{"id":54831,"date":"2025-07-07T11:05:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T11:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/?p=54831"},"modified":"2025-07-07T11:05:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T11:05:11","slug":"lions-vs-brumbies-maro-itoje-captain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportscasting.com\/uk\/news\/lions-vs-brumbies-maro-itoje-captain\/","title":{"rendered":"Andy Farrell Announces Team For British & Irish Lions Vs Brumbies As Test Squad Takes Shape"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maro Itoje returns to captain the Lions Vs Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday, with many believing Andy Farrell is beginning to finalise his test team.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Barring a couple of selection choices, this Lions team looked a lot like what many expect the first test team to be on 19 July.<\/p>\n

A front row of Genge, Sheehan and Furlong is backed up by skipper Itoje and Ireland’s Joe McCarthy.<\/p>\n

The versatile Ollie Chessume moves to six, with Tom Curry and Jack Conan completing the pack.<\/p>\n

Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell are the halfbacks, continuing their impressive partnership from last week’s victory over the Queensland Reds.<\/p>\n

Irish duo Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose start in midfield. This was always likely, however, with their Scottish counterparts Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu playing at the weekend.<\/p>\n

And in the back three, Blair Kinghorn gets a first start in his preferred fullback position. James Lowe and Tommy Freeman are on the wings.<\/p>\n

The bench sees Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter and Will Stuart as the replacement front row.<\/p>\n

Josh van der Flier and a fit-again Henry Pollock are also poised to make an impact after the latter missed Wednesday’s game against the Waratahs with a minor calf problem.<\/p>\n

With the Lions opting for a 5-3 split, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith are joined by Ireland’s Mack Hansen as the back replacements.<\/p>\n

Owen Farrell Has To Wait For Lions Return<\/h2>\n

But a notable omission from the squad is that of Owen Farrell.<\/p>\n

The now four-time tourist Farrell was called up to the Lions squad after Elliot Daly’s injury<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, Farrell’s inclusion has divided fan opinion. The 33-year-old has not played international rugby in almost two years since taking a break from England duty after the 2023 World Cup.<\/p>\n

But having announced a Saracens return<\/strong><\/a> after a year in France with Racing 92, he is thought to be fit and firing once again.<\/p>\n

British And Irish Lions Vs Brumbies<\/h2>\n

British and Irish Lions:<\/strong> Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan<\/p>\n

Replacements:<\/strong> Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen<\/p>\n

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Our team to face the Brumbies in Canberra! \ud83e\udd81#Lions2025<\/a><\/p>\n

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n