British and Irish Lions head Coach Andy Farrell has named his team to face the ACT Brumbies, with Connacht Rugby and Ireland’s Mack Hansen set to play against his former club.
Saracens and England lock Maro Itoje reclaims the captaincy for Wednesday night’s clash in Canberra and is partnered in the second row by Leinster and Ireland’s Joe McCarthy.
The front row sees Bristol Bears and England loosehead prop Ellis Genge joined by Leinster and Ireland duo Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong at hooker and tighthead respectively.
Leinster and Ireland’s Jack Conan is named at No.8, anchoring a powerful back row that also includes Sale Sharks and England openside Tom Curry and Leicester Tigers and England blindside flanker Ollie Chessum.
In the half-backs, Leinster and Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park links up once again with Bath Rugby and Scotland’s Finn Russell at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively.
A familiar midfield partnership sees Connacht and Ireland’s Bundee Aki paired with Leinster and Ireland’s Garry Ringrose in the centres.
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The back three features Toulouse and Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn making his second start of the tour, with Northampton Saints and England’s Tommy Freeman and Leinster and Ireland’s James Lowe taking the wing positions.
Kick-off is at 11:00am BST/IST, with live coverage on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell said:
“In 2013, the Brumbies beat the British & Irish Lions in Canberra. This year, they were the top Australian side in Super Rugby – so we’re fully aware of the challenge ahead.”
The squad arrived in Canberra from Sydney on Monday evening, ahead of the fourth match of the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Tour.
Following the Brumbies fixture, the Lions will travel to Adelaide on Thursday morning for Saturday’s game against an Invitational Australia & New Zealand XV.
Lions Matchday 23 vs ACT Brumbies
Starting XV
15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) #858
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #870
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #879
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England) #859
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #873
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (C) #825
5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #871
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England) #875
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #864
17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #876
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England) #877
19. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #874
20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
23. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #867
