Itoje Returns: Lions vs Reds Team News & Changes
- Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Date: Saturday, 5 June Kick-off: 11.00 BST
- Maro Itoje will return as captain in the British and Irish Lions team to face the Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
- The Englishman did not feature in the squad that beat the Western Force but he's back as the leader of Andy Farrell's much-changed squad.
Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Date: Saturday, 5 June Kick-off: 11.00 BST
Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
Maro Itoje will return as captain in the British and Irish Lions team to face the Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Englishman did not feature in the squad that beat the Western Force but he’s back as the leader of Andy Farrell’s much-changed squad.
There are 14 changes to the starting line-up from Perth, Finn Russell being the only man who has retained his place.
Ireland’s Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park will make their first appearance on tour at full-back and scrum-half. Gibson-Park is in for the luckless Tomos Williams who is now out of the squad through injury.
Scotland’s Ben White is on his way to Brisbane from New Zealand, where Gregor Townsend’s squad are based right now.
There will be a first tour start not just for the two Irishmen but also for Huw Jones who forms a new midfield partnership with Bundee Aki.
Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Will Stuart will also start for the first time in the front-row as will Ollie Chessum at lock and Jack Conan at No 8.
Ireland’s James Ryan is set to make his Lions debut off the bench against the Reds.