The Queensland Reds have today announced a 34-strong squad for their landmark pre-season tour of the United Kingdom.
The squad flies out on Friday from Brisbane for matches against English club Bristol in Bristol (January 31) and Irish club Ulster in Belfast (February 7).
The pre-season tour is the prime preparation period for the Reds ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific season lift-off against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on February 21.
With just 32 days until the Suncorp Stadium opener, Reds head coach Les Kiss is excited about the sharpening possible with this tour.
“It took a lot of planning to get everything in place to play two of Europe’s top clubs,” Kiss said.
“Hats off to the players and staff for getting us ready to take the Reds style to the other side of the world to, first, play Bristol, one of the leading clubs in this season’s English Premiership.
“Our second game is an Irish challenge against Ulster. We’re going to experience a tough environment where the Ulster fans are celebrating 100 years of rugby at their Ravenhill home.
“These experiences are what make rugby the game it is. The International Program we have created for Queensland rugby is something we are very keen to continue into the future.
“We see all the upsides of touring together and playing in different conditions against varied opponents as giving us a strong prep for our first game against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium.”
The Reds have included Tom Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as flyhalves in a strong squad that includes 17 Wallabies.
The squad reflects the Queensland Rugby Union backing the first tour of the United Kingdom for full cap games since 1990.
“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.
“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 Reds have history against both European clubs and of rising to the occasion in tough conditions.
The 1986 Queensland side, under captain Roger Gould, beat Ulster 6-4 in the gale-force winds and rain that lashed Ravenhill that night.
In 1980, a Queensland side, boasting Paul McLean, Tony Shaw, Andrew Slack, Brendan Moon and Gould, finished 9-all against Bristol in Bristol.
The opportunity to play on foreign fields is a great opportunity for young players like 2024 Reds Rookie of the Year Tim Ryan just as it was in 1986 for halfback Peter Slattery when he toured the UK as a second-year player en route to Queensland's 100-Cap Club and the Wallabies.
"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," winger 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."
Queensland Reds 2025 UK Tour 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 Hodgman
Tom Lynagh
Tate McDermott (co-captain)
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 (co-captain)
