After months of anticipation, head coach Andy Farrell is set to reveal the British and Irish Lions squad for the 2024 Australia tour on Thursday, 8 May. The announcement will take place at a live event in London, with former Wales wing and current Lions chairman Ieuan Evans unveiling the squad. This marks a significant moment in rugby history as the Lions aim to reclaim the Tom Richards Trophy.

Squad Composition and Key Players

Ireland players are expected to dominate the squad, reflecting their recent strong performances. Scotland and England will also have substantial representation. However, Wales might see fewer players due to their recent struggles. Notable inclusions could be Toulouse back row Jack Willis and former England captain Owen Farrell, who plays for Racing 92.

Captaincy Contenders

England lock Maro Itoje and Ireland number eight Caelan Doris are leading contenders for the captaincy. Both have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills with their national teams.

Tour Fixtures

The Lions will kick off their tour with a match against Argentina in Dublin on 20 June. This will be followed by five warm-up matches in Australia before the three-Test series begins in Brisbane on 19 July. Key fixtures include:

• 20 June: Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)
• 19 July: Lions v Australia, first Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)
• 26 July: Lions v Australia, second Test, Melbourne (MCG)
• 2 August: Lions v Australia, third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)

Coaching Team

Farrell’s coaching team includes Simon Easterby, Andrew Goodman, and John Fogarty from Ireland’s setup. Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel and England senior coach Richard Wigglesworth are also part of the team. This is the first time since 2001 that there is no Welshman among the Lions coaches.

Historic Moments in Australia

The Lions have a rich history in Australia, with their first tour dating back to 1888. Notable moments include the 1989 series win and the 2013 victory where they reclaimed the Tom Richards Trophy. Welshman George North’s iconic performances were pivotal in the 2013 series.

How to Follow the Announcement

Fans can follow the squad announcement live on the BBC Sport website and app from 13:00 BST. The Rugby Union Weekly team will also provide in-depth analysis in a special podcast available on BBC Sounds.

Stay tuned for more updates as the British and Irish Lions prepare for an exciting tour Down Under!