No Welsh Players as Lions Announce Team to Face Australia

The British & Irish Lions have named their starting XV for Saturday’s first Test at Suncorp Stadium, signalling a bold and physical setup aimed at dominating the opening battle. Andy Farrell’s team head into the first Test as strong favourites.

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British & Irish Lions Starting XV

Backs:

15 Hugo Keenan (Ireland)

14 Tommy Freeman (England)

13 Huw Jones (Scotland)

12 Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)

11 James Lowe (Ireland)

10 Finn Russell (Scotland)

9 Jamison Gibson‑Park (Ireland)

Forwards:

1 Ellis Genge (England)

2 Dan Sheehan (Ireland)

3 Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

4 Maro Itoje (England, c)

5 Joe McCarthy (Ireland.

6 Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)

7 Tom Curry (England.

8 Jack Conan (Ireland)

Replacements:

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

Key Selection Notes

• Absence of Welsh representation: Notably, no Welsh players were selected for a Lions Test for the first time since the 19th century.
  
• Midfield synergy: Scotland’s Tuipulotu and Jones form an all‑Scottish centre axis to offset Garry Ringrose’s injury absence.
  
• Back row emphasis: England’s Curry, Ireland’s Beirne, and Conan form an aggressive, physical trio geared to contest the breakdown.