Ireland's Sheehan to captain new-look Lions against Force
Head coach Andy Farrell retained just two players for Saturday's clash from the side that started the shock 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week -- flanker Tadhg Beirne and centre Sione Tuipulotu.
Among those rested is tour captain Maro Itoje, who led the side against the Pumas.
Farrell has opted to make full use of his squad in the first of nine tour matches, including Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
He was without the bulk of his Leinster players against Argentina and they feature heavily against Simon Cron's Force, with nine in the matchday 23.
Five starters will be making their Lions debut, as will four on the bench.
"We have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time-zone changes have been managed really well, so we are good to go," said Farrell.
"Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family -- so congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut."
Sheehan will start alongside Pierre Schoeman and Tadhg Furlong in the front row, with Scott Cummings and Joe McCarthy rounding out the tight five.
The back row consists of Beirne, Josh van der Flier and young star Henry Pollock.
"We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best," added Farrell.
On their 2013 Tour, the Lions ran out 69-17 winners against Force.
British and Irish Lions (15-1):
Elliot Daly; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne; Joe McCarthy, Scott Cummings; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Pierre Schoeman
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
17 hours ago
- France 24
Ireland's Sheehan to captain new-look Lions against Force
Head coach Andy Farrell retained just two players for Saturday's clash from the side that started the shock 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week -- flanker Tadhg Beirne and centre Sione Tuipulotu. Among those rested is tour captain Maro Itoje, who led the side against the Pumas. Farrell has opted to make full use of his squad in the first of nine tour matches, including Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. He was without the bulk of his Leinster players against Argentina and they feature heavily against Simon Cron's Force, with nine in the matchday 23. Five starters will be making their Lions debut, as will four on the bench. "We have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time-zone changes have been managed really well, so we are good to go," said Farrell. "Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family -- so congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut." Sheehan will start alongside Pierre Schoeman and Tadhg Furlong in the front row, with Scott Cummings and Joe McCarthy rounding out the tight five. The back row consists of Beirne, Josh van der Flier and young star Henry Pollock. "We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best," added Farrell. On their 2013 Tour, the Lions ran out 69-17 winners against Force. British and Irish Lions (15-1): Elliot Daly; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Tomos Williams; Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne; Joe McCarthy, Scott Cummings; Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Pierre Schoeman
France 24
19 hours ago
- France 24
White leads six Wallabies in Force side to face Lions, but no Beale
The tourists open their nine-game Australian itinerary in Perth on Saturday, desperate to make a winning start after a shock 28-24 loss to Argentina in a warm-up in Dublin last week. They will face a side skippered by experienced scrum-half Nic White, who along with Nick Champion de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Robertson and Darcy Swain were all released from Australia's training camp in Sydney. Team-mates Carlo Tizzano, Jeremy Williams and Harry Potter were not and will miss the game. Beale, a 95-Test veteran, was set to play but picked up a hamstring niggle in training on Tuesday. To compensate, Australia coach Joe Schmidt has allowed Wallabies playmaker Ben Donaldson to make a late dash to Perth. White partners Alex Harford in the halves with Pietsch and Mac Grealy on the wings and Matt Proctor forming a midfield with Hamish Stewart. Donaldson will start at full-back. Robertson will line up in the front row alongside Brandon Paenga-Amosa and retiring prop Ollie Hoskins. Sam Carter will play his final game in Force colours partnering Swain, who last week earned his first Wallabies call-up since 2022, in the locks. Will Harris, Champion de Crespigny and Vaiolini make up the back row. The Force have played the Lions once before, losing 69-17 in 2013. Western Force (15-1): Ben Donaldson; Mac Grealy, Matt Proctor, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch; Alex Harford, Nic White (capt); Vaiolini Ekuasi, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Will Harris; Darcy Swain, Sam Carter; Ollie Hoskins, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tom Robertson
France 24
20 hours ago
- France 24
Beale to spearhead First Nations and Pasifika side against Lions
The Lions will meet a team of Australians with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage in Melbourne on July 22 as part of their nine-game tour. First Nations and Pasifika head coach Toutai Kefu, who played 60 times for Australia, said the match would be a career highlight for many. "To represent the many unique cultures of Australia and the Pacific in the one side is a truly special occasion for rugby," said Kefu, who played against the Lions in 2001. "I know the players and staff feel a deep sense of honour entering this match against the Lions between the first and second Tests." The Lions will play three Tests against Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Veteran Beale, 36, who has hit form this season for Western Force after returning from a long-term Achilles injury, brings 95 Tests of experience. NSW Waratahs' flanker Leota has played 21 times for the Wallabies, most recently at the 2023 World Cup, while Queensland Reds back-row forward Uru featured for Australia twice last year. ACT Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead and Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble were also among five initial players named, with the rest of the squad yet to be decided. Kefu will be joined on the First Nations and Pasifika XV coaching panel by Wallabies legends Sekope Kepu and Glen Ella, as well as All Blacks great Tana Umaga.
