WARREN GATLAND HAS handed Ireland internationals Conor Murray, Tadhg Furlong, Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony their first starts of the 2017 Lions tour for Saturday’s clash with the Crusaders at AMI Stadium [KO 8.35am Irish time, Sky Sports].
The Irishmen are part of a group of 11 players who get their starting chance for the first time on the tour of New Zealand, with the Lions bidding to bounce back from Wednesday night’s 22-16 defeat to the Blues.
O'Mahony came off the bench against the Blues. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
England’s Owen Farrell will wear the 10 shirt against the Super Rugby-leading Crusaders, while Welshman Alun Wyn Jones captains what looks like the strongest Lions team in New Zealand yet.
Ireland’s CJ Stander, Johnny Sexton and Jack McGrath – all of whom were involved against the Blues – are part of the Lions bench.
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Missing from the matchday squad is captain Sam Warburton, who started the opening game of the tour last weekend but did not feature against the Blues midweek.
Stuart Hogg returns at fullback after a poor performance against the Provincial Barbarians last Saturday, making up the back three with Liam Williams and George North, who features for the first time on this tour.
Jonathan Davies does the same in the 13 shirt, partnering Ben Te’o outside a halfback pairing of Farrell and Murray.
Mako Vunipola starts at loosehead prop in a front row that also includes Jamie George and Furling, while George Kruis gets his first start alongside captain Jones in the engine room. O’Mahony and O’Brien are joined by Wales’ Taulupe Faletau in the back row.
Lions (v Crusaders):
15. Stuart Hogg
14. George North
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Ben Te’o
11. Liam Williams
10. Owen Farrell
9. Conor Murray
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
5. George Kruis
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Jack McGrath
18. Dan Cole
19. Maro Itoje
20. CJ Stander
21. Rhys Webb
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Anthony Watson
Murray, SOB, POM and Furlong get first 2017 Lions starts against Crusaders
Murray Kinsella reports from Christchurch
WARREN GATLAND HAS handed Ireland internationals Conor Murray, Tadhg Furlong, Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony their first starts of the 2017 Lions tour for Saturday’s clash with the Crusaders at AMI Stadium [KO 8.35am Irish time, Sky Sports].
The Irishmen are part of a group of 11 players who get their starting chance for the first time on the tour of New Zealand, with the Lions bidding to bounce back from Wednesday night’s 22-16 defeat to the Blues.
England’s Owen Farrell will wear the 10 shirt against the Super Rugby-leading Crusaders, while Welshman Alun Wyn Jones captains what looks like the strongest Lions team in New Zealand yet.
Ireland’s CJ Stander, Johnny Sexton and Jack McGrath – all of whom were involved against the Blues – are part of the Lions bench.
Missing from the matchday squad is captain Sam Warburton, who started the opening game of the tour last weekend but did not feature against the Blues midweek.
Stuart Hogg returns at fullback after a poor performance against the Provincial Barbarians last Saturday, making up the back three with Liam Williams and George North, who features for the first time on this tour.
Jonathan Davies does the same in the 13 shirt, partnering Ben Te’o outside a halfback pairing of Farrell and Murray.
Mako Vunipola starts at loosehead prop in a front row that also includes Jamie George and Furling, while George Kruis gets his first start alongside captain Jones in the engine room. O’Mahony and O’Brien are joined by Wales’ Taulupe Faletau in the back row.
Lions (v Crusaders):
15. Stuart Hogg
14. George North
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Ben Te’o
11. Liam Williams
10. Owen Farrell
9. Conor Murray
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
5. George Kruis
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Jack McGrath
18. Dan Cole
19. Maro Itoje
20. CJ Stander
21. Rhys Webb
22. Johnny Sexton
23. Anthony Watson
Referee: Mathieu Raynal [FFR].
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