Lions: Sean Maitland only Scot in first test squad

SEAN Maitland is the lone Scottish representative in the 23-man squad for the British and Irish Lions’ first test against Australia in Brisbane.

Scotland's Sean Maitland is on the bench for the Lions. Picture: Getty

• Maitland on bench; Gray, Grant and Hogg all miss out

• Late call-up Alex Corbisiero starts at loosehead prop, wing George North passed fit to play

• Squad breakdown: 10 Welshmen, eight Englishmen, four Irishmen and one Scot

Richie Gray, Ryan Grant and Stuart Hogg are all left out of the test squad, with the main surprise coming courtesy of England prop Alex Corbisiero’s starting berth.

Mako Vunipola was expected to start at loosehead having impressed on the tour to date, but he must settle for a place on the bench.

Tom Youngs, another England front row, pipped Richard Hibbard at hooker while Jamie Heaslip of Ireland held off the challenge of Wales’ Toby Faletau at number eight.

Gatland explained that Corbisiero’s superior scrummaging skills earned him the nod ahead of Vunipola, who he feels may have been targeted by Australia in the set-piece.

“Mako’s pretty unlucky. We’ve looked at the weather conditions and there’s a threat of showers,” Gatland said.

“No doubt (Australia coach) Robbie Deans has looked at Mako technically at scrum time.

“Mako coming off the bench will give us impetus, but Alex is better technically and will give us the edge in the scrum.

“Alex might also prove to be a better combination with Tom Youngs and Adam Jones, but there’s no doubt Mako will have an impact.”

Apart from the inclusion of Corbisiero, who was called up from England’s tour of Argentina following injuries to Cian Healy and Gethin Jenkins, the starting XV chosen by Gatland was as expected.

A surprise name on the bench was Wales blindside Dan Lydiate, with Faletau or Sean O’Brien having been expected to offer back row cover.

Wales wing George North starts after passing a fitness test on his hamstring injury yesterday with compatriot Alex Cuthbert deployed on the opposite flank in the absence of Tommy Bowe, who is recovering from hand surgery.

Brian O’Driscoll and Jonathan Davies forge the centre partnership with Jamie Roberts not expected to return from treatment until next week. Jonathan Sexton and Mike Phillips are the preferred halfbacks.

Wales’ Sam Warburton leads the side from openside flanker with Tom Croft reprising the role he filled in South Africa four years ago on the blindside, with Paul O’Connell and Alun-Wyn Jones picked in the second row.

British and Irish Lions team to face Australia at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Saturday June 22:

L Halfpenny (Wales); A Cuthbert (Wales), B O’Driscoll (Ireland), J Davies (Wales), G North (Wales); J Sexton (Ireland), M Phillips (Wales); A Corbisiero (England), T Youngs (England), A Jones (Wales), A-W Jones (Wales), P O’Connell (Ireland), T Croft (England), S Warburton (Wales, capt), J Heaslip (Ireland).

Replacements: R Hibbard (Wales), M Vunipola (England), D Cole (England), G Parling (England), D Lydiate (Wales), B Youngs (England), O Farrell (England), S Maitland (Scotland).