It is lastly right here: The British and Irish Lions face Australia within the first of a three-Check sequence that can assist determine the destiny of this summer time’s tour.
Andy Farrell’s aspect can be trying to get off to a quick begin after a flawless report to date Down Underneath that has seen them notch 5 straight wins, a couple of of which have been blowouts.
Sione Tuilopulotu has overwhelmed out Bundee Aki to begin at centre for the Lions, with Owen Farrell unnoticed regardless of his spectacular show within the 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational aspect final weekend, whereas Tom Lynagh will line up at fly-half for an Australia aspect ravaged by poor type and accidents.
Australia will nonetheless wish to set the tone early and remind the Lions who they’re coping with. Henry Pollock is on-record as saying a 3-0 whitewash is “positively on the desk.” We are going to know extra whether or not that’s on the playing cards after this weekend.
Right here is all the things that you must know.
When is the sport?
When: Saturday, July 12 at 8 p.m. AEST (11 a.m. BST)
The place: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match official: Ben O’Keeffe
How one can watch
The match can be proven dwell on Sky Sports activities within the UK and on Stan Sport in Australia. For radio, TalkSport can be offering dwell commentary, whereas BBC Radio Wales will ship Welsh commentary.
It’s also possible to observe ESPN’s dwell weblog, in addition to intensive information and have protection.
Lineups
Lions crew: 15-Hugo Keenan, 14-Tommy Freeman, 13-Huw Jones, 12-Sione Tuipulotu, 11-James Lowe, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Jamison Gibson-Park, 8-Jack Conan, 7-Tom Curry, 6-Tadhg Beirne, 5-Joe McCarthy, 4-Maro Itoje (captain), 3-Tadhg Furlong, 2-Dan Sheehan, 1-Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16-Ronan Kelleher, 17-Andrew Porter, 18-Will Stuart, 19-Ollie Chessum, 20-Ben Earl, 21-Alex Mitchell, 22-Marcus Smith, 23-Bundee Aki
Australia crew: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Max Jorgensen, 13-Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12-Len Ikitau, 11-Harry Potter, 10-Tom Lynagh, 9-Jake Gordon, 8-Harry Wilson (captain), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Nick Champion de Crespigny, 5-Jeremy Williams, 4-Nick Frost, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Matt Faessler, 1-James Slipper.
Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Tom Robertson, 19-Tom Hooper, 20-Carlo Tizzano, 21-Tate McDermott, 22-Ben Donaldson, 23-Andrew Kellaway.
Kind information
The Lions come into the sport as huge favourites — not simply because of Australia being with out Noah Lolesio and Rob Valetini — but in addition due to the 2 sides’ respective type.
The vacationers, whereas not dominant always, have gained all their warmup video games Down Underneath whereas Australia have solely gained 4 of their final 11 Assessments.
A 21-18 victory over Fiji hardly impressed confidence, whereas Australia misplaced to each Eire and Scotland final autumn.
Lions final 5 video games: 48-0 vs. AUNZ Invitational, 36-24 vs. ACT Brumbies, 21-10 vs. New South Wales Waratahs, 52-12 vs. Queensland Reds, 54-7 vs. Western Pressure.
Australia final 5 video games: 21-18 vs. Fiji, 19-22 vs. Eire, 13-27 vs. Scotland, 52-20 vs.Wales, 42-37 vs. England
– James Regan: Why Pollock deserves beginning spot in first Check
– Full fixture record for Lions tour of Australia
– All the things that you must learn about summer time Lions tour
– The total 38-man Lions squad
