British and Irish Lions: Sky Sports pundits pick their XVs for first Test against Australia | Rugby Union News
With the first test looming this Saturday, what Lions Andy Farrell should unleash on Australia?
Sky Sports`Pany of Lions Legends and Experts Choose their starting XVs for the opening of the Impatient series in Brisbane – Live on Sky sports the lions Saturday at 10 a.m. (kick -off at 11 a.m.).
Bold calls to proven combinations, here is who Ronan O’Gara, Sam Warburton, Sir Ian McGeechan, Dan Biggar, Will Greenwood and John Barclay support to put on the emblematic red shirt against the Wallabies …
“Keep Sheehan, Furlong in reserve”
Sky Sports’ Ronan O’Gara:
“I guess the first thing is, where is Tadhg Furlong and where is Dan Sheehan? For me, they are the two best in the world in their position, so I would like to finish the game with them just to have this safety to know that a test game is generally won in the last eight minutes. 15 rather than starting with it.
“Andrew Porter is an exceptional loose head, I think it’s a massive force area. I left with familiarity in the rear row [Ireland trio Beirne, Van der Flier, Conan]Because I think the impact of the bench of Ben Earl and Henry Pollock adds a lot. In the back, it’s quite simple. I think thati is the best in the world to win the gain line. It gives a front ball and the game is so much easier when you win collisions. “”
Start XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan.
Substitutes: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 James Ryan, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Owen Farrell.
‘Earls Conan Conan at No. 8’
Sam Sports Sam Warburton:
“The main subject of discussion in my team would be Ben Earl at n ° 8. In my humble opinion, the best match of Earl is better than the best match of Jack Conan. Jones is at 13 years old while Garry Ringrose was confirmed as injured, while Keenan is in the back because of the injury of Blair Kinghorn.”
Start XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Ben Earl.
‘Conan to bring physicity, the Jones’ franchise’
Sky Sports’ Sir Ian McGeechan:
“I selected the most skillful under pressure Jack Conan at No. 8 above Ben Earl, and I selected Huw Jones at 13 due to the injury of Garry Ringrose. Hugo Keenan is my first choice backwards. I go for the first physics test and directivity, especially to cuts.
Start XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Jack Conan.
‘Kinghorn to start if in good shape’
Dan Biggar by Sky Sports:
“I would have started Garry Ringrose on Jones at 13 if he had been in good shape. If Kinghorn was not in good shape, then I would bring Hugo Keenan.”
Start XV: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Jack Conan.
‘Van der Flier at OpenSide’
Will Greenwood of Sky Sports:
“I would have van der Flier on Jac Morgan at n ° 7. If Kinghorn is in good shape, I will start it. If it is not, then it’s Hugo Keenan.”
Start XV: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Jack Conan.
‘Tuipulotu, Jones in the center’
John Barclay of Sky Sports:
“I left with Hugo Keenan back only if Blair Kinghorn is not in good shape and Jones at 13 when Garry Ringrose is confirmed.”
Start XV: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (C), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Ollie Chessum, 7 Jac Morgan, 8 Jack Conan.
The British and Irish lions face Australia during the first test of the series this Saturday – you can watch every match live on Sky Sports or Stream with now.
After having opened their tour with defeat against Argentina in Dublin, the team of Andy Farrell has since won five consecutive victories in Australia against Western Force, Queensland Reds, Nsw Waratahs, Act Brumbies and an Aunz Invitational XV.
This Saturday, the Lions play Australia in the long -awaited opening test, live Sky Sports Action – renowned Sky sports the lions – And Main Sky Sports event From 10 a.m. (kick -off from 11 a.m.).
Sky Sports is the house of the British and Irish lions tour in 2025 in Australia, with all the warm -up matches and the whole series with three tests against the Wallabies presented exclusively live.
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