Munster Rugby star named in British and Irish Lions team to face Australia

Eight Ireland players have made the starting XV to face Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies, including Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan, and Joe McCarthy who are all set for their Lions Test debuts.

Tadhg Furlong packs down at tighthead prop, continuing his very impressive run in the Lions Test team having worn the number 3 jersey throughout the 2017 and 2021 series in New Zealand and South Africa respectively.

Jack Conan, who also started all three Tests against the Springboks, is selected again at number 8, while there is a maiden Lions Test start at blindside flanker for Munster captain Tadhg Beirne, who made two appearances off the bench four years ago.

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The eight-strong Irish representation is a record in the professional era, with seven in the 2009 second Test against South Africa being the previous best. The third Test of the 1938 tour to South Africa also saw eight Ireland players make the side.

Lions Test debutants Rónan Kelleher and Andrew Porter, and Bundee Aki,who started the final Test in 2021, bring the Irish contingent involved to a total of eleven. They are part of a strong replacements bench at Farrell’s disposal.

“We are entering the business end of the tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date,” said Farrell. “We know how motivated the Wallaby team will be, and we know they’re a well organised and dangerous side.

“It is a great occasion and a proud moment for Maro Itoje, who will captain the Test side, but also for those players who get the opportunity to represent the group on Saturday night.

“We have seen a flood of Lions supporters on the streets of Brisbane this week, and we’re looking forward to seeing a ‘Sea of Red’ in the stands of Suncorp Stadium cheering on the team.”

Saracens and England captain Maro Itoje will lead the side and is partnered at lock by Leinster Rugby and Ireland second row Joe McCarthy.

In the front row, Bristol Bears and England’s Ellis Genge teams up with Leinster and Ireland pair Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.

The backrow sees Leinster and Ireland’s Jack Conan at No.8, Munster Rugby and Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne at blindside and Sale Sharks and England’s Tom Curry at openside.

Leinster and Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park and Bath Rugby and Scotland’s Finn Russell are named as the half-back pairing.

The Glasgow Warriors and Scotland midfield partnership of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones line out in the centres.

The Leinster and Ireland duo of Hugo Keenan and James Lowe are joined in the backfield by Northampton Saints and England flyer Tommy Freeman.

In 2013, the Lions narrowly beat the Wallabies 23-21 and survived a last minute penalty attempt from Kurtley Beale to secure the victory.