Stuart Hogg captains the Lions again
Robbie Henshaw and Alun Wyn Jones will return to the Lions team to take on the Stormers on Saturday, a match which will see Marcus Smith make his first start for Warren Gatland’s side following his inclusion in the touring squad.
Josh Adams is also back in the side, on the right wing, while Tadhg Beirne and Hamish Watson start with Jack Conan in the back row.
“How often are you doing this with Seánie and you haven’t got your Irish pronunciations right?!” 🤣
Shane Horgan helps Jack Willis learn how to pronounce ‘Tadhg Beirne’ correctly.
w/ @VodafoneUK pic.twitter.com/ovMTdoN8nu
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOE_UK) July 14, 2021
Tadhg Furlong is named in the front row with Rory Sutherland and Luke Cowan Dickie. Jones’ remarkable recovery from a dislocated shoulder just 19 days ago sees him make the bench.
Lions coach Warren Gatland commented: “For the matchday 23 it’s their last opportunity to stake a claim for a Test place, so I expect to see a highly motivated group of players.
“It is particularly pleasing to be able to name Stuart Hogg in the squad. He’s not had much luck on Lions Tours to date, so it’ll be great to see him cross the whitewash again with the captain’s armband.”
“I’m also delighted that Marcus will get his first start in a Lions jersey,” he added. “I’ve been really impressed with his attitude since coming into camp this week; he’s been like a sponge for information.”
LIONS XV (vs. Stormers)
15. Stuart Hogg – captain (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836
13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, England)
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #8431. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) #852
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) #845
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) #847
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839REPLACEMENTS: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Zander Fagerson, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Simmonds, Gareth Davies, Chris Harris, Louis Rees-Zammit
The Lions will face the Stormers this Saturday in the last of their warm-up games before the three-Test series against the Springboks gets underway on July 24.
Watch episode four of House of Rugby Lions Series
