Les Kiss has opted for a combination of experience and youth – including 17 Wallabies – in his Reds’ 34-man squad that will head to Bristol and Belfast for a two-match pre-season tour.
The Reds have enjoyed a busy off-season since bowing out of the quarter-finals of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, with matches against Tonga and Wales followed by a two-match tour to Japan against the Panasonic Wild Knights.
The Queensland side will finalise season preparations with a European tour, playing matches against the Bristol Bears on January 31, and Ulster on February 7, before their season gets underway in round two against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on February 21.
The tour marks the first time in the professional era the Reds have headed north for capped tour matches, with 1990 marking the last time the side embarked on such a venture.
The time between drinks against both sides has been even longer, with 1986 marking the last time the Reds and Ulster locked horns (with the Queenslanders prevailing 6-4), while 1980 saw a Reds side including Paul McLean, Tony Shaw and Andrew Slack draw with the Bears 9-9.
This time around, young guns Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will be included in the side alongside talented backrowers John Bryant and Joe Brial.
They will be well led by Reds co-captains Liam Wright and Tate McDermott and be well supported by incumbent Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson and fellow Test stars Fraser McReight, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Zane Nonggorr.
“Our players are absolutely pumped to go on this tour. It’s also a great opportunity for our staff who rarely get this experience,” Kiss said.
“For Tom and Harry, it’s a chance to build their knowledge on how the game can be run a different way in different conditions.
Liam Wright and Tate McDermott will once again lead the Reds into another Super Rugby season. Photo: 2025
“For young forwards like John Bryant and Joe Brial, it’s an opportunity to see the way backrowers play the game up in the UK.
“There is strong development possible for all our players and for the Reds as a team.”
The tour will also provide precious opportunities for rising talents Tim Ryan and Massimo De Lutiis, who was recently included in Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies pre-season camp despite not yet making his Super Rugby debut.
“I’m super excited. I’ve never played in the UK before so that challenge against different opponents in different conditions is something I’m really looking forward to,” Ryan said.
“The 3G field (artificial surface) we will play on in Belfast is something completely new to me so that will be an experience as well.”
Matches
- Queensland Reds v Bristol Bears – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol – 31st January 2025
- Queensland Reds v Ulster – Kingspan Stadium, Belfast – 7th February 2025
Squad
Lachie Anderson, Richie Asiata, George Blake, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Jock Campbell, Josh Canham, Filipo Daugunu, Massimo De Lutiis, Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Alex Hodgma, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott (c), Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Fraser McReight, Heremaia Murray, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Kalani Thomas, Seru Uru, Connor Vest, Louis Werchon, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright (c)
