The British & Irish Lions today announced the team to play the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Four of the Lions team – Dan Lydiate, Geoff Parling, Richard Hibbard and Dan Cole – that beat Australia in the 1st Test on Saturday will start.
England and Leicester Tigers second row Geoff Parling will captain the side.
Parling’s club-mate Manusamoa Tuilagi makes his return, having not played since sustaining a shoulder injury in the Queensland Reds game. He is joined in the centre by England team-mate Brad Barritt.
Sean O’Brien returns to the No 7 jersey after two runs on the blindside, while fullback Rob Kearney plays his second match of the tour and Owen Farrell starts at fly-half.
Tour Manager Andy Irvine said: “We are obviously delighted to start the Test series against the Wallabies with a win but this game is very important to us in terms of keeping the momentum going. Those playing on Tuesday have a major part in delivering this and at the same time keeping the pressure on for Test match selection.”
Head Coach Warren Gatland said: “I am very pleased for Geoff. For him to be part of a winning Lions Test side is very special and he has shown throughout the tour that he is one of the many leaders we have in the squad so we are looking forward to seeing him in that captaincy role.
“It is also good to get Manu back on the pitch after a frustrating injury. This is a good chance for him and others to put their hands up.”
British & Irish Lions versus RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels, June 25, Melbourne
15. Rob Kearney (Leinster/Ireland)
14. Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
13. Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers/England)
12. Brad Barritt (Saracens/England)
11. Simon Zebo (Munster/Ireland)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England)
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Ireland)
1. Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
2. Richard Hibbard (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers/England)
4. Richie Gray (Scotland)
5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers/England, capt)
6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons/Wales)
7. Sean O’Brien (Leinster/Ireland)
8. Tangaki Taulupe Faletau (Dragons/Wales)
Replacements
16. Rory Best (Ulster/Ireland)
17. Makovina Vunipola (Saracens/England)
18. Matt Stevens (Saracens/England)
19. Ian Evans (Ospreys/Wales)
20. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys/Wales)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers/England)
22. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby/England)
23. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
Further Information:
Greg Thomas, Head of Media & Communications +61 452 249 031
Dave Barton, Media Manager +61 452 249 033
Christine Connolly, Communications Manager +61 452 249 032
