British and Irish Lions v Argentina live: Latest updates from opening tour match in Dublin

Pumas coach says they’re ‘ready for a challenge’:

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi, speaking to Sky Sports:

“We don’t have the full squad but we have a very good, talented, young squad. We had a great week this week in preparation and now looking forward to the game.

“We haven’t been together for seven months, so with two training sessions we tried to get the cohesion together and everything.

“We feel that we are very fortunate and it’s because Argentina rugby has done something right over the past 20 years to be reinvited to play the Lions. We take it with a huge responsibility to make sure we play out best. ”

Itoje on seeking Lions victory

British and Irish Lions captain Maro Itoje speaking to Sky Sports:

“It’s been amazing. First of all, the talent is clear for everyone to see. We have a group of men who are determined to do well and succeed. It’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of. I’m enjoy it being captain so far.

“What I’m hoping for tonight is cohesion. We know Argentina are a good side, they have proven that over the last couple of years. From our point of view, if we’re a cohesive, tight unit we’ll do well tonight.

“We want to win. We’re not here to just play well and lose. Every time the Lions take to the field, that has to be the ambition.”

Fin Smith on his Lions debut:

Fin Smith, speaking to Sky Sports about his Lions call-up:

“Yeah, it was mad. It was an incredibly tense day. It’s probably the rawest thing you can experience in in rugby these days. I think a big thing to me this last year has just been really trying to not look too big picture.

“I’d say that’s what made this call up all the more special – it’s probably the first time I’ve really taken a step back away from it all.

“To have Australia to look forward to over this next six or seven weeks is, going to be an unbelievable way to cap off what’s been a brilliant last couple of seasons.”

Smith feared missing out on Lions call-up

Marcus Smith, speaking to Sky Sports about getting selected to represent the Lions again:

“I wasn’t confident at all, to be honest! I think I was more nervous four years ago about trying to find my passport, but this one, to be honest, I was pretty anxious all season.

“For the 30-40 minutes until the names started getting read out, I felt my heart beating in my shirt. Thank God I I heard my name. I’m very lucky, very, very privileged and it’s an honour.

Marcus Smith, speaking to Sky Sports’ on how Johnny Sexton in camp has helped him ahead of the Lions:

“His knowledge, his wisdom, his calmness and the way he speaks, I think is definitely rubbing off on me.

“I look forward to the next four or five weeks so we can work together. Hopefully compete in in different sort of kicking games, which would be nice, but also learn an awful amount.”

Historic night for the Lions

Tonight’s match is a landmark moment for the British & Irish Lions, packed with historic firsts and personal milestones.

For the first time ever, the Lions play a match in Ireland and it’s their first meeting with Argentina in 20 years – the last being a dramatic 25-25 draw in Cardiff ahead of the 2005 New Zealand tour.

Fin Smith makes history as the first grandson of a former Lion to play for the team. His grandfather, Tom Elliot (Lion #380), featured in nine games on the 1955 South Africa tour.

Three Northampton Saints start tonight – the first time that’s happened since 1999, and the half-back pairing comes from the same club, a rarity not seen since 2017 when Biggar and Webb partnered for the Lions.

Key matchup – Luke Cowan-Dickie vs Julián Montoya

Just a fortnight ago, these two experienced Premiership hookers were locking horns in a high-stakes semi-final clash and it was Montoya who had the upper hand as Leicester Tigers overcame Sale Sharks to book their place at Twickenham.

Montoya leaves behind a lasting legacy at Leicester. Since arriving in the East Midlands, he’s racked up over 80 appearances and played a central role in their title-winning campaign in just his second season.

On the international stage, Montoya captains an Argentina side that has climbed to fifth in the world rankings – an achievement that speaks volumes about his influence both on and off the pitch.

Cowan-Dickie has been on a rollercoaster journey since his Lions debut in 2021. A long spell on the side-lines nearly a year and a half followed a complicated neck surgery, derailing a planned move to France and presenting major personal and professional challenges.

Now back fit and firing, he’ll be eager to assert himself in what promises to be a fiercely contested battle at the heart of the scrum.