British and Irish Lions vs Australia: First Test in Brisbane Underway

The British and Irish Lions are set to face Australia in the first test of their tour. The teams have been named, with Australia featuring T Wright, M Jorgensen, JA Suaalii, and H Potter, while the Lions will be led by captain M Itoje and feature H Keenan, T Freeman, H Jones, and J Lowe. Kickoff is at 11am Irish time.

Title: British and Irish Lions vs. Australia: A Strategic Lineup Ahead of the First Test

The British and Irish Lions are set to face Australia in the first test of their tour, with a strategic lineup that reflects both experience and form. The match, set for Saturday, July 19 at 11:00 BST at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, promises to be a thrilling encounter between two formidable sides.

Lions' Lineup and Strategy

The Lions' lineup is notable for its Scottish trio at fly-half and centre, with Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, and Huw Jones starting for Andy Farrell's team. This is the first time the Lions have fielded an all-Scottish fly-half and centre trio in history. The Welsh hope, Jac Morgan, has missed out on the squad, which has been a disappointment for those who have followed his impressive performances on tour [1].

The back row has been a hotly-contested selection battle, with Tom Curry and Sione Tuipulotu securing their spots over Morgan and Josh van der Flier. Curry, who has won the number seven jersey, is expected to provide the engine for the Lions' Test match football, while Tuipulotu will start at outside-centre. The experienced Tadhg Beirne has been selected at blindside flanker, with Jack Conan at number eight [2].

The front row is led by Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong, with Joe McCarthy and captain Maro Itoje forming the lock pair. The half-backs are Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park, while the backline features Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, and James Lowe.

Australia's Lineup and Injuries

Australia's lineup includes T Wright, M Jorgensen, JA Suaalii, and H Potter. The Wallabies have suffered a significant blow with the injuries of Rob Valetini and Will Skelton, who are both ruled out for the first test. Valetini, the Australia Player of the Year, is in a race against time to make the second test, while Skelton's absence is a significant loss for the Wallabies [3].

Market Implications

The outcome of this test series could have significant market implications for both rugby union and the broader sports industry. The Lions are considered favorites to win the series, given their recent form and the depth of their squad. However, Australia's resilience and the return of key players in future matches could provide a challenge to the Lions' dominance.

The Lions' strategic lineup, with a focus on experience and form, suggests a well-thought-out approach to the series. The Wallabies, despite their injuries, are not to be underestimated and will be looking to make a strong comeback in the subsequent tests.

References

[1] https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cx2lj3zngj5o
[2] https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/16057/13397755/british-and-irish-lions-tom-curry-sione-tuipulotu-start-first-test-vs-australia-as-owen-farrell-henry-pollock-miss-out-on-squad
[3] https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/16057/13397755/british-and-irish-lions-tom-curry-sione-tuipulotu-start-first-test-vs-australia-as-owen-farrell-henry-pollock-miss-out-on-squad