Lions coach Andy Farrell has appointed Tadhg Beirne captain for the second time on tour for Saturday’s match against AUNZ in Adelaide, with Maro Itoje sitting out the fixture with an eye on the series opener against the Wallabies.
Beirne captained the Lions against the NSW Waratahs, with a large contingency of that group named for Saturday’s historic fixture.
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It’s a completely differernt starting XV to the team that fought for victory against the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday, with the likes of Mack Hansen, Will Stuart and Henry Pollock elevated from the bench.
Farrell has also named his son Owen for his first appearance of the tour via the bench, set for his 19th appearance for the famed team.
“We are in a great position just over a week out from the First Test,” Andy Farrell said.
“The players now have another chance to put in a strong team performance and put a hand up for selection for the Test matches against the Wallabies. Les Kiss has assembled a strong squad with lots of international experience and we know that he will have them well organised and they will bring a lot of physicality to the contest.”
The front row will see English duo Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart partner with Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman, with Beirne and James Ryan in the second-row.
Saints back-rower Pollock is set for a rematch with old teammate and AUNZ co-captain Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, named at flanker along with Jac Morgan as Ben Earl covers number eight.
Scottish scrumhalf Ben White gets his first start of the tour after joining the camp mid-way through, partnering Fin Smith.
The deadly combination of Glasgow Warriors teammates Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones reunite in the centres, with Hansen, Hugo Keenan and Duhan van der Merwe in the back three.
There are four Irish forward replacements, with Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Finally Bealham and Josh van der Flier named, with Scott Cummings rounding out the 5-3 split.
English trio Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith and Farrell complete the team, with the Lions out to replicate their 19-15 win in 1989.
LIONS (15-1): Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Fin Smith, Ben White, Ben Earl, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Will Stuart, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Finlay Bealham, Scott Cummings, Josh van der Flier, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell
