With preparation time at a premium since arriving in South Africa, Warren Gatland has made wholesale change in his British & Irish Lions team to play Emirates Lions.
Stuart Hogg will captain an all-new starting XV to the one that defeated Japan 28-10 in Edinburgh last weekend to win The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup, save for Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) who retains his place on the left wing.
“It’s good to have arrived in Johannesburg and get the Tour underway,” said Lions Head coach, Warren Gatland.
“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.
“My congratulations to all those playing their first game as a Lion, and also to Hoggy too – who I am sure will lead the side by example.”
British & Irish Lions vs Emirates Lions
- Date: Saturday 3 July
- Kick off: 5pm BST
- Stadium: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event (coverage from 4pm)
- Live stream: Sky Go app and online at skysports.com or Now TV
Lions team to play Emirates Lions:
15, Stuart Hogg – captain (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales)
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) #835
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843
1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842
2. Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) – Prop #787
18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England)
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales)
22. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
Saturday 3 July 2021
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 5pm (BST)
EDITORS PICKS:
- Lawrence Dallaglio names the FIVE toughest back-rowers
- The 5 Most Capped Players to Never Win A Cap For The Lions
- CONFIRMED: Gallagher Premiership will be expanded to 14 teams
- Dan Carter ranks his top five rugby players of all-time
- Alun Wyn Jones replacement ruled out with ‘significant injury’
Lions tour 2021 fixtures
All kick-off times BST; SA Rugby organising on basis of no fans in attendance
Pre-tour warm-up game:
- Sat 26 June: vs Japan – Edinburgh (Murrayfield), 3pm
Tour warm-up games:
- Sat 3 July: vs Emirates Lions – Johannesburg (Emirates Airline Park), 5pm (Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 4pm)
- Weds 7 July: vs Sharks – Johannesburg (Emirates Airline Park), 7pm (Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 6pm)
- Sat 10 July: vs Bulls – Pretoria, 5pm (Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 4pm)
- Weds 14 July: vs South Africa ‘A’ – Cape Town, 7pm (Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 6pm)
- Sat 17 July: vs Stormers – Cape Town, 5pm (Sky Sports Action from 4pm, Main Event 5pm)
Test matches:
- Sat 24 July: vs Springboks – Cape Town, 5pm (Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 3:30pm)
- Sat 31 July: vs Springboks – Johannesburg (FNB Stadium), 5pm (Sky Sports Action and Main Event from 3:30pm)
- Sat 7 August: vs Springboks – Johannesburg (FNB Stadium), 5pm