Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has responded to the Lions after their warning saying that he is contractually obligated to release Test players for the Lions' warm-up games.

British and Irish Lions reminded Australia of obligation to release players for games involving Super Rugby teams; Joe Schmidt said some dirt-tracker teams will play; watch every game of 2025 Lions tour,

The Wallabies released hooker Matt Faessler and centre Hunter Paisami from camp on Wednesday, allowing the pair to return to the Queensland Reds ahead of a match against the British & Irish Lions in Brisbane next week.