Maro Itoje is back to lead the British & Irish Lions against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday. Coach Andy Farrell has made several changes after their messy win against the Waratahs last Saturday.
Farrell has included eight players from Ireland in his starting lineup for this match, which was expected to be close to his top team for the test series.
Itoje returns as captain after being rested during the not-so-great 21-10 win over the New South Wales Waratahs. Scottish fly-half Finn Russell also makes a comeback.
Blair Kinghorn, another player from Scotland, remains in the lineup but will move from wing to his usual fullback position at Canberra Stadium.
The rest of the backline has a unique Irish touch with Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki playing in the center positions, Jamison Gibson-Park as the scrumhalf, and James Lowe on the left wing.
Jack Conan, who specializes as a No. 8, will be part of the back row alongside English flankers Tom Curry and Ollie Chessum. Joe McCarthy will join Itoje in the second row, while Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan will make up two-thirds of the front row.
Young English loose forward Henry Pollock, who had to pull out of the Waratahs game due to a calf problem, is now included in the replacements as back row support alongside Ireland’s Josh van der Flier.
Australian-born winger Mack Hansen is also one of the four Ireland players on the bench, and he will have the opportunity to play against his former club in his hometown.
On Saturday, Farrell mentioned that his son Owen, who was called up last week to replace Elliot Daly due to injury, would not be available for the Brumbies match.
“In 2013, the Brumbies defeated the British & Irish Lions in Canberra, and this year they were the top Australian team in Super Rugby,” said Farrell, who is taking a break from his role as Ireland coach for this tour, in a team statement. “We understand the challenge ahead of us.”
Here’s the lineup for the British & Irish Lions: 15-Blair Kinghorn, 14-Tommy Freeman, 13-Garry Ringrose, 12-Bundee Aki, 11-James Lowe, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Jamison Gibson-Park, 8-Jack Conan, 7-Tom Curry, 6-Ollie Chessum, 5-Joe McCarthy, 4-Maro Itoje (captain), 3-Tadhg Furlong, 2-Dan Sheehan, and 1-Ellis Genge.
Replacements include: 16-Ronan Kelleher, 17-Andrew Porter, 18-Will Stuart, 19-Josh van der Flier, 20-Henry Pollock, 21-Alex Mitchell, 22-Marcus Smith, and 23-Mack Hansen.
