British & Irish Lions first Test team named: All-Scottish axis for first Test v Australia, Owen Farrell & Henry Pollock omitted, Marcus Smith on bench

The British & Irish Lions 23 for the first Test against Australia has been named, as head coach Andy Farrell found no place for either son Owen, nor young tyro Henry Pollock. Saturday's clash in Brisbane is hugely anticipated, and the Lions will line up with a side that sees an all-Scottish backline axis, with Finn Russell accompanied by a centre pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones.

Andy Farrell has named his British & Irish Lions team for the first Test with Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, featuring an all-Scottish axis at 10, 12 and 13, as fly-half Finn Russell sees his compatriots Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones line up outside him in the centres.

With Jac Morgan absent from the 23, there is no Welsh representative, and nor is there a place for Owen Farrell, or the hitherto impressive Henry Pollock.

Maro Itoje captains the side, with Tadhg Beirne pipping Ollie Chessum to wear the No. 6 shirt.

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Marcus Smith features on the bench, while Ireland provide 11 of the matchday squad.

Garry Ringrose was ruled out with concussion, while injury concerns Mack Hansen and Blair Kinghorn also miss out.

British & Irish Lions team for first Test

1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Maro Itoje (c)
5. Joe McCarthy
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Tom Curry
8. Jack Conan

9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Finn Russell
11. James Lowe
12. Sione Tuipulotu
13. Huw Jones
14. Tommy Freeman
15. Hugo Keenan

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Bundee Aki

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Commenting on his selection, Farrell said: "We are entering the business end of the Tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date.

"We know how motivated the Wallabies will be and we know they are a well-organised and dangerous side.

"It is a great occasion and a proud moment for Maro Itoje, who will captain the Test side, but also for those players who get the opportunity to represent the group on Saturday night.

"We have seen a flood of Lions supporters on the streets of Brisbane this week and we are looking forward to seeing a Sea of Red in the stands of the Suncorp Stadium cheering on the team."

Farrell later said he was "gutted" to leave out the likes of Morgan and Pollock.

After the Covid-affected 2021 series in South Africa, the first Test of the 2025 edition in Brisbane has felt a long time coming.

Huge expectation surrounds both the touring and home sides, and there are set to be fierce battles all over the field when the action kicks off at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday morning, UK time.

The Lions have not won a Test series since their last tour of Australia in 2013, while Joe Schmidt's Wallabies are constructing a new era after the disappointment of their World Cup group-stage exit in 2023.

Their Autumn Nations Series campaign late last year introduced the likes of Joseph Suaalii to the world, and he will be among the stars looking to douse the Lions' fire in the sides' first meeting.

• Farrell 'gutted' for Pollock and Morgan as he says son Owen was 'in contention'

Superb Sua'ali'i offload tees up Wright for Australia's first try

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wallabies name their side

Meanwhile, Schmidt has also named his Australia team for the first Test.

A notable feature of the line-up is Tom Lynagh, son of Michael, featuring at fly-half following the enforced absence of Noah Lolesio.

The side is skippered by No. 8 Harry Wilson.

Wallabies 23

1. James Slipper
2. Matt Faessler
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Jeremy Williams
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny
7. Fraser Mcreight
8. Harry Wilson (c)

9. Jake Gordon
10. Tom Lynagh
11. Harry Potter
12. Len Ikitau
13. Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii
14. Max Jorgensen
15. Tom Wright

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway

Lions 2025 schedule

Date	Fixture	Location	Time (UK)
Sat 19 July	Wallabies v Lions	Brisbane	11am
Tue 22 July	First Nations & Pasifika XV v The Lions	Melbourne	11am
Sat 26 July	Wallabies v Lions	Melbourne	11am
Sat 2 Aug	Wallabies v Lions	Sydney	11am

Watch and stream the Gallagher Premiership, Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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