DUBLIN – Australia coach Joe Schmidt says his side are “maybe” not at the level yet to win the three-Test Series with the British & Irish Lions in 2025 but they are ready to make it a “contest”.

Australia boss Joe Schmidt is optimistic next summer’s British and Irish Lions series will be competitive following an agonising 22-19 defeat to Andy Farrell’s Ireland in Dublin. Former Ireland head coach Schmidt looked set to enjoy a memorable return to the Aviva Stadium before Gus McCarthy’s late try snatched victory for the hosts.

Australia boss Joe Schmidt is optimistic next summer’s British and Irish Lions series will be competitive following an agonising 22-19 defeat to Andy Farrell’s Ireland in Dublin. Former Ireland head coach Schmidt looked set to enjoy a memorable return to the Aviva Stadium before Gus McCarthy’s late try snatched victory for the hosts.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell signed off before his British and Irish Lions sabbatical in victorious fashion thanks to a

Joe Schmidt uses the word ‘comfortable’ to describe his return to Ireland. The Australia team are based in a well-appointed hotel deep in south Dublin rugby country for the week. Schmidt’s Irish home isn’t far from here, and when time has allowed, he has met up with friends in recent days.

Australia coach Joe Schmidt says his side are "maybe" not at the level yet to win the three test series with the British & Irish Lions next year but they are ready to make it a "contest".

Joe Schmidt doesn’t feel his Australian side is ready to live with the British and Irish Lions just yet. But this Wallaby performance in pushing Ireland to the pin of their collar on Saturday afternoon,