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Right, that\u2019s all from me.<\/strong> I need, well, possibly a cold beer actually. Here\u2019s Robert Kitson\u2019s report for further reading. Thanks for your company.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Itoje highlights directness in attack and sharpness in the transition as areas where the Lions were lacking<\/strong>, but gives due credit to the opposition. \u201cArgentina showed us where we were lacking,\u201d he adds. \u201cI\u2019m happy we had a hard-fought game and now we know exactly where we are. The message is we live and learn.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Itoje gives his thoughts post-match,<\/strong> exuding an air of calm despite his obvious disappointment. \u201cWe just weren\u2019t as consistent as we would have liked,\u201d he said. \u201cI think we showed glimmers of what we could do but we didn\u2019t consistently apply the pressure.<\/p>\n \u201cWe let them off and Argentina caught us at times. Some areas of the game were nowhere near accurate enough, but when we were on it, we looked good, we just need to do it more consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What will the Lions take away from this match, then?<\/strong> Their lineout needs serious work, that\u2019s for sure. Their attacking patterns and final passes also need sharpening up but, then again, that\u2019s exactly why it\u2019s important to play warm-up matches against quality opposition. On a positive note, their scrum was excellent and the pace of their attacking play was dizzying at times. All food for thought for Farrell and his coaches.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Full time: Lions 24-28 Argentina<\/p>\n The Lions win the lineout, which certainly isn\u2019t a given. They play through the phases, Hansen making a bit of ground. Bodies crash against a white and blue barrier in a futile bombardment. The Pumas win the turnover and boot the ball clear, celebrating wildly. It\u2019s a great win for them, though the Lions will have learned some useful lessons from a performance which had plenty of bright spots.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.58 EDT<\/p>\n 79 min<\/strong> Argentina finally cough up the ball and the Lions come forwards for a desperate attack. The Pumas give away a penalty for offside in their eagerness to see off their opponents, leaving Fin Smith to kick to the corner. The Lions are in the last-chance saloon.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.54 EDT<\/p>\n 78 min<\/strong> Argentina just need to hang on to the ball here. They duly play through the phases as slowly as possible.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 76 min<\/strong> The Lions rumble forwards, laying siege to Argentina\u2019s tryline. The Pumas give away a penalty for offside, but it\u2019s overturned as Beirne is pinged for some neck wrangling.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.51 EDT<\/p>\n 75 min<\/strong> A scrappy spell of kicking ends with a scrum for the Lions after a spill from the Pumas. It goes skywards first time round and has to be reset. Second time round, Juli\u00e1n Montoya gives away a penalty for kicking the ball out of Daly\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.49 EDT<\/p>\n 71 min<\/strong> It\u2019s another subpar lineout from the Lions, Argentina winning the ball and then sending a kick upfield which Freeman knocks on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 70 min<\/strong> Hansen, also on as a replacement, ploughs a furrow down the right flank, throwing a cute little dummy in the process. Carreras gives away a penalty for a tackle off the ball and the Lions kick to the corner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 67 min <\/strong>The Lions lose their own lineout \u2013 which has been a bit shaky \u2013 and Argentina end up with a penalty, which they kick for territory. The Pumas come forwards but Pollock steals the ball brilliantly. Elliot Daly, on as a replacement, almost finds a way through, but he is brought to ground.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 64 min<\/strong> The Lions get a series of mini-breakthroughs, Marcus Smith and Tuipulotu threatening to go clear, but Argentina stand firm.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 62 min<\/strong> The teams trade kicks and the ball ends up with the Lions, Pollock almost nipping through. The Lions play it through the hands and Freeman attempts a dink over the top, but Albornoz, who has been immense tonight, gets there first.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Lions 24-28 Argentina (Santiago Cordero)<\/p>\n It\u2019s another ruthless counter from Argentina. Pollock misses a tackle in the middle of the field and, from there, the Pumas slice the Lions to ribbons, the replacement Santiago Cordero beating Marcus Smith to the line to put them back in front. Albornoz converts.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 57 min<\/strong> Knock? What knock? Freeman razors through the Argentinian defence, but they eventually regroup and snuff out the danger.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 56 min<\/strong> Vivas is back on the field after his spell on the sidelines, ending the Lions\u2019 man advantage.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 55 min<\/strong> Freeman needs medical treatment and it looks like Mack Hansen might come on, but Freeman shakes off the knock and looks determined to carry on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Lions 24-21 Argentina (Tadhg Beirne)<\/p>\n The two sides trade position before the Lions win a lineout, initiating an attack which ends with Ellis Genge exploding through the middle of the pitch. He\u2019s brought down close to the line, but the Lions hang on to the ball. They play it through the hands, eventually finding Beirne in space. He spots the opening and crashes over, Fin Smith converting.<\/p>\n Tadhg Beirne scores for the Lions! Photograph: Ramsey Cardy\/Sportsfile\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.28 EDT<\/p>\n 48 min<\/strong> The Lions win yet another penalty at the scrum after turning the Argentinian forwards. The forwards are absolutely bossing it. Farrell makes three changes, Tomos Williams, R\u00f3nan Kelleher and Henry Pollock coming on. The latter gets a particularly big cheer.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.23 EDT<\/p>\n PENALTY TRY! Lions 17-21 Argentina<\/p>\n The Lions win the lineout and initiate a driving maul, but it collapses on the line. Doleman adjudges Vivas to have brought it down deliberately, awarding a penalty try and sending the Pumas prop to the sin bin.<\/p>\n James Doleman awards a penalty try to the Lions. Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.22 EDT<\/p>\n 44 min<\/strong> Tuipulotu goes on a marauding run up the right wing, putting Argentina on the back foot. The Lions play it through the hands all the way to Ben Earl on the far side, but he can\u2019t find an opening. Argentina give away a penalty and Fin Smith kicks to the corner. Can the Lions get a try here?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42 min<\/strong> The opening exchanges of the second half are a bit scrappy. Fin Smith gets away a kick under pressure, but it goes long.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Second half kicks off!<\/p>\n We\u2019re back under way at the Aviva. The Lions send up the kick and charge forwards with renewed vigour.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Right, well, we\u2019ve all just about caught our breath from that first half,<\/strong> but it\u2019s almost time for the second. John Fogarty, the Lions assistant coach, speaks to Sky on the sidelines, admitting \u201cthe guys are a little bit frustrated inside\u201d and there were \u201ctoo many errors in the first half\u201d. He calls for more energy and focus after the break. Will the Lions answer the call?<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Half-time, Lions 10-21 Argentina<\/p>\n Albornoz converts his own try to cap an excellent end to the first half for Argentina. It was played at a rattling pace and both sides showcased some excellent attacking rugby, but the Pumas were more clinical in taking their chances.<\/p>\n The Lions are getting a stern test of their credentials, as expected. Still, it\u2019s all to play for.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.28 EDT<\/p>\n TRY! Lions 10-19 Argentina (Tom\u00e1s Albornoz)<\/p>\n Oof, that\u2019s a gut punch. The Lions bomb forward in search of a score before half-time, but Argentina win the ball in their own 22 and counter-attack ruthlessly. Carreras roars down the line, isolates Marcus Smith and throws a lovely pass to Albornoz, who scorches downfield to score before celebrating with the Pumas substitutes.<\/p>\n Albornoz goes over for Argentina! Photograph: Ramsey Cardy\/Sportsfile\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.02 EDT<\/p>\n PENALTY! Lions 10-14 Argentina (Tom\u00e1s Albornoz)<\/p>\n There\u2019s no way Albornoz is going to miss from right under the posts. He strokes the ball over nonchalantly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38 min<\/strong> Argentina win the scrum, just about, and go through the phases, meeting a wall of red shirts. The Lions give away advantage for offside. Mayco Vivas knocks on after a bone-crunching tackle from Tuipulotu. Doleman brings it back for the penalty.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 35 min<\/strong> Argentina get the ball back and put Marcus Smith under pressure at full-back with a clever little kick through the lines. He manages to ground the ball for a five-metre scrum.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 32 min<\/strong> The relentless pace eases off a bit as the two sides trade kicks. The Lions lose their own lineout, Argentina burst forward and Oviedo almost goes through. Morgan gets over the ball and forces a penalty, Oviedo failing to release. There\u2019s a TMO review, checking a ruck where Joel Sclavi failed to engage properly, but Doleman sticks with a penalty.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 30 min<\/strong> The Lions win the lineout and explode out of the blocks. It\u2019s a bit rushed, however, Freeman throwing an offload which is knocked on as Aki and Tuipulotu both go for it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 min<\/strong> The Lions win another penalty at the scrum, where they have dominated so far. The kick goes to the corner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>PENALTY! Lions 10-11 Argentina (Tom\u00e1s Albornoz)<\/p>\n Tom Curry gives away a penalty at the ruck for failing to release and Albornoz fancies his chances from a fair old distance. He nails the kick, cool as you like.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.34 EDT<\/p>\n 22 min<\/strong> There\u2019s a review after Joaqu\u00edn Oviedo accidentally clashes heads with Fin Smith at close quarters. Doleman makes a good, common-sense decision and opts to give a penalty without reaching for the yellow card.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Lions 10-8 Argentina (Bundee Aki)<\/p>\n The Lions get a scrum under the posts for an initial knock-on from Argentina. They play it through the hands, putting their opponents under severe pressure. Marcus Smith and Tuipulotu tee up Aki, who charges to the line and blasts past three defenders. Fin Smith converts. The Lions are off the mark.<\/p>\n Bundee Aki finishes off a smart Lions move. Photograph: Peter Morrison\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.57 EDT<\/p>\n 18 min<\/strong> No try! The Lions win the lineout and work a lovely move, Tuipulotu crossing under the posts. Doleman gives it initially, but there\u2019s a clear knock-on from Mitchell amid a bout of pinball between the two sides. The TMO, again, intervenes to a smattering of pantomime boos.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.28 EDT<\/p>\n 16 min<\/strong> The Lions win a scrum in a promising position. The Argentinians collapse and hand over advantage. The men in red go through the phases, Freeman almost bursting through. Doleman brings it back for the penalty, which Fin Smith kicks to the corner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>TRY! Lions 3-8 Argentina (Ignacio Mendy)<\/p>\n Oh that is superb. A flowing passing move from the Argentinians ends with Santiago Carreras finding Mendy out wide. He jinks inside, cutting a swathe through the Lions\u2019 defence, and crosses to score in style. Albornoz misses the conversion.<\/p>\n Ignacio Mendy goes over for a brilliant try for Argentina. Photograph: Niall Carson\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.27 EDT<\/p>\n 11 min<\/strong> Alex Mitchell is put under pressure on the Lions\u2019 tryline, but throws a lovely trick pass to get out of trouble.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>PENALTY! Lions 3-3 Argentina (Fin Smith)<\/p>\n The Pumas cough up a penalty and Fin Smith steps up for a long kick to posts. It\u2019s beautifully weighted and the Lions have their first points on the board.<\/p>\n Fin Smith nails the kick. Photograph: Peter Morrison\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.20 EDT<\/p>\n 9 min<\/strong> An inch-perfect kick from Fin Smith almost finds Morgan in the corner, but Mendy intercepts. That was so, so close.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 7 min<\/strong> The Lions roar back immediately, Van der Merwe almost bulldozing through only to be brought down at the last. They end up with a lineout, which they win. A driving maul ends with Cowan-Dickie going over and, seemingly, scoring the first try of the 2025 tour. Replays show that he lost control of the ball as he rolled away to score, however, and the TMO overturns the on-pitch decision.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>PENALTY! Lions 0-3 Argentina (Tom\u00e1s Albornoz)<\/p>\n The kick sails serenely through the posts. It\u2019s first blood to Argentina, who have started aggressively.<\/p>\n Tom\u00e1s Albornoz gets Argentina up and running. Photograph: Charles McQuillan\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.27 EDT<\/p>\n 3 min<\/strong> Argentina push and probe early on, but Beirne intercepts a pass to kill their momentum. The two sides trade kicks before the Pumas get their first big opening, Ignacio Mendy getting within 10 metres of the try line. The Lions give away a penalty for offside. Tom\u00e1s Albornoz steps up \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.11 EDT<\/p>\n Kick-off!<\/p>\n James Doleman, the referee, blows the whistle, Argentina send up a big kick, and we are off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The sides walk out to the customary blast of pyro.<\/strong> We get a lively rendition of the Argentinian national anthem. The stadium is wreathed in a kind of ethereal smoke. Hard not to be excited, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The teams are in the tunnel.<\/strong> Itoje looks laser focused. The Lions are about to walk out in Dublin for the first time. Lovely stuff.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The Lions have rattled off their pre-match huddle.<\/strong> The stadium is starting to fill out. A little under 10 minutes to go. Whoosh.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It looks like there are excellent vibes in and around the Aviva right now.<\/strong> A good few pints of Guinness put away, no doubt. (Other stouts are available.)<\/p>\n Lions fans get ready to cheer on the team in earnest. Photograph: Andrew Conan\/INPHO\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n The two sides are out on the pitch<\/strong>, the backs running a few passing drills and the forwards warming up on the tackle pads. Just under half an hour to go until kick-off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This is Andy Farrell\u2019s first match as Lions head coach,<\/strong> so it\u2019s a big night for him personally. Asked what he wants to see from the team, he says: \u201cTo be the best version of themselves. There\u2019s no excuses, the shirt demands that.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve been together for 12 days. There was a lot of information that went into them in the first week, but this week has been a pretty normal Test week. We know the importance of the game for everyone and we\u2019re really excited to get the show on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Farrell Sr has also taken some time to share his thoughts.<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s there for everyone to see who\u2019s been in town today,\u201d he says, when asked about the significance of the occasion. \u201cIt\u2019s a sea of red that we\u2019re accustomed to seeing with the Lions travelling support, they\u2019ve come out in their thousands here to Dublin and made their voices heard.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully we can put on a performance that gets them going in the stadium as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Owen Farrell, who remains on standby for the Lions, is working as a Sky Sports pundit tonight.<\/strong> While he demurs on the possibility of him linking up with the squad at a later stage of the tour, he does open up on what it means to wear the jersey. \u201cIt\u2019s unbelievably special. I think that word probably gets used a bit too much, but I really mean it when I talk about the Lions.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything about it is different. Coming together from all four nations, the fans, everything that goes with it. It\u2019s the best of the best, but you don\u2019t really know what that\u2019s like until you get here and you feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Asked what success looks like this evening,<\/strong> Itoje adds: \u201cWe want to win. We\u2019re not here to just play well and lose.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to win. Every time the Lions take to the field, that has to be the ambition.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Maro Itoje has taken a moment to speak with Sky Sports before the match.<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s been amazing,\u201d he says, when asked how he is settling into his captaincy role. \u201cFirst of all, the talent is clear for everyone to see. We have a group of men who are determined to do well, a group of men who want to succeed, so it\u2019s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of. The coaches, the whole staff have been great, so I\u2019m enjoying it so far.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked what he\u2019s hoping to see from the Lions against the Pumas, he says: \u201cWhat I\u2019m hoping for tonight is cohesion. We know Argentina are a good side, they\u2019ve proved over the last couple of years what they\u2019re about. But, from our point of view, if we\u2019re cohesive, if we\u2019re a tight unit, we\u2019ll do well tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.14 EDT<\/p>\n Looking for a rundown of the rest of our live coverage this weekend?<\/strong> Here\u2019s everything you need to know.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The lineups<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a reminder of the starting XVs, in case needed.<\/p>\n Lions:<\/strong> Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham, Maro Itoje (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl.<\/p>\n Argentina:<\/strong> Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgr\u00f3, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy; Tom\u00e1s Albornoz, Gonzalo Garc\u00eda; Mayco Vivas, Juli\u00e1n Montoya (captain), Joel Sclavi, Franco Molina, Pedro Rubiolo, Pablo Matera, Juan Mart\u00edn Gonz\u00e1lez, Joaqu\u00edn Oviedo.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n And so it begins. After all the hype, buzz and anticipation, the 2025 Lions tour is about to get under way.<\/p>\n Before the squad fly out to Australia, there\u2019s the small matter of a tough warm-up match against Argentina, ranked fifth in the world, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It will be the first time the Lions have played in Ireland, a historic occasion which the squad\u2019s 16-strong Irish contingent will be especially keen to mark with a win. Tadhg Beirne, who will start at lock, has said as much, telling the press: \u201cFor us Irish players it\u2019s extra special and means a lot.\u201d Beirne was part of the Ireland side that narrowly beat Argentina 22-19<\/a> at the Aviva last November, a result which hints at just how tough this game could be.<\/p>\n