England lock Maro Itoje forced to drop out of Lions team - Ruck

England lock Maro Itoje forced to drop out of Lions team

Courtney Lawes will replace Maro Itoje in the starting XV for this evening’s Castle Lager Lions Series clash against Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld (kick off 5pm BST).

Second row Itoje has been suffering from a mild gastric bug. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) is called into the replacements.

https://twitter.com/SkySportsRugby/status/1413872892002115586

Elsewhere, Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) also takes a place on the bench, replacing Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) who is managing an Achilles issue.

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816
13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
12. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) #850
1. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840
2. Jamie George – captain (Saracens, England) #819
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
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) #839

Replacements:
16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
19. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) #852
20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849
21. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853
22. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790
23. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837

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