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Conan has been in excellent form. Billy Stickland/INPHO

Conan set to start as Gatland brings Test team announcement forward

Conor Murray may have to settle for a place on the bench against the Springboks.

IRELAND’S JACK CONAN is set to be named in the Lions’ starting XV for Saturday’s first Test against the Springboks in Cape Town, but Conor Murray may have to settle for a place on the bench.

News of the Lions’ possible starting XV was first reported by The Times in the UK.

Conan appears to have beaten off the competition of Taulupe Faletau for the number eight jersey in a pack that also looks certain to contain Ireland tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong.

However, Robbie Henshaw could be the only Irish member of the backline with Scotland’s Ali Price now in line to start at scrum-half ahead of Murray after a string of impressive performances in the number nine shirt on tour.

It would be a disappointment for Murray to have to settle for a place on the bench, particularly given that he was appointed as the Lions’ tour captain when Alun Wyn Jones appeared to be ruled out of the tour with a shoulder injury.

Jones is now back as tour captain and having made his return off the bench last weekend against the Stormers, the Welshman is set to start as captain this weekend against the Springboks.

The Lions bench could also include Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne and Iain Henderson. 

The Lions are now due to officially name their matchday 23 at 10am Irish/UK time tomorrow. Their team naming had been planned for Thursday morning but the announcement has been brought forward by a day.

Earlier today, the Springboks announced their matchday 23 to face the Lions, with captain Siya Kolisi passed fit to start after his recent Covid-enforced isolation.

Originally published at 20.15

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    Mute samstheman
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    Mar 18th 2019, 11:00 PM

    It really is people from outside the club who are concerned about his dry spell. 17 goals 7 assists & well in the hunt for the golden boot again

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    Mute Fr Romeo sensini.
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    Mar 19th 2019, 8:51 AM

    @samstheman: his finishing and awareness of players around him recently has been shocking, pressure?

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    Mute Battaz
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    Mar 18th 2019, 11:09 PM

    Even when Salah hits a dry patch the opposition are fixated on him!
    Liverpool are Top of the Premiership, and in the quarter finals of the Champion’s League!
    Slow news day?

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Mar 18th 2019, 11:17 PM

    @Battaz: tbf its not news but for salah to come out of his dry spell( if ya can call it that) would be a massive boost for lfc. While their in a great posistion city still there and augero scoring. Messi/ronaldo scoring for europes big teams.

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    Mute Fred McHugh
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    Mar 18th 2019, 10:25 PM

    Salah is selfish. Always angry and moody when he doesn’t score yet the team are winning.

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    Mute Derek Trotter
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    Mar 18th 2019, 10:45 PM

    @Fred McHugh: all top strikers/goal scorers have that trait. Its a positive in a goal scorer. Top top player

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    Mute Willy Motley
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    Mar 18th 2019, 10:52 PM

    @Fred McHugh: talking ouv your hoop

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    Mute Aileen Frost
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    Mar 19th 2019, 1:32 AM

    @Fred McHugh: thats what top strikers are …. Not ever happy with what they have . MON DA POOL

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 19th 2019, 4:18 AM

    @Fred McHugh: can only agree with you Frederick. That accidental assist for Mane with the outside of his right foot v Munich was absolute and utter greed. Sell him to West Ham and be off with him

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    Mute Conor Pocock
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    Mar 19th 2019, 4:19 AM

    @Conor Pocock: left foot…. doh :)

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