The British and Irish Lions have named Conor Murray to captain the team from the get-go on Wednesday when the Lions take on South Africa ‘A’ in Cape Town.
In other news, Warren Gatland has made 12 changes to his starting XV, with Chris Harris at the centre, Dan Biggar at 10, and Anthony Watson, who moves from wing to full-back, keeping their places from Saturday’s 71-31 win over the Sharks.
Stuart Hogg and Liam Williams have so far started in the full-back slot, while Josh Adams was used as an auxiliary 15 against the Sharks in the first of two matches on tour.
In the wings, Louis Rees-Zammit and Josh Adams will continue to look to add to the Lions’ two and eight tries so far, respectively, while Ireland’s Bundee Aki and Scotland’s Harris have been brought in at 12 and 13 in midfield, respectively.
Due to a hamstring injury, Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw remains absent from the tour. He was considered the team’s form centre and was expected to play in the Test match. It is now most people’s predicted Test pairing that Murray teams up with Wales’ Biggar at half-back, while Wales’ loosehead Wyn Jones, Wales’ hooker Ken Owens and England’s tighthead Kyle Sinckler complete the front row.
“We’re pleased to have arrived in Cape Town as we near the halfway stage of the Series,” Warren Gatland told Sky Sports on Monday.