IRISHMAN BEST TO LEAD NEW-LOOK SQUAD AGAINST HURRICANES
isappointed British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has gone back to the drawing board, turning tomorrow’s clash with the Wellington Hurricanes into a trial for the second Test.
The All Blacks’ 30-15 first Test win in Auckland on Saturday rocked the Lions, particularly the way their forward pack was pushed around.
In naming his side yesterday to play the Hurricanes, Gatland indicated changes from the first Test squad were on the cards. “We are obviously hugely disappointed with the result last night but it is important to regroup,” he said.
“We know there are a lot of players motivated to go out and get a result for the whole group.
“A few players put their hands up for selection from the Chiefs game and played their way into the Test team so they know that there is another opportunity for them on Tuesday.”
Although the Lions midweek team has largely been seen as a “B” line-up, fullback Liam Williams and wing Elliott Daly did enough in the 34-6 win over the Chiefs to play in the first Test four days later.
Ireland’s Rory Best will captain the team against the Hurricanes, the defending Super Rugby champions, leading the side for the second time on tour after taking the reins for the victory over the Chiefs.
Gatland has retained the same forward pack from that game in Hamilton while Greig Laidlaw and Dan Biggar provide continuity in the halves.
Apart from Jack Nowell’s switch to fullback and a shuffle in the outside backs the Lions midweek team is largely unchanged. Tommy Seymour and George North, who has not been required for the past two games, will start on the wings.
Lions (15-1):
Jack Nowell (Exeter/ENG); Tommy Seymour (Glasgow/SCO), Jonathan Joseph (Bath/ENG), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/IRL), George North (Northampton/WAL); Dan Biggar (Ospreys/WAL), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester/SCO); CJ Stander (Munster/IRL), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys/ WAL), James Haskell (Wasps/ENG); Courtney Lawes (Northampton/ENG), Iain Henderson (Ulster/IRL); Dan Cole (Leicester/ENG), Rory Best (capt, Ulster/IRL), Joe Marler (Harlequins/ENG).
Replacements:
Kristian Dacey (Cardiff/ WAL), Allan Dell (Edinburgh/SCO), Tomas Francis (Exeter/WAL) Cory Hill (Newport/ WAL), George Kruis (Saracens/ENG), Gareth Davies (Scarlets/WAL), Finn Russell (Glasgow/SCO), Jared Payne (Ulster/IRL).