British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has named his Lions team to play Japan at BT Murrayfield on June 26th.
16,500 supporters will be welcomed to Scottish Rugby’s national stadium in Edinburgh for the first-ever clash between the Lions and the Brave Blossoms.
“We’re anticipating a tough game against Japan – a side that like to play at a high-tempo and shift the ball,” said Gatland.
“We saw throughout the World Cup they have attacking threats across the park and a solid defence and set piece.
“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made during our training camp in Jersey so far, but we’ve a long way to go. You can see that the squad are starting to get to grips with our game strategies, but, as always with a Lions Tour, this takes time to bed in.
“We’re in a good place though and I can tell there’s a lot more to come from this group.”
When is the Lions vs Japan?
Saturday, June 26.
What time is Lions vs Japan kick-off?
3pm BST.
What TV channel is Lions vs Japan on?
Channel 4!
Lions team to play Japan:
Starting XV
15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
9. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790
1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
5. Alun Wyn Jones – Captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)
Replacements:
- Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
- Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
- Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
- Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
- Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779
- Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
- Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
- Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816
Who will referee the Lions vs Japan match?
- Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
- Assistant referee: Romain Poite (France)
- Assistant referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
- TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
EDITORS PICKS:
- Fans Rank The Top 5 Players To Never Be Called Up by Lions
- Nigel Owens names five players who have to start for Lions
- Jonah Lomu selected his dream backline – and included himself
- The England XV Eddie Jones will start against the USA
- Eddie Jones adds NINE players to his England training squad
Warren Gatland’s standby player for each position
#BACK-THREE:
- 15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
- 14. Jack Nowell (England)
- 11. Jonny. May (England)
#CENTRES:
- 13. Manu Tuilagi (England)
- 12. Jonathan Davies (Wales)
