Lions team v AUNZ XV: Andy Farrell names 23 for next tour match
Will Owen Farrell feature on Saturday?
The next stop on the British and Irish Lions tour down under takes them to Adelaide to take on an Invitational AU & NZ side. The Lions head to Adelaide off the back of a 36-24 win over the ACT Brumbies in Canberra yesterday. Tries from Ollie Chessum, James Lowe, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose and Josh van der Flier secured victory for the Lions but it was not the most convincing display. Reflecting on the win over the Brumbies, head coach Andy Farrell was happy with certain aspects of the game but knows there are areas to work on.
'It was the same as the other games, there was some good stuff, especially in the first half. There was some nice, flowing attacking play that was played at a good tempo. On the flip side, we kept them in the game. We dominated field position, but we kept them in with a sniff, especially when you get over the line three times and do not convert them. Congratulations to the Brumbies, they came out of the blocks and stayed in the fight until the last minute. We just need to do our job properly. We have to look after ourselves first and foremost. The learnings from today and the last game is what is at the forefront of our minds.'
Blair Kinghorn went off injured in the first half of the win over the Brumbies yesterday. The Lions have already lost Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly to tour-ending injuries and will be hoping Kinghorn does not suffer the same fate. Are we set to see Owen Farrell make his first appearance of the tour on Saturday? He arrived in Sydney last Friday to join up with the squad but is yet to feature, meaning he will a maximum of just one game on tour before the Test series begins.
The Lions' opponents this weekend are led by the Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss, who will become Joe Schmidt's successor as Australia head coach next year. Kiss has already taken on the Lions during this tour in his role as head coach of the Queensland Reds, with Andy Farrell's side running out comfortable 52-12 winners in Brisbane just over a week ago. Kiss is assisted by former New Zealand head coach Ian Foster, Western Force head coach Simon Cron and Zane Hilton from the Reds. The squad is jam-packed with Australian and New Zealand internationals, including Hoskins Sotutu, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Marika Koroibete, Pete Samu and Ngani Laumape. Kiss has spoken ahead of the game about the honour of Australia and New Zealand uniting to play together for the first time in a while.
'We spoke in-depth when we had the group together and what an honour it is. It is 36 years since this event's happened before. It is rarefied air, it is unique. We are not going to take that for granted. We are all honoured to be able to put this jersey on. There is a little bit of that ANZAC spirit in there. We have got Kiwi songs, we have got Aussie songs in the team room. Just making the most of the opportunity to connect and do something special this week. We are not taking it for granted, that is for sure.'
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