British and Irish Lions 2017: Sam Warburton starts on the bench as Peter O'Mahony handed captaincy for first Test
Leigh Halfpenny joins Warburton on the bench while George North has been completely overlooked from the match day squad
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Warren Gatland has left Sam Warburton out of his British and Irish Lions starting line-up to face the All Blacks in Saturday’s first Test, with Peter O’Mahony captaining the side in a radical shake up by the head coach following the victory over the Chiefs.
Both Liam Williams and Elliot Daly start the game at Eden Park, despite being named in Tuesday’s starting XV, with Leigh Halfpenny only fit enough to be named among the replacements. Halfpenny’s inclusion on the bench means there is no space for George North, with the wing dropped from the match day squad completely after two indifferent performances against the Crusaders and the Maori All Blacks.
Gatland had elected to leave Warburton out of the starting line-up, despite the flanker playing against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians and the Highlanders. Warburton made it known to Gatland that he felt he was undercooked for the first Test, with O’Mahony leading the team alongside Sean O’Brien and Taulupe Faletau in the back-row.
There is another surprise in the pack with Maro Itoje left out of the starting line-up, while Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has been selected alongside George Kruis. Despite not featuring against the Maori, Jones is selected ahead of the Saracens forward that was named man of the match against the Maori in Rotorua on Saturday.
"We have picked a side based on form with a lot of players putting their hands up, especially from the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks games, and it was a lively selection meeting,” Gatland said. “The win against the Chiefs was also extremely important for the squad and some players played themselves into the side.
"We have continuously been strong at set piece and have been good defensively in the last two or three outings. But to beat the All Blacks you have to be courageous and play some rugby – you have to score tries and I think we have picked a team capable of doing that.”
While Farrell is fit to start the game at fly-half ahead of Johnny Sexton, Halfpenny is only named on the bench despite recovering from the head injury that he suffered against the Maori side last Saturday. Gatland has been a long-term supporter of Williams on the wing, yet saw enough in the Welshman’s performance on Saturday to name him at full-back, while Daly is named on the left wing.
Ben Te’o is rewarded for his good form in New Zealand as he starts at inside centre, with Jonathan Davies alongside him in the midfield.
British and Irish Lions squad to face the All Blacks in first Test
Starting XV: Liam Williams; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Elliot Daly; Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadh Furlong; Alun Wyn Jones, George Kruis; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb, Johnny Sexton, Leigh Halfpenny.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments