Andy Farrell has named Dan Sheehan as captain for The British & Irish Lions’ first fixture in Australia against the Western Force on Saturday.
Ireland and Leinster Rugby hooker Sheehan is one of five starters in Perth, alongside club teammates Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van Der Flier, all of whom make their Lions debuts this weekend at the Optus Stadium.
A further four players are set to make their Lions debuts off the bench – England and Leicester Tigers lock Ollie Chessum, Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Huw Jones, Ireland and Leinster Rugby prop Andrew Porter and England and Bath Rugby prop Will Stuart.
British & Irish Lions Head Coach Farrell said: “We have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time zone changes have been managed really well, so we are good to go.
“Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family – so congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut.
“We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best.”
The game kicks off at 11.00 BST and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
On the 2013 Tour, the Lions ran out 69-17 winners at the Subiaco Oval. Current assistant coach Johnny Sexton got the Lions off the mark with an early try while Leigh Halfpenny converted all nine Lions tries.
The British & Irish Lions v Western Force:
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #867
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #863
11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales) #866
1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #868
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) (c)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869
5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #864
17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
