Rugby fans are in for an early treat this Wednesday as the British & Irish Lions gear up for one of their most anticipated tour matches ahead of the first Test against Australia. Read on to find a detailed outright preview and top betting recommendations.
 | WATCH RUGBY LIVE |
To add to the In-Play excitement, bet365 stream over 200,000 events live to your PC every year - so you can bet as the action unfolds. Highlights include Masters Series Tennis tournaments and matches from some of the top domestic Soccer leagues in the world. To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Any fixture/event on our website which has the Play or Video icon next to it is scheduled to be shown via Live Streaming. Geo location and live streaming rules apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
Rugby betting tips: ACT Brumbies vs British & Irish Lions Predictions for Rugby Union
Will the Lions Roar or Be Rattled in Canberra?
- The Brumbies have retained only seven starters from their Super Rugby semi-final loss to the Chiefs.
- James Lowe starts on the left wing for a Lions backline that has outscored the forwards 14 tries to 5 on tour.
- Andy Muirhead played every minute of the Brumbies’ 2025 campaign and shifts to full-back for this clash.
Our Best Bet
British & Irish Lions To Win, Ben O'Donnell & James Lowe Both To Score A Try | |
9/2 - odds when tipped |  |
Reasoning A powerful Lions side looks set to dominate possession, offering James Lowe plenty of chances out wide. Meanwhile, Ben O'Donnell brings a fresh threat for the Brumbies. With both players capable of finding the line, combining them in a tryscorer bet tied to a Lions win represents strong value. | |
The focus shifts to GIO Stadium in Canberra where they will take on the ACT Brumbies, arguably their sternest non-Test opponents on this Australian leg. While the Lions boast an imposing lineup that may resemble the eventual Test XV, the Brumbies have their own story—one built on Super Rugby success and historical resilience against this touring force.
Earlier in the week, the Lions edged past the Waratahs in a low-scoring, scrappy affair, raising questions about their fluidity and accuracy. Their response? Farrell names a side brimming with intent, packed with players likely to feature against the Wallabies. From Maro Itoje’s leadership in the engine room to Jamison Gibson-Park’s sharpness at the base, the visitors have signalled they mean business.
On the other side, the Brumbies—Australia’s best provincial outfit in 2025—have kept some of their key personnel intact from their semi-final run in Super Rugby Pacific. Though several Test-calibre names are absent, they’ve retained sufficient firepower to make this clash compelling. Notably, Andy Muirhead starts at full-back following a gruelling campaign where he played every minute, while winger Ben O’Donnell returns after injury, looking to make an instant impact.
With pressure building ahead of the Test series, both sides know this match could set the tone for what’s to come. Kick-off is set for 11:00 BST and will be shown live on Sky Sports, promising a clash of styles, intensity and ambition.
Featured Offer  | |
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
Best Bet For Today’s Action:
British & Irish Lions To Win, Ben O’Donnell & James Lowe Both To Score A Try
Here at BettingTips4You, we believe in precision over volume when it comes to betting selections. Rather than overwhelming readers with a flood of options, we focus our attention on delivering one standout tip for each key match. This approach provides clarity for punters and ensures that each recommendation is backed by thorough reasoning and high accountability.
In today’s marquee contest, the value lies in pairing a Lions win with tries from James Lowe and Ben O’Donnell. At 9/2, this offers an enticing return, especially considering how the game might unfold tactically.
Why This Tip Stands Out
Despite the disparity in resources between the touring Lions and the provincial Brumbies, this contest promises enough competitiveness to favour attacking opportunities for specific individuals. James Lowe is one of the standout finishers in the Lions’ ranks and is operating on the left wing—a channel the Lions frequently target. His combination with Finn Russell, who provides width and creativity from fly-half, increases the likelihood of line breaks on his side. Lowe’s finishing ability, coupled with his familiarity with high-pressure fixtures, gives him a strong chance of getting on the scoreboard.
On the opposite flank, Ben O’Donnell has been named in the Brumbies’ starting backline after a prolonged injury absence, suggesting that head coach Stephen Larkham has faith in his match sharpness. While the Lions are heavy favourites, the Brumbies have shown in the past they can strike quickly when opportunities arise. O’Donnell, with his explosive pace and eye for a gap, is the most likely try threat for the home side—especially given how wide the Lions’ defensive line can sometimes stretch in transition.
The Lions should secure victory, but their defensive structures may offer isolated gaps, particularly in broken play. This could benefit O’Donnell’s elusive running style. Meanwhile, Lowe is in a prime position to benefit from the Lions’ structured attacks and clinical execution in the final third. This dual-try bet, anchored to a Lions win, aligns neatly with both teams’ tactical set-ups and recent performances.
Enhance your betting game with our daily free betting tips, predictions, and accumulators.
For more betting tips and news, check out:
Don’t forget to visit our Free Bets page for the best possible value as well as our Predictions.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Exclusive Tips
Want to have exclusive tips from experts tipsters delivered right into your inbox? Subscribe Now To Our Newsletter. We will never spam, we fully respect your privacy!
Selected Bookmakers Offers
 | |
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
| |
Open Account Offer – New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org | |
| |
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. | |
 | |
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. Acca Club: Available to new & existing customers. 3 or more selections. Min Odds: 3/10 (1.3) per leg. Max stake: £500. Max Winnings: £200,000 per boost. Profit Boost amounts vary. Horse Racing, Greyhounds & Trotting excluded. Exclusions apply. Full T&C’s apply. 18+ GambleAware.org. | |
 | |
New members only. £10+ bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook only. 2x£5 Free Bets for Bet Builder only. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. T&Cs.+ deposit exclusions apply #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
New customers only, 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at 2.0+ to qualify for £25 in free bets and 10 Free Spins. Free Bets and Spins valid 7 days. £0.10 Free Spins. T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
New members only. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals), placed & settled at 1.5 min odds in 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days, use on sportsbook only (ex. virtuals), stakes not returned. T&Cs Apply and deposit exclusions apply. Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
18+ New customers only. Opt in, and bet £10 on football markets (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get 6x£5 football free bets at specified odds for set markets, which expire after 7 days. Offer valid from 12:00 UK Time on 25/08/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply | gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
