
Owen Farrell handed major role ahead of British and Irish Lions midweek clash against First Nations & Pasifika XV
It will be the first time the Englishman has skippered an international team since the 2023 World Cup.
He will start in the No 12 jersey for the game in Melbourne, where full-back Blair Kinghorn will also return from injury in a bid to feature in the second Test.
In total, there are 20 changes to the matchday squad that beat the Wallabies in the first Test, with Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith featuring on the bench.
Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier and Henry Pollock will form a competitive back-row, with an opportunity to force themselves into Test contention following the injury to Joe McCarthy.
'This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests,' said head coach Andy Farrell.
Lions team to face First Nations & Pasifika XV
15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) #882
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
13. Jamie Osborne (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England) #780 (c)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England) #862
9. Ben White (Toulon/Scotland) #883
1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #868
2. Jamie George (Saracens/England) #819
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #856
4. James Ryan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #880
5. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales) #861
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #874
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
Replacements:
16. Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
17. Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #840
18. Tom Clarkson (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
19. Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
20. Ben Earl (Saracens/England) #857
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
23. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #872
'The coaches' minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests.
'This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power.'
In the pack, England's Jamie George will make his first appearance since joining up with the squad, with late call-ups Darcy Graham, Jamie Osborne and Ben White also named in the starting XV.
Fin Smith has been named at No 10, with giant Scottish winger Duhan van der Merwe completing the backline.

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