BRISBANE — The British & Irish Lions are trusting Scotland’s midfield three of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones to unlock the Australia defence with pace and stealth in Saturday’s long-awaited first Test in Brisbane, while a back row of Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan will aim to batter the door down with bulk where necessary.
It is the first time since the Lions’ tour to New Zealand in 1993 that one nation has provided the 10-12-13 axis in a Test, when England’s Rob Andrew, Will Carling and Jeremy Guscott played in the first match.
Ireland’s Bundee Aki has impressed with his carrying on this tour, but as always seemed possible when back-three men Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen pulled out with injuries, Aki is on the bench with Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith in a 5-3 split of forwards and backs.
The bench options narrowed when Mack Hansen was ruled out by a foot injury, but Smith’s presence still represents a personal triumph given his Test prospects looked bleak at the start of the tour and appeared to recede further when Owen Farrell was called up as an injury replacement for Elliot Daly.
Andy Farrell’s son was tipped for a supporting role at Suncorp Stadium but he misses out on the 23 entirely, as does the rising star of English rugby Pollock, who loses out to Ben Earl as back row cover.
While there might be joy and interest at this team selection in Scotland, the feeling of depression must be strong in Wales, who are without a player in a Lions Test for the first time since the very early days of touring in 1896.
Beirne has the nod over bench forward Ollie Chessum, probably for his greater threat over the ball, while the Lions got a major boost when Australia named their side earlier today without two star men in the pack, the injured Rob Valetini and Will Skelton.
There are no surprises in a front row consisting of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, while captain Maro Itoje is joined by Joe McCarthy in the engine room and wings James Lowe and Tommy Freeman are present as expected.
“We are entering the business end of the tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date,” Andy Farrell said.
“We know how motivated the Wallabies will be and we know they are a well organised and dangerous side.
“It s a great occasion and a proud moment for Maro Itoje, who will captain the Test side, but also for those players who get the opportunity to represent the group on Saturday night.”
Lions team for 1st Australia Test
Backs:
15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland) 14. Tommy Freeman (England) 13. Huw Jones (Scotland) 12. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland) 11. James Lowe (Ireland) 10. Finn Russell (Scotland) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)Forwards:
1 Ellis Genge (England) 2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland) 3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) 4 Maro Itoje (England) (C) 5 Joe McCarthy (Ireland) 6 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland) 7 Tom Curry (England) 8 Jack Conan (Ireland)Replacements
16 Ronan Kelleher (Ireland) 17 Andrew Porter (Ireland) 18 Will Stuart (England) 19 Ollie Chessum (England) 20 Ben Earl (England) 21 Alex Mitchell (England) 22 March Smith (England) 23 Bundee Aki (Ireland)Hence then, the article about lions name team for 1st australia test with huwipulotu and tom curry starting was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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