

• Tadhg Furlong – 1/2
• Ellis Genge – 1/2
• Andrew Porter – 6/4
• Will Stuart – 6/4
• Finlay Bealham – 5/1
• Pierre Schoeman – 12/1

To Start First Test – Scrum Half:

• Jamison Gibson-Park – 1/7
• Alex Mitchell – 5/1
• Ben White – 8/1

To Start First Test – Second Row:

• Maro Itoje – 1/25
• Joe McCarthy – 4/6
• Tadhg Beirne – EVS
• Ollie Chessum – 7/2
• James Ryan – 10/1
• Scott Cummings – 20/1

To Start First Test – Wing:

• Tommy Freeman – 1/7
• James Lowe – 1/5
• Mack Hansen – 3/1
• Duhan van der Merwe – 3/1
• Darcy Graham – 8/1

*Odds accurate at time of writing – prices subject to change*