Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones form Andy Farrell’s side, with Irish and English players filling out the rest of the starting line-up and squad. Welsh hope Jac Morgan is not included in the 23, which means it is the first time since 1896 the Lions have announced a side to play against Australia, New Zealand or South Africa without an inclusion of a Welshman.
Farrell responded that Morgan had been “as close as you could imagine” when questioned how close the forward had been to being picked after a series of stand-out performances on tour. Ireland has eight starters, level with the record for most Ireland players to start a Lions Test, and a further three on the bench.
England has four first-choice players, with five others in the reserves, but Owen Farrell and Henry Pollock are not given a chance. Tom Curry has emerged victorious in an intensive fight for the number seven shirt, ahead of Morgan and Josh van der Flier. The veteran Tadhg Beirne has been selected at blind-side flanker at the expense of Ollie Chessum, who had made a strong case to be included.
With Ireland’s Jack Conan at number eight, Farrell has opted for a powerful and experienced starting back row, with all three having played in the Test series against South Africa four years ago. That’s the part of the side that’s been talked about for some time and rightly so because of the quality we have there,” said Farrell.
“We believe it’s the proper balance for the first Test, with the quality of Tadgh in the set-piece as well as his general ability on the ground as jackler or ball-playing six. Tadgh has played a lot of big games when it counts, and I don’t doubt Ollie will contribute to the game as well. Tom Curry is the dynamo we all know that we require when it comes to Test match football.”
