Lions’ Outs and Newcomers: Analysis of the Match Against the Reds
The British & Irish Lions team faces a crucial challenge, with significant adjustments to their lineup due to an injury and the expected incorporation of their captain.
Tomos Williams has returned home due to an injury that ends his participation in the series. The scrum-half suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s victory against Western Force, which has ruled him out for the rest of the tour.
Instead, Ben White, Scotland’s number 9, has been called up and will join the team in Brisbane, where the gloomy weather greeted the team before Wednesday’s match at Suncorp Stadium.
Coach Andy Farrell has selected a strong team to face Les Kiss’s Reds. England second row Maro Itoje, the Lions captain, will make his debut on this Australian tour, joining his compatriot Ollie Chessum in the second row.
Farrell has made a total of 14 changes. Irish fullback Hugo Keenan and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park will make their Lions debut.
Finn Russell retains the fly-half position after a standout performance in Perth, while Auckland-born Irish center Bundee Aki will make his first appearance on the tour.
The energetic English pillar Ellis Genge has been included on the bench, and number 8 Jack Conan will have his chance in a renewed back line.
The Reds will announce their team, which is expected to be packed with Wallabies hopefuls, on Monday.
The Lions will face the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, and the first test will be played in Brisbane on July 19.
Lions Team to Face the Reds
- Hugo Keenan
- Tom Freeman
- Huw Jones
- Bundee Aki
- Duhan van der Merwe
- Finn Russell
- Jamison Gibson-Park
- Jack Conan
- Jac Morgan
- Tom Curry
- Ollie Chessum
- Maro Itoje
- Will Stuart
- Ronan Kelleher
- Andrew Porter
Substitutes: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Garry Ringrose.
