Munster’s Tadhg Beirne starts for The Lions for clash with the Sharks

The British & Irish Lions Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has named his team to play Cell C Sharks for this Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria (kick off 5pm BST).

Munster’s Tadhg Beirne and Conor Murray are both in the matchday 23 with Beirne starting and Murray among the replacements.

Jamie George (Saracens, England) is named captain of a starting XV which has 13 changes to the team that played the same opposition earlier this week, with only Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) and Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) retained.

The game against the Durban-based Sharks replaces the scheduled Tour match against the Bulls and is the third in an eight-game Series culminating in the three Tests against World Champions, the Springboks.

🦁 @longdogbeirne starts for @lionsofficial in Saturday's match with The Sharks while Conor Murray has been named among the replacements (5pm).

For full team news ⤵️#LionsRugby #SUAF 🔴

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) July 9, 2021

This will be the second time the Lions will have played the Sharks in the Castle Lager Lions Series, having already beaten them 7-54 on Wednesday night at Emirates Airline Park.

“It’s obviously been a slightly turbulent week, but we remain determined to keep rolling with the punches,” said Gatland.

“In many ways, the challenges we’ve faced this week have strengthened our resolve to do everything we can to overcome the challenges created by covid.

“The feeling in the camp on Wednesday night was just to give it a crack – I was really proud by how everyone reacted, particularly the match day squad who would have never prepared for a game like that before.

“Saturday is another opportunity to see how the boys go and for us as coaches to try out a few more combinations ahead of the Test series.

“I have long been an admirer of Jamie’s leadership skills, so I am delighted to name him skipper.

“We want to pass on thanks to the Sharks boys for fronting up and going again on Saturday. The spirit of rugby and a great chance for them to have another shot at us.”

CELL C SHARKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833

14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816

13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822

12. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844

11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841

10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821

9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) #850

1. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840

2. Jamie George – captain (Saracens, England) #819

3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825

5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England) #845

6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838

7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) #847

8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839

Replacements:

16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829

17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842

18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814

19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826

20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849

21. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853

22. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790

23. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) #835

Saturday 10 July 2021

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Kick-off: 5pm (BST)