The Lions have turned to their newly crowned URC champions to open their Australian tour against the Western Force in Perth.
Nine Leinster players have made the matchday 23, with debutant Dan Sheehan named to captain the side. Two of the Gallagher Premiership champions from Bath have also been named, with Finn Russel leading the way at 10 and Will Stuart looking for a Lions debut off the bench.
Just one week removed from their opening loss to Argentina, Lions head coach Andy Farrell expressed nothing but positivity for how his side has managed the travel schedule to date.
“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,” the coach said.
“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.
“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.”
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 Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, and young superstar Henry Pollock.
Ronan Kelleher and Andrew Porter join Will Stuart on the bench, with Ollie Chessum and Jack Conan the five offering forward cover on the bench. Alex Mitchell, Huw Jones and Marcus Smith will look to bring some excitement to the backline off the pine.
Lions team to play the Western Force
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #867
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland) #863
11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland) #835
9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales) #866
1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #868
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) (c)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland) #869
5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England) #865
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #864
17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England)
19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #839
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England) #860
22. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
