The British & Irish Lions kick off their Australian tour against Super Rugby’s Western Force in Perth
Watch Western Force v British & Irish Lions live streams as the touring side kick off their tour to Australia in Perth.
Can Andy Farrell’s men bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Argentina in Dublin? This guide will tell you everything you need to know to watch Western Force v Lions online, on TV and from anywhere today – including a free option if you’re in the US this weekend.
Scroll down to the end of the article for a preview of this eagerly anticipated match.
Western Force v British & Irish Lions
– Western Force v British & Irish Lions date: Saturday 28 June 2025
– Western Force v British & Irish Lions venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
– Western Force v British & Irish Lions kick-off time: 11.00am BST / 6.00am ET / 6.00pm (local) / 8.00pm AEST
– Western Force v British & Irish Lions FREE STREAM: RugbyPass TV (US)
– Other TV channels: Sky Sports/Now (UK and Ireland) / Stan Sport (Australia)
– Watch from anywhere: Try NordVPN 100% risk-free
Live stream Western Force v British & Irish Lions for FREE in the US
US-based rugby fans can watch Western Force v British & Irish Lions live streams for free on World Rugby’s RugbyPass TV service. The platform is also the place to go for the Lions’ five other upcoming warm-up matches, though you’ll need CBS or subscription service Paramount+ to watch the three Test matches. Check out our guide to British & Irish Lions fixtures to find out when the touring side are playing.
Remember to set your alarm, though, because the first match of the Lions’ tour down under kicks off at 6.00am ET/3.00am PT this morning.
Travelling outside the US when Western Force v British & Irish Lions gets underway? The wonders of VPNs mean you don’t have to miss out on your usual home service when you’re abroad. Cast your eyes below to find out more…
Watch Western Force v British & Irish Lions from anywhere
Travelling overseas this weekend? Don’t worry because you can still watch the first of the 2025 Lions’ games on Australian soil as if you were back at home in front of your own TV.
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Watch every Lions match on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland
For Lions fans in the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports is the place to go for every one of the side’s matches this summer – including this Western Force v British & Irish Lions live stream.
The build-up starts at 10.00am BST on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action, ahead of the 11.00am kick-off.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch the game via the Sky Go app for desktop, iOS, Android, PlayStation and Xbox. Visit the Sky website for more information.
Watch Lions live streams in Australia
Australian rugby fans can watch every 2025 British & Irish Lions matches – including Western Force v the Lions – ad-free on Stan Sport. Stan Sport costs $15/month on top of your usual Stan plan.
The match kicks off in Perth at 6.00pm AWST / 8.00pm AEST this evening.
All three of the Wallabies Test matches against the Lions will be available for FREE on Nine and its 9Now streaming service
Live stream Western Force v Lions in South Africa
As with the whole of the 2025 tour, SuperSport has rights to Western Force v British & Irish Lions live streams in South Africa. Kick-off is at midday today.
There are various SuperSport packages available, covering traditional TV on DStv and direct live streaming.
Watch Western Force v British & Irish Lions in New Zealand
In New Zealand, subscription broadcaster Sky Sport NZ will be your destination for a Western Force v Lions live stream. The match kicks off at 10.00pm NZST tonight.
A subscription to streaming service Sky Sport Now costs $54.99 per month or $549.99 per year (equivalent to $45.83 per month). Day passes are also available for $29.99.
Western Force v British & Irish Lions preview
Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions squad have now landed in Australia, and – after spending the last few days acclimatising to their new time zone – start the tour in earnest against Super Rugby franchise the Western Force.
Having narrowly lost last weekend’s Aviva Stadium encounter with Argentina, the 2025 Lions will be desperate to get their first victory on the board. Farrell and his Lions coaching staff have made numerous changes from Dublin, naming a starting XV dominated by players from Ireland.
Sione Tuipulotu and Tadhg Beirne are the only players to retain their places from last week, though both have shifted positions – Tuipulotu from outside to inside centre, and Beirne from second row to blindside flanker.
Dan Sheehan (making his Lions debut) will captain the side from hooker, alongside Pierre Schoeman and Tadhg Furlong in the front row. Scott Cummings and Joe McCarthy are the locks, ahead of a back row of Beirne, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock.
Tomos Williams and Finn Russell are the half-backs, while Tuipulotu and Garry Ringrose are the centres. A familiar Ireland pairing of James Lowe and Mack Hansen starts on the wings, with Elliot Daly at full-back.
The Perth-based Western Force finished in the bottom half of this year’s Super Rugby table, but can call on six players from Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies squad, including former Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Nic White. The Lions beat the Force 69-17 back in 2013 – and don’t lose many warm-up matches on tour – but hosts will surely raise their game for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on the Lions.
Western Force v British & Irish Lions line-ups and officials
Western Force
Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Alex Harford, Nic White (captain); Tom Robertson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Ollie Hoskins, Sam Carter, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Vaiolini Ekuasi
Replacements:
Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Reed Prinsep, Henry Robertson, Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle
British & Irish Lions
Elliot Daly, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Scott Cummings, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock
Replacements:
Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Alex Mitchell, Huw Jones, Marcus Smith
Today’s referee is Ben O’Keeffe of New Zealand, and he’s assisted by fellow Kiwis Paul Williams and James Doleman. Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa) is the TMO.
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