LIONS HEAD COACH Warren Gatland has brought Conor Murray into his starting XV for Saturday’s second Test against South Africa in Cape Town [KO 5pm Irish/UK time, Sky Sports].
The Ireland scrum-half replaces Ali Price in what is one of three changes made by Gatland.
Scotland centre Chris Harris has been named at outside centre, with Elliot Daly dropping to the bench, and Mako Vunipola starts at loosehead prop, with Rory Sutherland making way.
Murray comes into the starting XV alongside Ireland team-mates Jack Conan, Robbie Henshaw, and Tadhg Furlong – all of whom hold onto their places after last weekend’s first Test victory. Tadhg Beirne is among the replacements again.
Out-half Dan Biggar has been retained named in the number 10 shirt after a head injury last weekend but he needs to complete his return-to-play protocols and assessment by an independent concussion consultant in order to be cleared to start on Saturday.
Gatland has also named Taulupe Faletau on the bench, with Hamish Watson dropping out of the matchday 23, as does Liam Williams.
The Springboks are due to name their starting XV and bench this afternoon.
Lions (v South Africa):
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Anthony Watson
13. Chris Harris
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Duhan van der Merwe
10. Dan Biggar
9. Conor Murray
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje
5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain)
6. Courtney Lawes
7. Tom Curry
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Rory Sutherland
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. Tadhg Beirne
20. Taulupe Faletau
21. Ali Price
22. Owen Farrell
23. Elliot Daly.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe [New Zealand].
- Originally published at 9.59
Think Henshaw at 13 would give them a better defensive shape( therefore Aki at 12). Harris defense is not his strongest competency…..delighted for Jack after what appeared to be a concerted Welsh media effort to rubbish his contribution.
@Michael Murray: would have hooked van der merwe and played daly on the wing. Think there wasn’t much between aki and Harris to start I’m happy with the line up.
@whoowhat?: ….well anyone that played as badly as Daly last week must have their confidence shot and so should not even be in match day squad. His flexibility to cover – notionally- a number of positions is all that saved him I’m guessing. Adams for VDM if you must hook him.
@Michael Murray: I would actually say Harris is a very strong defender, although so is Aki. Would have preferred an Aki Henshaw pairing for sure, but mainly for their familiarity with each other than for any shortcomings on the part of Harris
@Michael Murray: SA don’t attack at 13, they ram everything at 12. Aki carries straight and delande and SA would love that. With henshaws ability to beat a player and his passing its best to keep him at 12.
@Michael Murray: daly played poor in an unnatural position where as van der merwe played poor in his natural position. Daly is a pro and I’m sure 1 poor game out of position will not dent his confidence much.
@Chris Mc:
Sorry but against SA 12 is trucking it up and fighting like a dog… Both AKi and Henshaw are good at…
Henshaw is the best 13 out there by a mile… AKi to 12 and he can clean up all day…
@Cowboy Paddy: henshaw has delande’s number he doesn’t really need Aki to help him. The closer to the play henshaw is the better. Aki will carry straight the SA’s love that.
@Chris Mc: I assume you mean telephone number?????
Boks are going to be very physical in next text…Lions need to be brave ….Murray is an extra back row in defence so his start makes sense….Conan’s footwork and pace and his ability out wide makes good sense…Henshaw and Furlong are first choice players every time for me …probably make most international sides
@Kevin50: Funny enough Price had a much better defensive record in the 6 nations. Think Price is unlucky to drop but if there chasing a game he’s the better bench option
@Bill Obill: it’s tough on him if you look at tit that way but it’s a 23 man game now and the starting 15 and the whole bench have a part to play.
@Kevin50: murrary needs to move the ball quickly rather than let the SA defenders line up their tackles. Also the more the ball is is play the better. Boxkicking creates too many stops in play giving the SA plenty of breaks. Hopfully Conor doesn’t kick too much.
Thankfully the Welsh media didn’t get to Gatlands head, ridiculous calls for Falataeu to start ahead of Conan
@Cranesofdublin: No different to the Irish media. People have their favorites. Another ‘story’ that ran and ran for no reason.
@Ricky Wright: don’t think I’ve ever seen an Irish pundit call for an Irish player to start ahead of another individual who had a great game?
@Cranesofdublin: has neil francis been asked?
@Cranesofdublin: you remember the Irish pundit reaction to bod being dropped for JD?
@PScald: if memory services me correctly, drico has a good game in the second test, jd was at fault for the wallabies try. Jd hadnt played 13, was predominantly a 12. However jd played very well in the 3rd test
@Mick O’Shea: he did say a pundit. It’s not fair to call francis a pundit. I could think of a few names to call him but pundit isn’t one of them
Would’ve preferred an Aki/Henshaw centre combo, but having said that no problem with Harris coming in. Daly had to go. Would’ve had Liam Williams at 11 for van der Merwe.
@David Finn: mayby 3rd test
What a team!! COYL!!