10 England players involved as Lions team named for tour opener

Stuart Hogg gets the captaincy honour.

Warren Gatland has named his Lions team for the tour opener against Emirates Lions, on Saturday. There are six English starters, with another four on the replacements bench. Gatland had promised to give game-time to most of his players in the first game, and he is keeping true to his word. The only players missing out are Tom Curry and the late call-ups, Josh Navidi and Adam Beard. Tour captain Conor Murray has been given the game off, so Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg is named captain for this game. There is a Scottish feel to the backline, too, as Ali Price and Finn Russell are named 9 and 10, with Chris Harris in midfield with England's Owen Farrell. Elsewhere, Louise Rees-Zammit comes in for his Lions debut and Josh Adams is the only played retained in the starting XV from last weekend's win over Japan. In the pack, Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill are in the second row, with Jamie George, Wyn Jones and Kyle Sinckler all getting their first tour starts in the front row. Courtney Lawes is named blindside with Hamish Watson and Toby Faletau rounding out the XV. On the bench are Ireland's two representatives, Iain Henderson and Bundee Aki. The exciting Sam Simmonds is in line to make his Lions debut off the bench.

LIONS XV (vs. Emirates Lions)

15. Stuart Hogg 14. Louis Rees-Zammit 13. Chris Harris 12. Owen Farrell 11. Josh Adams 10. Finn Russell 9. Ali Price 1. Wyn Jones 2. Jamie George 3. Kyle Sinckler 4. Maro Itoje 5. Jonny Hill 6. Courtney Lawes 7. Hamish Watson 8. Toby Faletau REPLACEMENTS: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Zander Fagerson, Iain Henderson, Sam Simmonds, Gareth Davies, Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly.

The match against the Emirates Lions takes place at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg from 5pm. Ahead of the game, Lions head coach Warren Gatland said, "We had a pleasing win last week up in Edinburgh, but there’s still plenty we need to get right on Saturday. "I’ve been encouraged by the way the boys have trained this week. I feel it’s gone up a level from where we were in Jersey and we’re starting to see a better understanding of some of our tactics. "There’s some new player combinations for us to have a look at this Saturday – which is good information for us as the Test Series approaches." Listen and subscribe to House of Rugby's Lions Series - with Sean O'Brien & Alex Goode - right HERE

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