Finn Russell sees no issue with foreign-born players representing the British and Irish Lions, after Australia coach Joe Schmidt highlighted the ancestry of some of their squad members.

The Lions are preparing to meet Australia in three Tests, with the first match taking place in Brisbane on July 19 before the series moves on to Melbourne and Sydney.

The Lions were beaten 28-24 by Argentina in the opening match of their 2025 Tour in Dublin last week, with New Zealand-born Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu, who was born in Australia, starting in midfield.

Wallabies coach Schmidt subsequently described the duo as a "southern-hemisphere center partnership", but Scotland fly-half Russell does not believe their ancestry matters.

"For me, as a Scot, I have no issues with them being born in New Zealand or Australia," Russell, who was unused against Argentina, told BBC Sport.

"Everyone has a different background and a different path into rugby and where we are now. These boys definitely deserve their spot in the team."

Buzzing for Saturday!

Optus Stadium, Perth. #Lions2025 pic.twitter.com/WiIwCQUbuw

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 24, 2025

Eight players to make the Lions' 38-man squad were raised outside the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.

Aki made his debut for Ireland in 2017 after completing a three-year residency period, while Tuipulotu qualifies to represent Scotland via his grandmother.

The Lions' tour continues on Saturday as they face Western Force in Perth, with four further matches to come between that match and the opener against Australia.