Ellis Genge, a Bristol Bears player, appears to be closing in on a berth in Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions Test team to face the Wallabies in two weeks after being picked to a strong side to face the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday in a possible trial run for the international series.
England loosehead. Ellis Genge, 30, will make his third appearance this summer as part of his first Lions tour. Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong of Leinster and Ireland will join him in the front row as hooker and tight-head, respectively.
Saracens and England Lock On Wednesday night, Maro Itoje reclaims the captain’s armband and will be joined in the second row by Joe McCarthy of Leinster Rugby and Ireland.
Jack Conan, an Irishman, has been picked at number eight in Canberra, Australia’s capital, where the Lions will face a packed Gio Stadium crowd. Sale The back row is made up of Sharks and England openside Tom Curry, Leicester Tigers, and England blindside flanker Ollie Chessum.
Jamison Gibson-Park of Leinster and Ireland, and Finn Russell of Bath Rugby and Scotland, will combine for the second time at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively.
Bundee Aki of Connacht and Ireland, and Garry Ringrose of Leinster and Ireland, form a familiar centre tandem.
Toulouse and Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn makes his second start, with Northampton Saints, England’s Tommy Freeman, and Leinster, Ireland’s James Lowe on the wings.
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell stated, “In 2013, the Brumbies defeated the British & Irish Lions in Canberra, and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby, so we are well aware of the battle ahead of us.
“It will also be a special occasion for Mack Hansen as he returns to his hometown and gets the opportunity to play for and represent the Lions against some of his old teammates.”
Lions Team: 15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland). 14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, England) 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby, Ireland), 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland), 11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby, Ireland), 10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby / Scotland). 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby, Ireland), 1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, England). 2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland), 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland), 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (C). 5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby, Ireland), 6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, England) 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England); 8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland).
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland); 17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland); 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England); 19. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland). 20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England), 21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England), 22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England), and 23. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland).
Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Ben O’Donnell, 13 Ollie Sapsford, and 12 David Feliuai. 11. Corey Toole, 10. Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (captain), 8 Tuaina Taii Tualima, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Lachlan Lonergan, 1 Lington Ieli. Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Lachie Hooper, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Harrison Goddard, 22 Jack Debreczeni, 23 Hudson Creighton.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand), Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
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