Bridge of Allan rugby star ready for first Test as Wallabies cauldron awaits
Finn Russell is ready to take centre stage tomorrow morning as he aims to guide the British and Irish Lions to success Down Under.
The Bridge of Allan boy has been named in the coveted number ten shirt for the select side as they take on the first of three Test matches against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
It marks the latest step in a special summer for Russell after guiding his club side Bath to European and domestic success, before being heavily tipped to be the Lions' starting fly-half for the Wallabies clashes.
The 32-year-old has been stellar on the tour so far, impressing in an unblemished record for his starts against Western Force, Queensland Reds and the ACT Brumbies.
He has also booted over 29 points across those three matches.
With Lions head coach Andy Farrell naming his side earlier this week, that has now been confirmed - and there will be some familiar faces for Russell to work with as the Scotland centre partnership Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones will also start the match.
They are the only three Scottish players in the 23-man squad selected for the match, with the team overwhelmingly made up of Irish and English representatives.
Alongside his Scotland team-mates at inside and outside centre, Russell will resume his partnership with Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, with the wingers made up of Ireland's James Lowe and Englishman Tommy Freeman.
Irishman Hugo Keenan will start at full-back with the injury to Scotsman Blair Kinghorn.
Speaking ahead of the momentous clash in Brisbane, Farrell said: '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 Wallaby team 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.'
After Saturday's first Test, the Lions will play their final 'warm-up' matches against the First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday, before the final two matches against the Wallabies in Melbourne on July 26 and in Sydney on August 2.
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