Tadhg Beirne starts in back row as Owen Farrell misses out on first Lions Test against Australia
Irishman Beirne, more regularly a lock, joins Tom Curry and Jack Conan in the starting trio after a competitive fight for back row places, with Josh van der Flier, Jac Morgan and Henry Pollock missing out on the 23 entirely. The absence of Morgan means that there is no Welshman in a Lions Test side for the first time since the 1890s.
Back three contenders Mack Hansen and Blair Kinghorn both miss out due to injury, while Garry Ringrose was ruled out last week through concussion, leaving Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones alongside Finn Russell in an all-Scottish midfield.
Marcus Smith provides fly half cover on the bench ahead of compatriots Fin Smith and Farrell, with his capacity to play full-back perhaps key after Hansen and Kinghorn's injuries.
Captain Maro Itoje is partnered by Joe McCarthy in the second row, while Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong form an anticipated front row selection. Scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park, wing James Lowe and full-back Hugo Keenan complete an eight-strong Irish contingent in the starting side.
'We are entering the business end of the Tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date,' head coach Farrell said. '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.'
The Lions take on the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium in the first of three Tests, with encounters to come in Melbourne and Sydney.
Lions XV to face Australia in Brisbane (Saturday 19 July, 11am BST): 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Why the AFL are 'absolutely out of their minds' at what Caroline Wilson did on Channel Seven footy panel show - as Eddie McGuire reveals 'very sensitive' issue
Eddie McGuire has launched a furious broadside at Caroline Wilson after the veteran journalist went rogue and exposed the identity of an undercover security guard hired to protect the safety of several AFL head coaches. The league reportedly told Wilson not to bring the man to attention on Channel Sevens's The Agenda Setters footy panel show on Monday night – but the scribe ignored the plea. The request ahead of Monday's show followed the league adding beefed–up security for Michael Voss, Luke Beveridge and Simon Goodwin in recent weeks for games at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. According to Nine's McGuire, the AFL is 'absolutely out of their minds' and 'incandescent with rage' at Wilson after she exposed the guard. 'They asked Channel Seven specifically because of the delicate nature of personal security and family security of AFL employees, not to run the story about the security guard,' McGuire said on Footy Classified on Wednesday night. 'Not only did they run the story, they ran it absolutely open and the man involved here is an executive and a top professional in undercover surveillance and security. 'She (Wilson) said "the AFL would be furious with me". Well, she got that part right. 'I can tell you they are absolutely out of their minds that this bloke has now been put in jeopardy. It's not just the football that this guy does. 'Not only that, it has brought to bear all the issues on sensitivities and privacy issues with not only the coaches, but the families of the coaches.' McGuire then questioned how the free–to–air network can salvage what is becoming a rocky working relationship. 'Channel Seven are the home of football (as the host broadcaster) and they put a ton of money in,' he said. 'But (after this saga) the balance between the ton of money and where they are at the moment is more fractious now than it has ever been.' McGuire added that if the AFL had told him not to run a story after pointing out security concerns, he would have canned the piece. 'It is very sensitive, this is a security issue, (so) I wouldn't have run the story,' he said. Footy fans on social media also felt Wilson crossed the line. 'Why would you report on this? It is clearly for the safety of the coaches and now you have outed the bloke. You say the wives are scared yet you do this. Shame,' one posted on X. 'Your story is more important than other people's safety is what you are telling us. Poor form exposing it,' said another. McGuire also said the Western Bulldogs delivered a 'please explain' to Channel Seven over Wilson's on-air comments slamming their coach Luke Beveridge, and 'humiliating their president and chief executive'. last Thursday night.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Burnley sign midfielder Ugochukwu from Chelsea
Burnley have completed the signing of French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Chelsea for a fee of more than £ 21-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Turf Sport understands the fee is similar to the £23.2m Chelsea paid to sign Ugochukwu from Rennes in 2023."It's a great feeling to sign for Burnley," said Ugochukwu."As soon as I was made aware of the club's interest in signing me, I was keen to hear more about the project. I spoke to the manager and Maxime [Esteve] – they were both so passionate about the club and the direction it's heading in. "It feels like this is the perfect move for me at this stage of my career with the ambition the club is showing."Ugochukwu was considered surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to sell multiple players in their so-called 'bomb squad' - a group of players including England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell - training separately from Enzo Maresca's first spent two years at Chelsea, making 15 appearances in all competitions during his first season before joining Southampton on a season-long loan for are also in talks to sign Chelsea's 23-year-old forward Armando say the move could be worth up to £20m but the exact price has not been confirmed.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Mikel Arteta offers Viktor Gyokeres verdict after Emirates debut in pre-season defeat to Villarreal - as Gunners boss singles out academy starlet for praise
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted £64million summer signing Viktor Gyokeres will be in a 'very good position' by the time the Premier League season begins after his first pre-season start. The Gunners were beaten 3-2 at home by Villarreal on Wednesday night as the big-money summer signing made his home debut at the Emirates. Gyokeres had limited opportunities to score on his first start for the club, with the Swedish forward playing an hour of the match. His best chance came just before he was substituted, but saw a powerful strike well saved by the Villarreal goalkeeper. The forward had joined Arsenal following a protracted move from Sporting Lisbon, where he had scored 97 goals in 103 matches for the club. With Gyokeres having only a brief cameo in Arsenal's pre-season loss to Tottenham prior to his hour on Wednesday, Arteta insisted the forward will be up to speed by the time the new season starts. 'I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team. 'He's been with us only a week or so, but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking certain spaces. 'So in general, for a lot of players that haven't played many minutes, we have a lot now that they're going to be ready for Saturday in a much better condition.' 'I hope days, and every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling. I think he's getting connections as well outside, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to get in the position that he needs to get in. 'On his fitness level, I think he hasn't trained really with the team for two months, so he's done now six or five sessions I think before today, so I think on Saturday again he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.' Arsenal will face further LaLiga opposition on Saturday when they host Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup, before their Premier League opener away at Man United on August 17. The Gunners will hope to have Kai Havertz available again after he missed the defeat by Villarreal with a minor injury. Arteta also offered praised to 15-year-old academy star Max Dowman for his 'incredible' attacking contributions after another eye-catching pre-season performance. With Arsenal trailing 3-1, Dowman showed quick feet to fool a Villareal defender and induce a foul, resulting in the Gunners being awarded a penatly. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard acknowledged Dowman's contribution after scoring the penalty to reduce the deficit. It was the second penalty Dowman has won in pre-season after help Arsenal win 3-2 against Newcastle on their tour of Asia. The highly-rated youngster also drew the attention of home fans were several darting runs and crosses in the latter stages of the friendly against Villarreal. Arteta praised the youngster and admitted that despite his young age he will continue to deserve chances if he continues to make an impact from the bench. 'Max (Dowman) is moving so fast - even last year when he was training with us, he was doing these kind of things and now he is doing them in the games,' Arteta said. 'The efficiency he shows in every attacking action is incredible. He deserves to have chances and if he continues like this let's see what happens. When asked whether Dowman could be involved in the Premier League, Arteta added 'Let's see how it goes, let's go into Saturday, into the break as well. 'He needs a little break as well because he hasn't had any holidays really, so in the next few days he's going to have a break which I think he needs and then he'll probably be ready again to go.'
