Tom Curry justified his selection with an outstanding performance as the British and Irish Lions outclassed Australia 27-19 in Brisbane to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

The England flanker's inclusion ahead of Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier was one of the more contentious calls by head coach Andy Farrell but Curry scored one of the Lions' three tries and was outstanding in attack and defence, with fly-half Finn Russell also one of several fantastic contributors.

Indeed, it was Scotland ace Russell who booted an early penalty and then played a stupendous pass for Sione Tuipulotu to crash over as the Lions raced into a 10-0 lead inside 10 minutes to silence Suncorp Stadium.

Huw Jones thought he had extended the lead but was ruled to have made a double movement when tackled by Max Jorgensen, who then beat Hugo Keenan in an aerial battle and held off Russell to put Australia on the board.

The Lions continued to dominate, though, and their pressure told when Curry bulldozed his way over the line and Russell added the extras to make it 17-5 at the break.

Curry was perhaps fortunate to avoid punishment for tackling Louis Lynagh in the air but started the second half brilliantly too, winning a line-out against the throw then finishing a great break with the pass to put Dan Sheehan over in the right corner – Russell adding a stupendous conversion.

Australia belatedly bared their teeth and Joseph Suaalii was ruled not to have released in the tackle when touching down but replacement Carlo Tizzano did bulldoze over from close range to offer a glimmer of hope.

Marcus Smith's penalty gave the Lions enough breathing space, which proved particularly important as Tate McDermott's fourth Test try helped to ensure a scoreline Australia scarcely deserved.

The teams now look ahead to Melbourne next Saturday, where the Lions will look to wrap up the series and Australia will be out to force a decider.

It's all over in Brisbane...

LIONS WIN THE 1ST TEST #Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/RUnS7O7gEf

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 19, 2025

Data Debrief: Curry roars for Lions as 100 up for Itoje

Curry just seemed to be everywhere for the Lions and the Sale Sharks forward had eight carries, seven gainline successes and 11 tackles to go with his try in an awesome all-round performance.

Maro Itoje led with typical gusto and the Lions skipper celebrated his 100th Test appearance, 93 of those coming for England and now seven for the Lions.

The Lions have now won 18 of their 24 Tests against Australia, with their 75 per cent win rate against the Wallabies comfortably their highest against any of the three nations they traditionally tour (New Zealand – 17 per cent, South Africa – 37 per cent).

Despite losing in Dublin to Argentina in their opening match, the Lions have since won each of their six games in Australia. It now matches the first six they won on South African soil in 2009.