Argentina Stuns British & Irish Lions in Dublin
In a stunning upset, Argentina triumphed over the British & Irish Lions in Dublin, a victory that resonated deeply with a coach who narrowly missed a similar feat two decades ago. This historic win marks a rare and cherished moment in rugby history.
Contepomi Reflects on Historic Victory
Argentina’s coach, Felipe Contepomi, recognized the exceptional nature of Friday’s triumph. He had been captain when the team last played the Lions before the 2005 tour of New Zealand. In that match, the Pumas were just a late penalty away from their first-ever victory against the Lions.
The British & Irish Lions fall to defeat as Los Pumas seal the victory in Dublin 🦁🇦🇷#BILvARG pic.twitter.com/qOlIbjrgap
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 20, 2025
“It’s kind of a one-off. It’s an invitation game and the last time, it was 20 years ago, and we were just there and we couldn’t beat them,”
—Felipe Contepomi, Argentina Coach
The Lions played their first six meetings during tours of Argentina when they didn’t restrict their itinerary to New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia. This victory is a significant achievement, as the Lions have won 70% of all matches played, according to the Rugby Football Union (RFU 2024).
Contepomi’s Perspective
Contepomi stated that the opportunity to play the Lions may not arise again. He highlighted the significance of the event for everyone involved. He understood how special it is for players from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, or England to be a Lion.
The former Argentina flyhalf, who knows British and Irish rugby well from his time with Leinster and as a doctor in Ireland, predicted that Australia would face a more formidable Lions team next month. He believes the Lions will be a strong team due to their high quality.
