Ireland trio Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan have all been picked to start by Lions head coach Warren Gatland ahead of Saturday’s game against the Cell C Sharks in Pretoria.
Lions captain and Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray has also been named on the bench, with Gatland looking to prime his squad for the upcoming test series against South Africa.
This will be the second time they have faced the Sharks in less than a week after a Covid-19 outbreak forced their game against the Bulls that was penciled in for this weekend postponed.
TEAM NEWS 🦁
Our team to play @TheSharksZA at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow 👇 #LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 9, 2021
The Lions won Wednesday’s game against the Sharks 54-7, with Ireland's Bundee Aki scoring a try in a comprehensive win for the tourists.
“It’s obviously been a slightly turbulent week, but we remain determined to keep rolling with the punches,” Lions boss Gatland said after naming his squad.
“In many ways, the challenges we’ve faced this week have strengthened our resolve to do everything we can to overcome the challenges created by covid.
“The feeling in the camp on Wednesday night was just to give it a crack.
“I was really proud by how everyone reacted, particularly the match day squad who would have never prepared for a game like that before.
“Saturday is another opportunity to see how the boys go and for us as coaches to try out a few more combinations ahead of the Test series.”
He added: “We want to pass on thanks to the Sharks boys for fronting up and going again on Saturday. The spirit of rugby and a great chance for them to have another shot at us.”
It was a troublesome week in the tourists camp with Covid-19 issues at play. But Lions managing director Ben Calveley stressed that they remain committed to completing the tour.
“We remain committed to the Tour in South Africa and determined to rise to the challenges created by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Saturday’s rematch for the Lions against the Sharks will kick-off at 5pm, and it is live on Sky Sports Main Event with coverage beginning at 4pm.
Lions Squad for Saturday’s game
Backs:
15. Liam Williams (Wales), 14. Anthony Watson (England), 13. Elliot Daly (England), 12. Chris Harris (Scotland), 11. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), 10. Dan Biggar (Wales), 9. Gareth Davies (Wales).
Forwards:
1. Rory Sutherland (Scotland), 2. Jamie George (England), 3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), 4. Maro Itoje (England), 5. Jonny Hill (England), 6. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), 7. Hamish Watson (Scotland), 8. Jack Conan (Ireland).
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens (Wales), 17. Wyn Jones (Wales), 18. Kyle Sinckler (England), 19. Courtney Lawes (England), 20. Sam Simmonds (England), 21. Tom Curry (England), 22. Conor Murray (Ireland),23. Finn Russell (Scotland).
SEE ALSO: Eight Players Set To Make Ireland Debuts Against USA
