The bookies have dropped the ball on this one. With a few sharp market picks, you can turn what looks like a one-sided steamroll into a thrilling watch — and what’s more exciting than walking away a winner? Each of our three selections is a cracking value bet. Back them all with a tenner, and you could be roaring with the Lions to the tune of £32.
There’s little doubt as to who the bookies are backing in the first test of the Lions Tour of 2025, they’ve got the British and Irish Lions priced at 1/250. Back that with a tenner and you’re staring down an earth-shattering profit of … 4p. Root around the sofa cushions and you’re likely to find a better result. Luckily, there’s plenty of value elsewhere, we’ve got a trio that go together as nicely as a pub, pint and a packet of crisps.
ACT Brumbies vs British and Irish Lions Odds
| Market | Odds from bet365 |
|---|---|
| British & Irish Lions: – 32.5 Handicap – Yes | 10/11 |
| Dan SheehanTto Score a Try | 21/20 |
| Tommy Freeman To Score a Try | 4/11 |
*Odds correct as of 10:46am 08/07/2025
ACT Brumbies vs British and Irish Lions Tips
Bet 1: British & Irish Lions – 32.5 Handicap – Yes (10/11)
The idea behind the Lions Tour is to unite the best English, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish players into one dream team, showcasing the very finest of British and Irish rugby union.
Basically, it’s going to be a bloody nightmare for any team to try and compete with that. You’ve got more chance of a goldfish winning a marathon.
We don’t just think the British and Irish Lions will win, we think they’re going to win by a lot. Andy Farrell has picked an amazingly strong squad, and as they prepare for the Test series against the Wallabies, every player will be looking to make a statement and get on the scoreboard.
The ACT Brumbies are no pushovers, showing solid form with mixed results in Super Rugby lately. But considering the Lions tore past the Western Force (54-7) and the Reds (52-12), and now boast an even stronger lineup — including the deadly pairing of Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park — we think these Lions are ready to rip the hide off that betting line.
Bet 2: Dan Sheehan To Score a Try (21/20)
There’s a lot of Irish pride packed into this Lions squad. Hooker Dan Sheehan, with 32 caps for Ireland, isn’t just aiming to prove to Andy Farrell that he deserves a spot in the final Test lineup, he wants to show the world that Irish rugby union belongs front and centre on the international stage.
Sheehan’s tackling and ball-carrying are exceptional, and we’d be surprised if he doesn’t cross the try line at least once. He’s scored 75 points for Ireland, and in his professional career, he’s managed 45 tries from 84 games—an impressive strike rate of 53.5%. The current odds translate to an implied probability of about 48.8%, which might seem reasonable at first glance.
But consider the occasion: opportunities will be plentiful, and the motivation to get on the board will be at its peak. We estimate these factors push the true probability closer to 80%, meaning the bookmakers could be undervaluing him by around 30%. That’s proper standout value. If you’re looking for a smart punt with some serious upside, this one’s screaming to be snapped up.
Bet 3: Tommy Freeman To Score a Try (4/11)
Building the perfect acca is a lot like assembling the ideal Lions squad: each piece has to be strong on its own and work seamlessly with the rest. And let’s face it, if the British & Irish Lions are going to rip through a 32.5-point deficit, they’ll need multiple players putting points on the board.
Enter 24-year-old wing Tommy Freeman. Creative, physical, and with a sixth sense for finding gaps, he’s the kind of player who can turn half-chances into full-on fireworks. He’s proven it all season. Across England, Northampton, and the Lions, Freeman has notched 21 tries in 27 games. That’s a 77.7% strike rate.
Factor in the extra motivation on tour and the wide-open opportunities that come with this fixture, and we’d say that rises closer to 90%. So, with the bookies clearly snoozing on the value here at 4/11 (73.3% implied probability), we’re wide awake and ready to cash in.
