Opinion: I’m a sports fan but I’m not sure this year's Lions tour is essential TV viewing

The British and Irish Lions lead the series 1-0 heading into Saturday's second test against Australia in Melbourne.

A series which now looks to be finely poised on paper but doesn’t tell the full story.

The Lions put on a dominant display in the first test racing to a 24-5 advantage early on asserting the tourist’s favourites tag in the lead up to the series.

However, rather than extending their advantage, the Lions were stifled by their own complacency and lack of discipline in a flat second period allowing Australia to keep the losing margin to just eight points.

The scoreboard certainly didn’t reflect the difference in quality between the two sides at the moment but ultimately left more questions than answers for Andy Farrell’s side.

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If the Lions can eradicate the mistakes from the 2nd half then there is every opportunity for an even-greater winning margin in the two upcoming tests. Much of the rhetoric surrounding the Lions has been dominated by call-ups, team selections and mentality rather than the playing intricacies and tactics of the match up with the Wallabies topping the agenda.

The series has been devoid of any intense rivalry and lacked the competitive edge of previous editions which has greatly impacted the viewing experience of one of Rugby’s landmark events.

Lions tours have consistently been decided throughout history by the finest of margins dictated, often, by individual moments of brilliance or a single lapse in judgement or concentration.

This always created a jeopardy and tension that easily rivalled any other sporting event. However these traits seem to be absent from the tour this year overshadowed by a potentially mismatched contest unravelling. The toughest test for the Lions this year came in their final midweek match against a First Nations and Pasifika XV, only winning marginally in a 24-19 victory.

It was the first time the Lions were truly put under pressure during the tour as their opponents looked to pull off a remarkable upset. It made for an exciting conclusion to the game which has been missing in the test series as of yet only exemplifying the absence of competitive Rugby throughout the tour.

Head coach Andy Farrell and Ellis Genge arrive for the British & Irish Lions squad captain's run at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia

The last three tours for the British and Irish Lions have been decided by the third test after tightly contested victories to decide the previous encounters between the two.

This year’s tour is a stark contrast to the series in 2017 where the Lions and the All Blacks couldn't be separated after three fiercely contested battles. In 2021, just nine points separated the Lions and South Africa over their first two tests before another marginal victory saw the Springboks emerge victorious in a thrilling series.

If the Lions can replicate their first half performance in the second test then the series could be decided before the series returns to Sydney for the final test next week. Australia’s attitude towards the series off the field hasn’t helped to build the atmosphere and ethos which often makes the British and Irish Lion’s tours so special.

Melbourne’s two stadiums, the MCG and Marvel stadium are hosting Aussie Rules games each night from Thursday to Sunday in a weekend where the slate would usually be kept clean if the Lions were in town.

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The comfortable manner of the Lion’s first test victory won’t help to drum up interest for locals in the city but shouldn’t deter the strong Irish contingent in Australia from making their presence felt.

Ultimately, these scheduling conflicts illustrate the approach which Australia’s sporting body is treating their Rugby team at this moment in time. It’s certainly a contributing factor to the diminished excitement around the series as well as from a fan’s match going experience.

Nine Ireland internationals have been named in the starting fifteen for the second test which should keep Irish fans engaged. Monitoring the performances of these homegrown players can be a source of interest for local supporters in what is expected to be a straight forward win for the Lions to clinch the series.

Fans will be delighted at the opportunity to see the Lions in action but may miss out on some of the thrilling games of tours gone by. Much of the lack of competitive edge within the series can be attributed to the difficult position Australia find themselves in after a turbulent few years as they try to return to Rugby’s top table.

This Lions tour has only highlighted their inadequacies rather than offer a platform for a redemption story much to the expense of the fans watching on at home.

Rugby and Lions fans will be closely following the rest of the series but it looks like it’s one that won’t live long in the memory despite Sky Sports best efforts to keep the hype of the series alive.

Dan Biggar reacts to Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad announcement for the second Test against Australia pic.twitter.com/Tz4c3PVeth

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 24, 2025

The discussions amongst sports fans this year hasn’t been dominated by how the Lions are faring but seems to be an afterthought as more pulsating sporting events have ruled the daily discourse.

The second test against Australia shares the weekend’s sporting schedule coverage with other major events such as the All-Ireland Gaelic football final between Donegal and Kerry along with the final of the women’s European Championships between England and Spain.

Sunday’s Gaelic football showpiece will either see Donegal win their first title in thirteen years or Kerry extend their leading All-Ireland title tally to thirty-nine in what should be an enthralling affair in the capital. The women’s Euros final on Sunday will be a rematch of the 2023 world cup final where Spain edged out England in a tight contest.

Two of the best teams in the Women’s game will now meet once again to play the decider in a Euros tournament that has been filled with late goal drama, penalty shootouts and controversial decisions and the final should be no different.

Mack Hansen plays hurling during the British & Irish Lions squad captain's run at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia

These other options pose the dilemma of what sporting fans and viewers should dedicate their time to this weekend. Many casual rugby fans who have faithfully tuned in for each of the Lions tours in the past would have struggled to be gripped by this year's edition which begs the question if it demands mandatory viewing this Saturday morning as it once did.

Coverage of Saturday's second test begins at 9.30am on Sky Sports