The stage is set for an epic collision of rugby legends as the Classic Wallabies and British & Irish Legends have announced their squads for the first match of the highly anticipated 2025 Legends Series at AAMI Park, Melbourne.
In a mouth-watering preview of what's to come, the teams feature a combined total of over 1,200 international caps, showcasing some of the most decorated players to have worn the gold of Australia and the famous red of the British & Irish Lions.
The Classic Wallabies have assembled a formidable lineup captained by centurion Adam Ashley-Cooper (121 caps), Australia's second-most capped player, who will lead from outside centre. Joining him in the spine is tactical mastermind Matt Giteau (103 caps), whose brilliance at fly-half will orchestrate an experienced backline.
The backline bristles with pace and power, featuring speedster Drew Mitchell (71 caps) on the wing alongside the towering presence of Taqele Naiyaravoro. At fullback, Mark Gerrard provides the aerial security and counter-attacking threat that made him a Wallaby favourite.
The forward pack is anchored by the versatile Scott Higginbotham, whose 34 caps included memorable performances across the back row and second row. The hooking duties fall to James Hanson, while the experienced Matthew Hodgson provides leadership from openside flanker.
The visitors bring genuine Lions Tour experience through captain Shane Byrne (Ireland, 41 caps | Lions 2005), whose leadership from hooker will be crucial in guiding a squad rich in international talent. The electrifying Shane Williams (Wales, 87 caps | Lions 2005, 2009), widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers in rugby history, provides the attacking spark.
England's Mike Tindall anchors the midfield with his 75 caps of experience, while the powerful Andy Powell (Wales, 23 caps | Lions 2009) provides the grunt work at number eight. Ireland's Mike Ross, with 61 caps, brings scrummaging expertise to tighten the pack.
The bench features exciting additions including Tommy Seymour (Scotland, 55 caps | Lions 2017), whose pace and finishing ability could prove decisive in the latter stages.
1. Gareth Hardy (Australia A)
2. James Hanson (Wallaby #865, 12 caps)
3. Pek Cowan (Wallaby #834, 10 caps)
4. Scott Higginbotham (Wallaby #848, 34 caps)
5. Hugh Pyle (Melbourne Rebels)
6. Leroy Houston (Wallaby #901, 1 cap)
7. Matthew Hodgson (Wallaby #841, 11 caps)
8. Beau Robinson (Wallaby #852, 1 cap)
9. Luke Burgess (Wallaby #821, 37 caps)
10. Matt Giteau (Wallaby #780, 103 caps)
11. Drew Mitchell (Wallaby #799, 71 caps)
12. Mike Harris (Wallaby #855, 10 caps)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (c) (Wallaby #800, 121 caps)
14. Taqele Naiyaravoro (Wallaby #802, 2 caps)
15. Mark Gerrard (Wallaby #797, 24 caps)
16. Fereti Sa’aga (Melbourne Rebels)
17. Jeremy Paul (Wallaby #744, 72 caps)
18. Nick Gregorski (Australia Sevens)
19. Justin Harrison (Wallaby #770, 34 caps)
20. Sam Scott Young (Wallaby #690, 7 caps)
21. Curtis Rona (Wallaby #912, 3 caps)
22. Ben Lucas (Australia U20, QLD Reds)
23. Henry Speight (Wallaby #888, 19 caps)
24. Nick Frisby (Wallaby #894, 5 caps)
25. Julian Huxley (Wallaby #816, 9 caps)
26. Lachie Turner (Wallaby #826, 15 caps)
27. Barry Lea (Uncapped Wallaby, 1993)
1. Jamie Hagan (Ireland, 1 cap)
2. Shane Byrne (c) (Ireland, 41 caps | Lions, 2005)
3. Mike Ross (Ireland, 61 caps)
4. Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)
5. Guy Thompson (Saracens)
6. Jackson Wray (Saracens)
7. Ryan Wilson (Scotland, 50 caps)
8. Andy Powell (Wales, 23 caps | Lions, 2009)
9. Ben Gollings (England Sevens)
10. Tom May (England, 2 caps)
11.Shane Williams (Wales, 87 caps | Lions 2005, 2009)
12. Ollie Smith (England, 5 caps | Lions, 2005)
13. Mike Tindall (England, 75 caps)
14. Alex Cuthbert (Wales, 55 caps)
15. Craig Gilroy (Ireland, 10 caps)
16. Paul Doran-Jones (England, 6 caps)
17. Petrus du Plessis (Saracens)
18. Jon Phillips (London Irish)
19. Tom Court (Ireland, 32 caps | Lions, 2013)
20. Richard Barrington (Saracens)
21. Ben Woods (England, 2 Caps)
22. Tommy Seymour (Scotland, 55 caps | Lions, 2017)
23. Guy Butterworth (Old Albanian RFC)
24. Matt Jess (Exeter Chiefs)
25. Rhys Gill (Wales, 7 caps)
26. Alistair Ross (Edinburgh)
27. Sean Lamont (Scotland, 105 caps)
28. Jonny Barrett (Saracens)
29. Ollie Phillips (England Sevens)
