LIONS RUGBY WATCH
Neither James O’Connor nor Owen Farrell made the squads despite both earning late call-ups.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt named Qld’s Tom Lynagh to start in the playmaking role with Western Force backrower Nick Champion de Crespigny to make his Test debut.
Champion de Crespigny joined the Force this season after three seasons in the French Top 14 competition with Castres.
The team has been hit by injuries with Rob Valetini, Langi Gleeson and Will Skelton all ruled out.
Fellow Force teammate Jeremy Williams, named in the second row with Nick Frost, is backing the back-rower to step up.
Reds flyhalf Lynagh won the starting spot and completes the first father-son duo to start against the Lions, after dad Michael in 1989.
Lynagh partners Jake Gordon, who has been cleared of injury, to be fit for the match.
Prop James Slipper will start and becomes the second Australian to play in back-to-back Lions series.
The Wallabies will attempt to write history; they have never defeated the Lions in Brisbane going back to the first tour in 1899, says Rugby Australia.
Wallabies: James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Tom Lynagh, Harry Potter, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson and Andrew Kellaway.
LIONS ROLL CALL
The Lions squad has seven Leinster (Irish) players in the starting side and not one Welsh player, the first time since 1899.
Livewire English lock Maro Itoje retains the captaincy, and is set to be partnered by Joe McCarthy in the second-row with English international Ellis Genge partnering Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong in the front row.
Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan make up the loose forwards while the Leinster-heavy tone extends to the bench with Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter and Will Stuart making up the back-up front row.
The backline attack will be spearheaded by Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell while the Glasgow/Scotland duo of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones will add combination in the centres.
Lions: Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Maro Itoje, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan and Ellis Genge. Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith and Bundee Aki.
