Owen Farrell will captain the Lions for the first time in the midweek fixture against the First Nations & Pasifika XV, while Scotland playmaker Blair Kinghorn and Ireland centre Garry Ringrose return from injury.
Owen Farrell will captain the Lions for the first time in the midweek fixture against the First Nations & Pasifika XV, while Scotland playmaker Blair Kinghorn and Ireland centre Garry Ringrose return from injury.
After being brought in as an injury replacement for Elliot Daly, Farrell makes his first start of the tour at inside centre and partners Ireland’s Jamie Osborne in the midfield. Hooker Jamie George and winger Darcy Graham, who were also added to the squad in Australia, also start for the first time. Graham features in an all Scottish back three with Duhan van der Merwe and Kinghorn, who has recovered from a knee injury. England’s Fin Smith partners Scotland scrum half Ben White.
A former England captain, Owen Farrell has impeccable leadership credentials and has been selected ahead of Wales’ regular captain Jac Morgan against the First Nations team.
Head coach Andy Farrell has billed this as a final audition for players to force their way into the matchday squad as the Lions look to seal a first series victory in 12 years when they face the Wallabies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Eight years ago, Daly and Jack Nowell, the England wingers, played their way into the Test squad against the All Blacks after strong performances in midweek matches.
“This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests,” head coach Farrell said.
“The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests. This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power.”
While the Lions were particularly impressive up front in the 27-19 first Test victory in Brisbane, there were uneven performances from the wingers - James Lowe and Tommy Freeman - while the replacements failed to maintain the momentum of a dominant first half. Kinghorn, who impressed against the Waratahs before suffering a knee injury against the Brumbies, has potentially the most to gain from a strong performance.
The uncertainty over the fitness of Ireland lock Joe McCarthy, who has a foot injury, means there is likely to be at least one opening in the pack. The ultra fast back row of Morgan, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock will all be looking to catch the eye in that regard. Ireland’s James Ryan partners Scotland’s Scott Cummings in the second row while up front, George packs down alongside Scotland’s Pierre Schoeman and Ireland’s Finlay Bealham.
George, who was brought in as cover for Luke Cowan-Dickie who suffered a concussion, will also believe he can force his way into the matchday squad after Ireland’s Ronan Kelleher suffered a few lineout wobbles after coming on in the first Test.
The replacement trio of back-rower Ben Earl, scrum half Alex Mitchell and fly half Marcus Smith are the only players retained from the first Test squad. They are joined on the bench by Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Tom Clarkson and Gregor Brown, who were all added to the squad over the past week as cover specifically for this match, and Ireland centre Ringrose who has completed his concussion return to play protocols.
Lions team to face First Nations & Pasifika XV
15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
13. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) #780 (c)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) #862
9. Ben White (Toulon/Scotland) #883
1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #868
2. Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819 3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #856
4. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #880
5. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) #861
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #874
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
17. Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #840
18. Tom Clarkson (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
19. Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
Category: General Sports
