British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell has handed the captaincy to his son, Owen Farrell, for Tuesday’s tour match against a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne — the final warm-up fixture before the Lions’ remaining two Tests against Australia.
Owen Farrell, who was drafted into the squad early in the tour as an injury replacement, will lead the side from inside centre in what will be his 20th appearance in Lions colours.
Fullback Blair Kinghorn returns to the starting XV after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of Saturday’s series-opening win over the Wallabies in Brisbane. The Scot is considered the frontrunner to wear the number 15 jersey in the remaining Tests.
Ireland’s Garry Ringrose, back from a concussion layoff, takes a spot on the bench as he bids to break into the Test squad for the second and third matches, set for the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney.
The Lions’ back row features Henry Pollock, Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan — all omitted from the first Test — in a mobile, high-energy trio looking to impress selectors.
“This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two tests,” said Andy Farrell. “The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places, and we want that to continue.”
Scotland’s Darcy Graham has been named on the right wing following his call-up from the national team’s Pacific tour, while Jamie George starts at hooker after linking up with the squad from England’s Argentina tour.
The bench includes three more Scottish reinforcements: lock Gregor Brown, hooker Ewan Ashman and prop Rory Sutherland, all of whom joined the squad in recent days.
The Lions face a formidable opponent in the First Nations & Pasifika XV, captained by Wallaby veteran Kurtley Beale. The team boasts a wealth of power and flair, and Farrell is under no illusions about the challenge.
“This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power,” he added.
British & Irish Lions team to face First Nations & Pasifika XV:
Starting XV:
15 – Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
14 – Darcy Graham (Scotland)
13 – Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
12 – Owen Farrell (England, captain)
11 – Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
10 – Fin Smith (England)
9 – Ben White (Scotland)
8 – Henry Pollock (England)
7 – Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
6 – Jac Morgan (Wales)
5 – Scott Cummings (Scotland)
4 – James Ryan (Ireland)
3 – Finlay Bealham (Ireland)
2 – Jamie George (England)
1 – Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
Replacements:
16 – Ewan Ashman (Scotland)
17 – Rory Sutherland (Scotland)
18 – Tom Clarkson (Ireland)
19 – Gregor Brown (Scotland)
20 – Ben Earl (England)
21 – Alex Mitchell (England)
22 – Marcus Smith (England)
23 – Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
The Lions will return to the MCG on Saturday for the second Test against Australia before wrapping up the series in Sydney the following weekend.