British and Irish Lions name team for opening tour match
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The starting XV includes six 2013 Lions and a further three on the bench with the side captained by Sam Warburton.
Commenting on his first team selection head coach Warren Gatland said: “We are all hugely excited about the first game on tour, it’s a great opportunity for the starting XV and the whole match day squad to lay down a marker and get the tour off to a good start.
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Hide Ad“We have named a side that showcases a strong combination of experience and youth and we are really looking forward to Saturday.
“We are lucky to have some real leaders in the squad and to be able to select them for this match in the likes of Rory Best, Alun Wyn Jones and Greig Laidlaw.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what Greig can do alongside Johnny Sexton who both are experienced half-backs. It is also great to have Sam starting in the first game of the tour, something he didn’t do in 2013 and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do this weekend.
“The balance of the squad is really good, we have selected the majority of players who were together for the training weeks in Wales and Ireland and they have worked together and prepared well for a number of weeks.
“It is important these guys get a run early and lay down a marker for others to follow. We’ve picked the team for Saturday but it is still the plan to try and give the whole squad a start in the next two matches. It is important the players get that opportunity, because if they go well and the team goes well, they put themselves in the shop window for a Test start.”
BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TEAM
1 Joe Marler – Harlequins, England
2 Rory Best – Ulster, Ireland
3 Kyle Sinckler – Harlequins, England
4 Alun Wyn Jones – Ospreys, Wales
5 Iain Henderson – Ulster, Ireland
6 Ross Moriarty – Gloucester Rugby, Wales
7 Sam Warburton – Cardiff Blues, Wales
8 Taulupe Faletau - Bath Rugby, Wales
9 Greig Laidlaw – Gloucester Rugby
10 Johnny Sexton – Leinster, Ireland
11 Tommy Seymour – Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
12 Ben Te’o – Worcester Warriors, England
13 Jonathan Joseph – Bath Rugby, England
14 Anthony Watson – Bath Rugby, England
15 Stuart Hogg – Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
Replacements
16 Jamie George – Saracens, England
17 Mako Vunipola – Saracens, England
18 Tadhg Furlong – Leinster, Ireland
19 George Kruis – Saracens, England
20 Justin Tipuric – Ospreys, Wales
21 Rhys Webb – Ospreys, Wales
22 Owen Farrell – Saracens, England
23 Jared Payne – Ulster, Ireland