British & Irish Lions stars brutally taunted by Australian stadium announcer

The British & Irish Lions' overseas stars were subject to a cheeky taunt by the stadium announcer during Saturday's win against Western Force. Andy Farrell's side were desperate to bounce back following a disappointing start to the 2025 campaign in their opening match against Argentina in Dublin.

The clash against Force was the first of nine matches the Lions will play on Australian soil - a tour that includes a three-game series against the Wallabies. Despite being billed as a warm-up clash, tempers did flare late in the first half, when Henry Pollock was involved in a confrontation with a couple of Force players, who took issue with the 20-year-old's overzealous celebration.

However, it was off the pitch where the first dig was landed, with the Optus Stadium announcer referencing the heritage of several Lions players while going through the 23. They said: "Our former Aussie, Mack Hansen... Another former Aussie, Sione Tuipulotu... It's the Kiwi, now Irishman, James Lowe... The former SA schoolboy, now Scotsman, Pierre Schoeman."

It relates to the Lions squad being made up of players from across the world, including southern hemisphere superpowers like Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. It's something the touring squad have been quizzed on, after Australia coach Joe Schmidt, who was born in New Zealand and made his name coaching in France and Ireland, highlighted the ancestry of some Lions players.

Scottish-born Finn Russell responded to the claims, saying: "For me, as a Scot, I have no issues with them being born in New Zealand or Australia. Everyone has their different background and different path into rugby and where we are now. These boys definitely deserve their spot in the team."

Schoeman, who was born in South Africa and played in his home country until 2018, added: "If you're good enough to play for your country, you're good enough to play for the Lions and you're selected, then obviously you're going to do that.

"Playing for the Lions is massive. Scotland is home for us, my wife and myself. I know that's for the other players as well, like Mack Hansen has made Ireland home. You embrace that. You fully take that on. It's like the series Outlander - you move to a different country and now that's your house. You live there."

The Lions finished with a commanding 54-7 victory against Force, whose fifth-minute try remained their only score of the game. It's a welcome result following the defeat in the Irish capital, with Queensland Reds in Brisbane next up for Farrell and co.