Andy Farrell packs Lions team with power to bully Australia in first Test

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Andy Farrell has picked a Scottish centre combination of Huw Jones (left) and Sione Tuipulotu - Getty Images/David Rogers

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Make no mistake, this selection is a power play from Andy Farrell.

By picking the most physically imposing back row that is available to him, with Tadhg Beirne included on the blindside flank and Tom Curry at openside, Farrell has made a powerhouse statement of intent.

Other flankers have shown better form on this tour; Jac Morgan has been a greater jackal threat, Ben Earl and Henry Pollock have both been explosive carriers, Josh van der Flier the continuity specialist while Ollie Chessum has been a relentless workhorse.

But it is clear that the Lions have prioritised the basics; the tourists want to utterly dominate the scrum and line-out. Significantly, Farrell opted to start Beirne at six when Ireland played against Australia in November and his selection effectively gives the Lions three “second row” line-out options, while Curry is also capable of winning ball.

Beirne’s heft also allows the Lions to exert tremendous pressure at scrum time, while he also adds to the pack’s jackalling threat. By overlooking Morgan, Earl and Pollock, it also suggests the Lions will look to dominate the breakdown with their clear-out power.

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With two of Australia’s most powerful forwards, Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, both ruled out of Saturday’s Test at Suncorp Stadium, Farrell’s pick looks even more ominous in terms of their intent to attempt to bully their opponents, underscored by the presence of Chessum, Earl and Bundee Aki on the bench.

What seems clear is that in the back row in particular Farrell has trusted his instincts over form during the tour games.

Time and again with Ireland he has selected players who he trusts to deliver on the big stage and implement his game plan. His winning ratio backs this up. Now Beirne and Curry have to deliver a statement of their own.

Farrell admitted the back row was a “hotly contested” selection.

“Obviously we feel that’s the right balance for the first Test, the combination of Tadhg being the type of player that he is, his quality in the set-piece but his all-round ability either as the jackaller or a ball-playing six, complements Jack [Conan]. In a similar regard, Tom being the engine that we all know that we need in Test match football.

“Tadhg’s had many big games in big games when it really matters, so I’ve no doubt Ollie will have an impact on the game also.”

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Tadhg Beirne’s quality as a jackaller and ball-playing six earned him the nod - Getty Images/David Rogers

With a heavyweight second-row pairing of Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy, the Lions head coach has opted for a pack with a potent combination of brawn and brain.

“Joe’s worked out the type of player that he wants to be,” added Farrell. “He always wanted to master the dark arts of a tighthead second row, and we’ve had some learnings along the way. He’s been mature enough to sort those out and that’s why we’re seeing him play his best rugby.

“I’ve never really seen him take a backward step anyway, even when he came onto the scene as a youngster. He’s certainly grown a lot since then as far as maturity is concerned, but I’ve also seen his character and his attitude grow in the same vein and then we end up with him starting in a Lions series. It’s fantastic to see.

“Look at the pack that we have picked, it is not just Joe. You can see that throughout. You can also see that the quality of the bench and who’s not there.”

While they want set-piece dominance, the inclusion of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones as a midfield partnership – which was the logical decision after Garry Ringrose was ruled out of the first Test – also brings attacking cohesion.

With their Scotland team-mate Finn Russell pulling the strings inside them, they will be at their most potent if scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park is able to play his high-tempo game.

The inclusion of Marcus Smith on the bench became necessary once Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen were injured, as he provides full-back cover. Given Australia’s aerial strength, Smith can expect to be targeted if he has to come on at 15.

It will be up to Hugo Keenan and Tommy Freeman to be masters of the air in the face of the challenge of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

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Tommy Freeman will have to be dominant in the air - Shutterstock/Darren England

The intriguing aspect to all of this is that there is still a mystique about how a Lions Test side under Farrell will play after three tours of Warren Gatland in charge.

The tourists have played a lot of rugby in their six games so far, but their game plan is likely to tighten up significantly on Saturday.

Asked what was the one thing he wanted from his players on Saturday, Farrell said: “You make sure you don’t have regrets and you don’t get in your own way.

“You don’t want to come off the pitch and think: ‘I wish I had another chance.’ You’ve got to make it happen when it matters.

“You’ve got to stamp your authority on the game and understand that it’s not going to go swimmingly well all the time. How you react to that sort of stuff. To make sure that you stay on point because that’s the nature when two sides meet in a Test match that means so much, that’s how it’s going to go. So how we’re physically and mentally in control, that’s going to be key.”

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Lions will embrace ‘favourites’ tag​

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Andy Farrell has told his Lions squad to embrace their favourites tag against Australia and “walk forward” to the challenge of securing a first series victory in 12 years.

The Lions are 1/3 odds-on favourites to win the series going into the first Test at Suncorp Stadium where Australia are missing a number of key personnel. Already Brisbane is starting to fill up with travelling supporters and a sense of expectation continues to grow that the Lions can win a first series since their last tour of Australia in 2013. Squad members such as Henry Pollock are openly targeting a 3-0 series victory, which has drawn a withering response from former Wallaby Chris Latham.

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Lions fans were already out in force in Brisbane a fortnight ago for the victory over Queensland Reds but are now thronging the city - Getty Images/Bradley Kanaris

Yet rather than reject the notion that the Lions should be considered favourites, Farrell wants his side to own the responsibility of becoming only the second touring team this century to secure a series win. “One hundred per cent,” Farrell said. “Why wouldn’t you be? At the end of the day, you get asked questions like that, but internally it doesn’t… you’re just getting on with building your own belief, your own confidence as a team. And it goes both sides.

“You’re walking around town and you can already feel it heating up and it will only ramp up tomorrow, so it’s making sure we do everyone proud here and at home with the type of performance that is one that’s going to walk forward to the challenge and be the best version of ourselves.

“There’s no overconfidence at all. It’s having an inner confidence within our group that we are going to go execute the plan when it matters. There’s a realisation of what it is and what it means and how privileged we are, but that does not get in the way of how we prepare to make sure that we allow ourselves to be the best version of ourselves.”

As first revealed by Telegraph Sport, Farrell picked Tom Curry at openside flanker while leaving Owen Farrell, his son, and Henry Pollock, the 20-year-old flanker, out of his match-day squad. In the midfield, the Scottish trio of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones are reunited in Lions colours.

Yet more than anything, Farrell’s team selection is defined by its physicality from the second row pairing of Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy to a heavyweight back row with the Irish duo of Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan lining up either side of Curry. “Look at the pack that we have picked, it is not just Joe,” Farrell said. “You can see that throughout.”

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On Thursday evening in Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens, Lions tour manager Ieuan Evans presented caps to all news players while family members – or if none were present team-mates – were responsible for delivering match-day shirts. Farrell’s message to all his players was to seize their opportunity. “You’ve got to make it happen when it matters,” he said. “All best laid plans as far as the plan itself or team selection, it’s when you get punched on the nose, that old saying, that you see how people react. But from what I’ve seen so far, their character is certainly a point of difference for this team.”

Facing his one time mentor Joe Schmidt, who warned of the lack of respect Australia have received, Farrell remains conscious of how much of a threat the Wallabies pose. From taking them on as Ireland head coach to his league playing days for Great Britain, Farrell knows how dangerous Australians are with their backs against the wall.

“I haven’t played against many Australian sides that, as you guys have pointed out to me, are underdogs,” Farrell said. “I’m sure they’ll want to prove a point in terms of that type of thing. Again, it’s something that we’ve talked about from day one. If you’re in a position where it comes down to this every 12 years and you get to pull the shirt on for the Wallabies and the privilege that goes with that, representing your country, they’ll be fighting tooth and nail, won’t they?”

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09:09 AM BST​

More from Dan Biggar on Sky Sports​

"You just want that familiarity from the off!"

Dan Biggar on having an all-Scottish 10-12-13 with Bundee Aki on the bench pic.twitter.com/qeZINjrHFr

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 17, 2025

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09:02 AM BST​

Full teams for Saturday’s first Test​

Australia starting XV: 1 James Slipper, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Tom Lynagh, 11 Harry Potter, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Max Jorgensen, 15 Tom Wright.

Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.

Lions starting XV:1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Finn Russell, 11 James Lowe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Tommy Freeman, 15 Hugo Keenan.

Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Bundee Aki.

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08:59 AM BST​

Dan Biggar on Sky Sports​

"I'm so glad the team has been named!"
"Jac Morgan can feel a little bit hard done by"

Dan Biggar on the back row selection for the first British & Irish Lions Test vs Australia pic.twitter.com/FxS2CUrQpj

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 17, 2025

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08:56 AM BST​

The thoughts of Tommy Freeman, who starts on the wing​

"It's what you dream of as a little kid!"

Tommy Freeman couldn't hide his joy at being named in the starting XV for the first Test vs Australia pic.twitter.com/4BJUNEaRA6

— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 17, 2025

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08:52 AM BST​

Clubs congratulate their players​

Tom Curry has been named in the starting XV for the @lionsofficial opening test against the @wallabies pic.twitter.com/DnwPSiQiLf

— Sale Sharks (@SaleSharksRugby) July 17, 2025

Presenting your centre pairing for the first @lionsofficial Test of the 2025 tour of Australia

How. Good

More: https://t.co/zhfHenjZL3#WhateverItTakes ️ pic.twitter.com/lItPmfJyFZ

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) July 17, 2025

of #YourSaracens in for Test !

Good luck lads pic.twitter.com/ohPGB17aC1

— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) July 17, 2025

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08:49 AM BST​

Proud moment​

What a day Saturday will be for the Lynagh family. Joe Schmidt has named Tom at fly-half for the first Test, meaning the Lynaghs will become the first father-son duo to start against the Lions after Michael played for Australia against the Lions in 1989. It will be familiar surroundings for Tom, who plays his club rugby for Queensland Reds, who call Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane home.

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Tom Lynagh is very inexperienced at international level - Chris Hyde/Getty Images

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Michael will be watching with pride on Saturday as his son follows in his footsteps - Getty Images

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08:41 AM BST​

Lions legend Mike Gibson: ‘I’m missing the first Test to marshal at the Open’​

In one of those great quirks of sport which happen from time to time, it turns out that Mike Gibson – the Irish rugby legend – is marshalling at the 13th hole here at Portrush, this week of all weeks. Just as the British and Irish Lions he represented in five tours (a record he holds jointly with fellow Northern Irishman Willie John McBride) are about to get their Test series under way in Brisbane on Saturday.

“I’m not actually going to get to watch the Test match,” he tells Telegraph Sport after getting permission from his ‘hole controller’ to come and speak with me for 10 minutes on Wednesday afternoon. “Kick off is at 11am and I’m on duty on Saturday from 9am until 2.30pm!”

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08:34 AM BST​

Reminiscing​

Cast your minds back 12 years. What were you doing back in the summer of 2013? Well, the Lions were in Brisbane for the first Test and closed out a narrow 21-23 victory after Kurtley Beale missed a last-ditch penalty which would have won the game for Australia. As mentioned earlier, James Slipper is the only man to have played in that game who will play on Saturday. But interestingly, if you cast your eye down to the Lions bench back in 2013, you will spot Geoff Parling’s name. Parling is on Joe Schmidt’s Australian coaching team and will become new Leicester Tigers head coach after this series. Here is how the sides lined up for that first Test back in 2013:

Australia starting XV in 2013: Berrick Barnes; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali’ifano, Digby Ioane; James O’Connor, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, James Horwill (capt), Kane Douglas, Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Wycliff Palu.

Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Pat McCabe, Kurtley Beale.

Lions starting XV in 2013: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Brian O’Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, George North, Jonathan Sexton, Mike Phillips; Alex Corbisiero, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Paul O’Connell, Tom Croft, Sam Warburton (capt), Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Sean Maitland.

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08:25 AM BST​

Lions referees need time to gel like players, but they have not been given it​

Dallaglio, Back and Hill. Nonu and Smith. Gregan and Larkham. These are some of the most memorable combinations of the professional era. Together, they helped to turn great teams into world-beaters.

And it is no coincidence that the teams who have dominated the world stage have been built around consistent partnerships. It makes total sense. Players need to be clear on their game plan, they need to be able to predict what their team-mates may do in certain situations and they need to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Such combinations, however, take time to grow. They require an assortment of shared experiences and they need to have felt and learnt through adversity.

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08:19 AM BST​

Australia coach Geoff Parling: I missed my child’s birth to play for Lions, that’s how much it means​

In January, Geoff Parling stood alongside John Eales to discuss the significance of the Lions series in front of Australia’s squad ahead of this summer’s tour.

Former second row Eales, who captained the Wallabies to the 2001 series victory, gave the green and gold perspective; Parling, now Australia’s assistant coach and soon-to-be Leicester Tigers head coach, provided the view from the other side of the ledger as the first man to play for and coach against the Lions.

Parling, a former Newcastle, Leicester and Exeter second row, started in two of the Lions’ Test series against Australia in 2013, although his memories are somewhat blurry. What he does recall is his exquisite tap tackle on Jesse Mogg in the third test – “My long arms came in useful for once” – and something entirely unconnected to rugby.

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08:12 AM BST​

From 2013 to 2025​

When the Lions took on Australia in Brisbane in the first Test back in 2013, James Slipper was on the bench for the hosts. 12 years on, the 36-year-old prop starts for Australia on Saturday and is now the country’s most-capped player of all time. There are two other players who were involved in the game back in 2013 who are in the squads this time around in the form of James O’Connor and Owen Farrell but neither have been picked for Saturday.

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James Slipper has been named at loosehead prop for Australia on Saturday - Brendan Moran/Getty Images

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08:05 AM BST​

Have your say​

What changes would you make to Andy Farrell’s starting XV for Saturday’s first Test? Remember you can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog, where Charles Richardson is reacting to your views and answering your questions.

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08:02 AM BST​

How it feels to become the ‘villain’ of a Lions tour​

This, Ben Alexander remembers thinking, is going to be the best moment of my life. It was the 2013 series decider between the British and Irish Lions and Australia and as Wallabies prop Alexander sang the national anthem he pictured an outline of Australia in the night sky. At that point in time, his fate seemed written in the stars.

Just as they had 12 years earlier. Australia had come from 1-0 down to win the second Test in which Alexander, the tighthead, led the team out on his 50th cap. Now they were in Sydney, Alexander’s hometown, in front of all his friends and family as well as his girlfriend. Glory awaited.

“That whole week, it was like ‘here we go’,” Alexander said. “I had it all laid out in my head. We f--- up these muppets, we were going to come down from 1-0 to win the series in front of everyone I knew. I felt confident. I was actually going to propose to my then girlfriend. We had been together for about a year and I had not seen her much because we had been in camp but in my head I was like ‘we’re going to beat them and then we are going to propose in my home city’. I had it all planned out. But it did not pan out that way.”

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07:54 AM BST​

Why Farrell has backed Curry and Beirne despite their form​

What do Steve Diamond, Eddie Jones, Warren Gatland, Alex Sanderson, Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell have in common? Even if four of these coaches are from north-west England, they are different personalities and all six of them have turned to Tom Curry to start big games whenever he has been available. That is no accident.

The back row of the British and Irish Lions side to face Australia in the first Test was always going to cause consternation given the quality of players and combinations available. It was always likely to be shaped by intangible factors, too.

Many will believe that experience and ‘credit in the bank’, to use coaching lexicon, have been prioritised over form in a leap – or perhaps a hop – of faith.

For that reason, Farrell’s selection of Tadhg Beirne and Curry as starting flankers will be divisive. But there is a vast body of evidence to suggest that Curry is a competitor you would want by your side in a dust-up.

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07:44 AM BST​

First Test squad breakdown​

Ireland: 11

England: 9

Scotland: 3

Wales: 0

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07:43 AM BST​

Andy on Owen​

“Owen was in contention like the rest of the players. We feel like Tuesday will be for good for someone like Owen.”

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07:40 AM BST​

More from Andy Farrell​

“We have got good lads, a good group. The best thing about this week so far is how the lads playing as the “opposition” have helped this team. It has been top draw to a man, which shows where the group is at.

“At this moment in time as it is the next one it would be huge and would mean the world to me.”

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Andy Farrell has named his side for the first Test on Saturday - David Davies/PA

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07:36 AM BST​

Andy Farrell on Australia​

“We know their quality in terms of attacking threats and athletic ability. Their counter-attack and set-piece is good. Their group has been growing in terms of preparation. They have been building for this for the last three or four weeks. They will be ready to go, no doubt about that.

On Tom Lynagh:

“I am absolutely delighted for him. Knowing his dad [Michael] like I do it is a proud moment for the family.”

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07:35 AM BST​

Changing opinions?​

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Despite a feeling that this was pretty close to Andy Farrell’s starting XV from the moment the Lions touched down in Australia, he is adamant it is different to the team he wrote down several weeks ago. Some of that will have been enforced by injuries, but it is interesting to speculate who would have played their way in - Sione Tuipulotu does not appear a natural Farrell 12 over a favourite like Bundee Aki while Ellis Genge has probably leapfrogged Andrew Porter in the pecking order over the past few weeks.

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07:33 AM BST​

More from Andy Farrell​

“The last few weeks have been the biggest challenge. It has been great to have a settled week, rolling into Friday and Saturday, which has been refreshing. We want to see a performance that makes everyone proud here and at home. You have seen the thousands of people who have come out and you get that Lions buzz. We want to be the best version of ourselves. We need to make sure we are concentrating on our performance and go at it from the get-go.”

On selection:

“Some things look after themselves, others need debating a bit more. That shows there is a healthy competition within the squad. There was no agreeing to disagree. Once we agreed we all pushed forward together. There is scope for all sorts of things to happen in the next few weeks with regards injuries to guys like Mack Hanse, Blair Kinghorn and Garry Ringrose. The boys pulling on the jersey on Saturday have a responsibility to perform and put themselves in the best position to put the shirt on again for the second and third Tests.

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07:29 AM BST​

Is the side for Saturday the one he would have picked at start of tour?​

“It would have been different but that is a great thing. You have to stay open-minded and optimistic enough to do so. It has been a very thorough and rigorous process to get to this point. That is exactly what you want for selection for the first Test of a Lions series.”

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07:27 AM BST​

Andy Farrell on the importance of experience​

“You 100% throw everything into the mix. It is a big responsibility representing this group. First up Test match rugby is what we came for. It is a big responsibility to show each other how we are going to attack this game. You take into consideration a lot of things like form but a big part is also big-match temperament and I think we have a good few of those in the starting lineup. The feel of the group is the main thing.”

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07:23 AM BST​

Injury update on Mack Hansen and Blair Kinghorn​

“Mack could be fit for Tuesday but probably unlikely. Same for Blair.”

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Mack Hansen out of the first Test but could he be fit for the second? - David Rogers/Getty Images

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07:23 AM BST​

Andy Farrell on the all-Scottish centre pairing​

“It is not just the combinations, it is also what is happening off the bench and the impact that they can have at any given time. I have said before I have no doubt that Bundee [Aki] can play with Huw [Jones]. He has also played with Sione Tuipulotu. We wanted to make sure we got the right balance of the impact that we need at any given time.”

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Scottish duo in the centres - David Rogers/Getty Images

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07:20 AM BST​

Lions head coach Andy Farrell speaking at his press conference​

On the back-row combination:

“That is the area of the squad that has been hotly contested and talked about for quite some time. Rightly so because of the quality we have there. We feel this is the right balance for the first Test. Tadhg [Beirne] has quality in the set-piece but also in his all-round game, as a jackaler and a ball-playing six. Tadhg has played in many big games when it really matters. He complements Jack [Conan] and Tom [Curry] is the engine you need in Test match rugby. Jac [Morgan] was as close as you could imagine to getting into the team. You are actually gutted for players like that, Josh [van der Flier] and Henry [Pollock] as well. That shows the good place we are at as a group.”

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Tahdg Beirne starts at six for the Lions - David Davies/PA

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07:15 AM BST​

‘Lions deserve credit for not bowing to pressure and picking token Welsh player’​

Of all the moments of reckoning for Welsh rugby since the last World Cup, few have been so bleak as the principality’s failure to produce even a single member of the British and Irish Lions squad here in Brisbane, its first such humiliation for 129 years.

It was 1896, a time when the only matchday rule was to restrict lunchtime alcohol consumption to four tumblers of champagne, that Wales was last blanked in a Test line-up in Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.

While Andy Farrell’s decision to leave out Jac Morgan against the Wallabies is a bitter pill for the player himself, it pales against the corrosive effect that this move will have on national pride.

When the Lions won the series decider in Sydney by 25 points in 2013, they did so with 10 Welshman among their starters, a preponderance reflecting the fact that head coach Warren Gatland had won a Six Nations Grand Slam with these players just four months earlier.

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07:13 AM BST​

Lions leaning on power​

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One area of potential vulnerability for the Lions is a lack of specialist jackalers. Beirne is probably their biggest threat but is not as dynamic at 33 as once was while Curry is less of a poacher than say Jac Morgan. With Bundee Aki also missing in the midfield, there are not many players other than captain Maro Itoje. Clearly, the Lions are hoping a front-foot, power game means the breakdown becomes less of a factor.

However it is notable that Australia through Fraser McReight did a number on both England and Ireland in that area last autumn. The Lions’ three worst performances on this tour - against Argentina, the Waratahs and Brumbies - occurred when the breakdown was relentlessly blitzed by the opposition, which did not escape McReight’s notice earlier.

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07:07 AM BST​

Analysis of the midfield​

Among the centres specifically, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones have been the most prominent. They have appeared together in three separate fixtures, accruing 154 minutes together. That is almost double that of the second most-used centre duo, which is Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose.

Aki and Ringrose started the Brumbies win and were kept on for the entire game, with Russell also given all 80 minutes. This looked like a strong hint regarding the Test team, yet will have been affected by Marcus Smith being required at full-back from the bench as a replacement for Blair Kinghorn. Ringrose failed a head injury assessment in the aftermath, ruling him out of this weekend anyway.

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07:04 AM BST​

Emphasis on physicality​

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07:01 AM BST​

Thoughts of Lions head coach Andy Farrell​

“We are entering the business end of the tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date. We know how motivated the Wallabies will be and we know they are a well organised and dangerous side.

“It is 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.

“We have seen a flood of Lions supporters on the streets of Brisbane this week and we are looking forward to seeing a Sea of Red in the stands of the Suncorp Stadium cheering on the team.”

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07:00 AM BST​

Lions team to face Australia in the first Test​

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #881
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England) #858
13. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #878
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #863
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) (captain) #825
5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #871
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
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. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England) #875
20. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
23. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837

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06:53 AM BST​

Australia head coach Joe Schmidt on Tom Lynagh, who starts at fly-half​

“I am really excited for Tom, he is a great kid. He has got a quiet confidence about him. You would not think he is necessarily designed to run a game and dictate what is happening, but he does have a quiet confidence that gives us a quiet confidence as well. He has fitted in really well this week.

“He has given us confidence and the players confidence that he is going to run the game really well for us. His kicking game is strong, he has got good acceleration and he is incredibly brave to a fault.

“It is Suncorp [Stadium], it is his home track, it is a fantastic opportunity for him. We twice had him lined up for his first start for the Wallabies last year and he picked up little niggles so it is great this time.

“Probably not ideal to be starting your first Test match for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions, but you have got to start somewhere and if not now, when? Now is good.”

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Tom Lynagh gets the nod at 10 for the hosts - David Davies/PA

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06:47 AM BST​

Australia will shut up ‘cocky’ Lions after Pollock claim​

The British and Irish Lions have been branded “cocky” by former Wallaby World Cup-winner Chris Latham after Henry Pollock’s bold declaration that a 3-0 whitewash is “definitely on the table”.

A backlash to Pollock’s comments earlier this week risks blowing up on the tourists after the topic erupted on Tuesday ahead of the first Test, with Latham relishing Australia’s chance to shut up Andy Farrell’s side.

The tourists have won every game since arriving Down Under, leading Pollock to claim a side aspiring to be “the best Lions team ever” can sweep the series 3-0.

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06:41 AM BST​

Telegraph Rugby Podcast​

Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph’s rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game’s most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage, now available on the move! Episodes after every Lions match.

Follow the Rugby Podcast Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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06:35 AM BST​

Live reaction​

Andy Farrell will name his side for the first Test at 7am BST. We will have the team news when it drops and our very own Charles Richardson will be in the comments section answering any questions you have. Make sure you share your views and questions in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.

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06:30 AM BST​

Get your fix​

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06:22 AM BST​

Wallabies suffer double blow with Skelton and Valentini ruled out of Lions opener​

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Australia head coach Joe Schmidt has sprung a surprise by handing flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny his debut against the Lions on Saturday after No 8 Rob Valentini and second row Will Skelton were ruled out.

The Wallabies are missing some key personnel going into the first Test at the Suncorp Stadium and fly-half Noah Lolesio had already been ruled out with a serious neck injury but Schmidt will now also be missing Valentini and Skelton, who are both nursing calf injuries.

Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies legend Michael, fills the void at fly-half to make his first Test start while Champion de Crespigny, who was struggling to find a club five years ago, comes into the back row alongside Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson who captains the team from No 8.

The loss of both Valentini and Skelton cannot be understated. Valentini is the Wallabies primary ball carrier and has won back to back John Eales Medals, awarded to Australia’s player of the year. Skelton, meanwhile, is one of the most destructive second rows in world rugby and supplies significant heft to the Wallabies second row.

Schmidt revealed that both players were on the cusp of being passed fit but he decided not to risk either man entering a three-Test series. “We just felt it was the most judicious decision,” Schmidt said. “Bobby has been a very regular starter for us and a big player for us. It puts more onus on Harry Wilson to fulfil the ball-carrying role.”

Back-rower Langi Gleeson also misses out while there is no space in the matchday squad for Taniela Tupou. Lynagh, who missed the 21-18 victory against Fiji with a hand injury, partners Jake Gordon at half back. By starting, the Lynaghs will become the first father-son combination to play against the Lions after Michael’s starring role in the 1989 series.

Matt Faessler also returns at hooker alongside tighthead Allan Alaalatoa and James Slipper, the loosehead who is Australia’s record caps holder. Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are in the second row together.

Budding superstar Joseph Suaalii starts at outside and is partnered by Exeter bound inside centre Len Ikitau in the same outside back division that played against Fiji. Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen start on the wings with Tom Wright at full back.

“The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what’s going to a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team,” Joe Schmidt said. With the short runway leading up to such a big Test match, we know we must adapt fast and improve quickly, from the performance we had against Fiji recently. We’re very much aware of the occasion and conscious of earning the support from the public through the effort they see on the field.”

Australia team to face Lions: T Wright; M Jorgensen, J-A Suaalii, L Ikitau, H Potter; T Lynagh, J Gordon; J Slipper, M Faessler, A Alaalatoa, N Frost, J Williams, N Champion de Crespigny, F McReight, H Wilson.

Replacements: B Pollard, A Bell, T Robertson, T Hooper, C Tizzano, T McDermott, B Donaldson, A Kellaway.

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06:15 AM BST​

Lions tour schedule​

Friday 20th June: Lions 24-28 Argentina

Saturday 28th June: Western Force 7-54 Lions

Wednesday 2nd July: Reds 12-52 Lions

Saturday 5th July: Waratahs 10-21 Lions

Wednesday 9th July: Brumbies 24-36 Lions

Saturday 12th July: Invitational AUNZ 0-48 Lions

Saturday 19th July: Australia vs Lions (First Test)

Tuesday 22nd July: First Nations and Pasifika XV vs Lions

Saturday 26th July: Australia vs Lions (Second Test)

Saturday 2nd August: Australia vs Lions (Third Test)

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06:07 AM BST​

Exclusive: Owen Farrell misses out on Lions squad for first Test​

Owen Farrell, the former England captain, has missed out on a place in the Lions match-day squad with Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith preferred for a place on the bench, Telegraph Sport can reveal.

Tom Curry, the Sale Sharks openside flanker, is poised to win a place in a ferociously competitive back row alongside Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan for the first Test against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.

Henry Pollock, the dynamic 20-year-old England flanker, has been squeezed out of the match-day 23.

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06:00 AM BST​

Who will get the nod?​

The first Test in Brisbane is just a few days away and British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell names his side today for Saturday’s game. The Lions come into today’s game off the back of a comfortable 48-0 win over an Invitational AUNZ side last Saturday, making it five wins from five since the they touched down on Australian soil. Owen Farrell, who made just his first appearance of the tour in the win against the AUNZ VX, looks likely to miss out on the matchday squad, with Marcus Smith preferred for a place on the bench. The competition in the back-row is ferocious and it looks set to be a Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan combination. Henry Pollock looks likely to miss out on the matchday squad.

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No Owen Farrell on Saturday? - David Davies/PA

Both Garry Ringrose and Luke Cowan-Dickie are in the 12-day concussion protocol so neither are available for the first Test. With Ringrose ruled out, Huw Jones is set to get the nod at outside centre and he could partner his Scotland teammate Sione Tuipulotu. Cowan-Dickie’s absence means Ronan Kelleher will be the hooker on the bench behind Dan Sheehan.

Andy Farrell has faced a number of issues in the back three. Having already lost Elliot Daly to a tour-ending injury, Farrell is having to cope with yet more injury concerns. Mack Hansen is a major doubt with a foot injury picked up in the win over the AUNZ Invitational XV. The injuries in the back three do not stop there as Blair Kinghorn is struggling with a knee injury suffered in the win against the ACT Brumbies.

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Will we see an all-Scottish centre partnership? - David Rogers/Getty Images

Andy Farrell’s squad has increased to 44 players with a number of players called up in the last week to cover for injuries. Jamie George and Jamie Osborne were called up after the concussions suffered by Cowan-Dickie and Ringrose. Ewan Ashman, Darcy Graham, Rory Sutherland and Tom Clarkson have also joined up with the squad in light of injuries and to provide more training cover.

Brisbane hosted the first Test in the 2013 series, with the Lions sealing a narrow 21-23 victory. Tries from George North and Alex Cuthbert alongside 13 points from the boot of Leigh Halfpenny got the Lions over the line as they went on to win the series 2-1.

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