Coach Andy Farrell is ready to face a more demanding challenge in the second match of the British & Irish Lions on their tour, which will be played in Brisbane. The team faces a setback with the absence of Tomos Williams, who returns home due to an injury that ends his participation in the series. Meanwhile, captain Maro Itoje will make his debut in Australia against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday. Williams suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 54-7 victory over the Western Force, ruling him out of the nine-match tour. Ben White has been called up to join the team in Brisbane, where the gloomy weather welcomed them before the match at Suncorp Stadium. The Reds coach, Les Kiss, has extensive experience in the world of rugby, having coached in Australia, South Africa, Ireland and England before returning to Ballymore last year.
This will be a great step forward.
Farrell
Farrell has made 14 changes to the team that beat the Force and by Wednesday he will have used all 38 players in his squad, with the exception of two. The second-row English Itoje will be accompanied by his compatriot Ollie Chessum, while Irish fullback Hugo Keenan and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park will debut with the Lions in Brisbane. Finn Russell retains the number 10 after a standout performance in Perth, while Auckland-born Irish center Bundee Aki will make his first appearance on the tour. English prop Ellis Genge has been included on the bench, while number 8 Jack Conan will get his chance in a revamped attacking line.Any team that Les coaches will always be very well prepared.
Farrell
The former trial fullback Jock Campbell will captain a Reds team that welcomes Wallabies hopefuls Matt Faessler, Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who are returning from injuries. Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook will partner in the midfield, while the talented Kalani Thomas will start alongside Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in the half-court. Former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross, who played for the Chiefs in the Super Rugby final this month, will start in the front row, while lock Josh Canham will have to prove himself after not being selected for the test team. In this match, we have to be very good at the breakdown and in the aerial game. They have also shown their offensive side. We have to face those challenges, but we will also put our style of play into practice. We will continue to trust ourselves.There are no more country-based combinations. We are the British and Irish Lions, that’s all.
Farrell
Why can’t we give our best, strive, and see what happens?
KissThe Lions will face the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday and the first test match will be in Brisbane on July 19.LIONS: Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Finn Russell, Duhan van der Merwe, Bundee Aki, Huw Jones, Tommy Freeman, Hugo Keenan. Bench: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Garry Ringrose.REDS: Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell. Bench: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Sef Fa’agase, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Louis Werchon, Isaac Henry.
