Dan Sheehan will captain the Lions first fixture in Australia against the Western Force on Saturday.
Ireland and Leinster Rugby hooker Sheehan is one of five Leinster starters in Perth, alongside Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van Der Flier. All of whom make their Lions debuts this weekend at the Optus Stadium.
A further four players are set to make their Lions debuts off the bench.
England and Leicester Tigers lock Ollie Chessum, Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Huw Jones, Ireland and Leinster Rugby prop Andrew Porter and England and Bath Rugby prop Will Stuart.
“We have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time zone changes have been managed really well” said Lions Head Coach Farrell. “So we are good to go”.
“Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family. Congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut”.
“We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best.”
Johnny Sexton still involved
On the 2013 Tour, the Lions ran out 69-17 winners at the Subiaco Oval. Current assistant coach Johnny Sexton got the Lions off the mark with an early try. Whereas, Leigh Halfpenny converted all nine Lions tries.
The Lions: 15. Elliot Daly (Saracens/England), 14. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland), 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 12. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), 11. James Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 10. Finn Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland), 9. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales); 1. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland), 2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) (c), 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland), 5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland), 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 8. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England).
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 17. Andrew Porter (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby/England), 19. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers/England), 20. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), 21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England), 22. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), 23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England).
The British & Irish Lions v Western Force
Optus Stadium
Saturday 28th June, 2025, Kick-Off: 11:00 IST
