The Lions Tour in the UK and Ireland is by no means a quiet business.
It’s only been two weeks since the Lions walked around Dublin, waiting for kick-off to the tour. There’s already so much going on.
There was a defeat – they lost Argentina’s opening match 28-24 – and then there was a blown victory. The injury was already a concern. Tomos Williams and Elliot Daly ended the tour prematurely, with Owen Farrell’s Funrier face added to the team.
However, the action is just beginning, and there’s another tour game against Waratah in New South Wales this weekend.
This is everything you need to know.
When is the game?
when: Saturday, July 5th, 8pm (Wednesday, 11am BST)
where: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match Official: Paul Williams
How to see
The match will be shown live at Sky Sports in the UK and Stan Sports in Australia. For radio, Talksport will provide live comments, while BBC Radio Weles will provide commentary on Welsh.
You can also follow ESPN’s live blogs and follow the extensive news and feature coverage.
Lineup
Finn Smith starts off in the fly half, with tour skipper Malo Itoge and fellow Irishman Dan Sheehan continuing his leadout, followed by Ireland’s Rock Tado Bailun.
Owen Farrell will not be available this weekend, but will join the team to replace Elliot Daly, who was ruled out by a broken forearm from the rest of the Australian tour.
When asked at a press conference if Farrell was fit enough to play for the Lions in the Test against Australia, his father Andy Farrell also said:
“I know that guys are in close contact with him and others about it and he’s been training in total boredom for a while now. He should clearly be proud of himself, that’s what we do here.
“If he doesn’t have the chance (playing the test), what’s the point? Everyone needs to compete. That’s what everyone in the group wants. But with that experience (he) brings you the support you need to the group.
Taniela Tupou and Andrew Kellaway are the starting headlines for Streit’s Waratah, who are likely the latest victims of the rapidly improving lion.
The Wallabies duo has five more players with testing experience, two of whom, Tane Edmed and Darby Lancaster, boast a lonely international start.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar otherwise handed the younger half the opportunity to Teddy Wilson and Jack Bowen to play tourists.
Rockmat Philip has just returned from two seasons in Japan recently, making his Warata debut from the bench.
But with the duo released earlier this week from Wallabies Camp, there’s Tupou and Kellaway, who will feel they have a point to prove.
Tupou’s lack of Super Rugby season has taken a spot on the Wallabies bench for two weeks for his first test with the Brisbane Lions, with Keraway appearing to be behind Harry Potter, Filippo Daugnu, and now Dylan Pietchu is also in the outdoors.
– Sam Blues: Difficulty Guide to All Lions Tour Games
– Brittany Mitchell: Ito’s performance should inform Australians
– James Regan: What I’ve learned from the latest Lions blowouts
– Full fixture list for Australian Lions Tour
– Everything you need to know about Summer Lions Tour
– Complete 38-person Lions Team