Andy Farrell names British & Irish Lions team for the first Test against the Wallabies

Andy Farrell has named his team to take on the Wallabies in the First Test of the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Series in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Saracens and England captain Maro Itoje will lead the side and is partnered at lock by Leinster Rugby and Ireland second row Joe McCarthy.

In the front row, Bristol Bears and England’s Ellis Genge teams up with Leinster and Ireland pair Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.

The backrow sees Leinster and Ireland’s Jack Conan at No.8, Munster Rugby and Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne at blindside and Sale Sharks and England’s Tom Curry at openside.

Leinster and Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park and Bath Rugby and Scotland’s Finn Russell are named as the half-back pairing.

The Glasgow Warriors and Scotland midfield pair of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones line out in the centres. And the Leinster and Ireland duo of Hugo Keenan and James Lowe are joined in the backfield by Northampton Saints and England flyer Tommy Freeman.

Lions Head Coach Andy 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.”

The game kicks off at 11.00am BST/ IST and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland as well as on talkSPORT.

View all broadcasters of the Lions Test matches

In 2013, the Lions narrowly beat the Wallabies 23-21 and survived a last minute penalty attempt from Kurtley Beale to secure the victory.