logo
Itoje returns as Lions make 14 changes for clash with Queensland Reds

Itoje returns as Lions make 14 changes for clash with Queensland Reds

Yahoo2 days ago
Queensland Reds v British and Irish Lions
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Date: Saturday, 5 June Kick-off: 11.00 BST
Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
Maro Itoje will return as captain in the British and Irish Lions team to face the Queensland Reds at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Englishman did not feature in the squad that beat the Western Force but he's back as the leader of Andy Farrell's much-changed squad.
Advertisement
There are 14 changes to the starting line-up from Perth, Finn Russell being the only man who has retained his place.
Ireland's Hugo Keenan and Jamison Gibson-Park will make their first appearance on tour at full-back and scrum-half. Gibson-Park is in for the luckless Tomos Williams who is now out of the squad through injury.
Scotland's Ben White is on his way to Brisbane from New Zealand, where Gregor Townsend's squad are based right now.
There will be a first tour start not just for the two Irishmen but also for Huw Jones who forms a new midfield partnership with Bundee Aki.
Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Will Stuart will also start for the first time in the front-row as will Ollie Chessum at lock and Jack Conan at No 8.
Advertisement
Ireland's James Ryan is set to make his Lions debut off the bench against the Reds.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Vision comes to light of sneaky Zak Butters act he copied from Nick Daicos
Vision comes to light of sneaky Zak Butters act he copied from Nick Daicos

Yahoo

time39 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Vision comes to light of sneaky Zak Butters act he copied from Nick Daicos

Nick Daicos has found a new admirer in the AFL after new footage emerged of Zak Butters copying a cheeky move of the Collingwood midfielder's in his side's win over Carlton. Blues fans were left frustrated after Thursday night's horror 50-point away loss to Port Adelaide with Michael Voss facing plenty of pressure to stop the form slump. And in the aftermath of the demolition, Butters spoke about a cheeky tactic he developed from his Collingwood rival. On Channel 7, it was revealed after the game that Butters had made a U-turn after looking like he was being substituted to remain on the field. The idea of this was to avoid his tag from Carlton. And Butters admitted he got the idea from watching Daicos lat year. "I watch a lot of vision during the week, I watch lot of footy. I prepare for everything...I actually got it off Nick Daicos. I saw him do it a couple of times last year." And vision has emerged of Butters pulling off the stunt. Butters ran off the field with his tag Alex Cincotta following him across the white line. However, Butters made a quick dash back on the field having not been subbed with Cincotta taking a seat on the bench. The move Zak Butters learnt from Nick Daicos 👀@cleary_mitch — 7AFL (@7AFL) July 1, 2025 This gave Butters an extra few minutes without being pressured to make his mark on the game. Only minutes later Butter took an easy mark in the centre of the field with no Carlton player picking him up. Reporter Mitch Cleary claimed Butters was 'running free' against Carlton in a move that could become more regular when players are being tagged. Against Carlton the 24-year-old midfielder had 30 disposals and 19 handballs in a stellar performance. Butters admitting he likes to learn from his rivals was welcomed by AFL fans with Daicos one of the favourites to take out the Brownlow Medal in 2025. Butters has been enjoying a strong season, but his side remain outside finals footy in 10th place. "Zak Butters, being tagged by Alex Cincotta, pretended to come off the ground, Cincotta was then taken off, but Butters did a u-turn and is now running free." - @cleary_mitch Zak Butters playing 4D chess ♟️ #AFLPowerBlues — 7AFL (@7AFL) June 26, 2025 Port Adelaide's thumping win took them four points above Carlton who now sit in 11th on the ladder with their finals hopes dangling by a thread. And Blues general manager of football Brad Lloyd claimed he is aware Voss and him are targets. Asked if he and Voss would be at the club next year, Lloyd replied: "I'm unsure of that. "We will just stick at it and keep going to work," he told reporters at Melbourne airport on Friday. It's for others to judge. We have been going at it for a little while now and we have had some good times and some down times like we are now." Voss' contract runs till the end of 2026, but faces pressure if his side doesn't make the top eight. Incoming chief executive Graham Wright is known for making changes and will take over from Brian Cook at the end of a season. In ugly scenes after the loss, the club's headquarters were tagged overnight with graffiti to "sack the board". Carlton president Rob Priestley has backed coach Voss to remain in charge at least until the end of the season, but captain Patrick Cripps has also weighed-in. Cripps said the noise was certainly growing louder at Carlton, but he was ready to find out who was willing to fight for the club. 'The thing I really try to focus on as well with the other leaders is making sure we're all on the same page but also trying to keep the energy high … as much as you can, you've got to try and block the external out and it can be loud,' Cripps said on the new vodcast On The Inside.

Australia's Emus advance with statement win over France
Australia's Emus advance with statement win over France

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Australia's Emus advance with statement win over France

Australia have made a statement in their bid to end a decades-long medal drought at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup with a dominant 71-63 win over France. Jacob Furphy and Roman Siulepa scored 19 points each for the Emus, who committed 20 turnovers but were in control on the boards in Switzerland. The lop-sided rebound count (51-31) included 18 offensive rebounds for Australia, with Siulepa (four) leading the charge. Big birds. Big victory. AUS 71 - 63 FRA📊 #WeAreBasketball | #GoEmus | @NextGenHoops — Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) July 1, 2025 Robbie McKinlay's team led 19-15 at the end of the first period and extended the margin to 17 points early in the last on their way to a commanding victory. A second straight win meant the Emus (2-1) finished second in Group D - dubbed the "Group of Death'' on FIBA's website - behind tournament favourites USA. It followed a thrilling double-overtime victory over Cameroon (101-96) and a first-up loss to USA (88-73). The Emus next face a knockout clash with the Dominican Republic in the round of 16 on Thursday (3.30am AEST) as they chase a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015. Eight-time champions USA were one of three teams to finish the group stage undefeated after a blistering shooting display in their 129-70 thrashing of Cameroon. Mikel Brown and Caleb Holt each hit five of USA's 19 three-pointers, which equalled the previous mark set by China against Croatia in 2013. Germany and Israel were also unbeaten in the group stage, with the former now able to avoid meeting USA until the final. Australia are aiming to emulate the Andrew Bogut-led 2003 Emus outfit, which claimed Under-19 World Cup gold behind the future No.1 NBA draft pick's MVP performance. That team, coached by Rob Beveridge, remains the only one from outside North America and Europe to win the Under-19 World Cup since its inception in 1979. It is also the only Australian men's team to win gold at a global FIBA tournament.

Panthers make move on speedster from rival club as back-up for Dylan Edwards
Panthers make move on speedster from rival club as back-up for Dylan Edwards

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Panthers make move on speedster from rival club as back-up for Dylan Edwards

The Penrith Panthers have reportedly made an inquiry about Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan, after St George Illawarra granted him permission to explore other options. Sloan is back in the Dragons' first-grade side this week, with coach Shane Flanagan forced to shuffle his back-line with Valentine Holmes on State of Origin duty and Nathan Lawson out with a fractured scapula. But Sloan has been on the outer with coach Flanagan, spending the fortnight prior in reserve-grade. The Dragons have reportedly granted Sloan permission to negotiate with rival clubs, despite being contracted until the end of 2026. Reports have now emerged that Ivan Cleary and the Panthers made an enquiry about Sloan, and they could view him as a back-up to Origin and Test fullback Dylan Edwards. Daine Laurie has been used at fullback whenever Edwards is missing, but is yet to re-sign past this season. Speaking on Channel 9 this week, leading reporter Danny Weidler said the Panthers had expressed an interest in Sloan. 'The first club I've heard linked to him, which is an interesting one, is I think the Panthers have made a subtle inquiry,' he said on '100% Footy'. 'I'm not certain exactly where he'd fit in. He's obviously not going to be the fullback, but he's got speed to burn on the wing and he's a player that might thrive in that system." The Panthers have a plethora of options in the outside backs, meaning Sloan might struggle to crack first-grade at Penrith. But there are plenty of games in which Edwards is absent due to State of Origin duty or injuries, and Sloan has shown he's a handy option at fullback. Super League clubs are also said to be interested in Sloan, while former NRL premiership winners Bryan Fletcher and Matty Johns recently floated the Melbourne Storm as a potential landing spot. The Storm have a history of prioritising speed on the flanks, with Fletcher and Johns in agreeance that Sloan is the kind of player who Craig Bellamy could work wonders with. "I can see Sloan being the next Foxx (Josh Addo-Carr) down in Melbourne," Fletcher said on SEN radio last month. "I don't know about the Will Warbrick head knock situation, but I think it's been three months he's now been out. I can see him turning into the Foxx down there (in Melbourne)." Johns added: "I can see that Fletch. One thing with Melbourne and their scout Paul Bunn is he just goes after speed. He goes 'you just find those wingers that can just sprint and then Craig (Bellamy) will put the discipline into them. So Sloan would be exactly that type of guy." RELATED: NRL world rallies around Broncos star after awful family development NRL considering major rule change after Broncos and Bulldogs dudded Warbrick hasn't played for months as he battles concussion issues, while Grant Anderson is moving to the Broncos in 2026. The Storm still have plenty of talented outside backs in the likes of Xavier Coates, Jack Howarth and Sua Fa'alogo, although Fa'alogo's future is far from certain. The 22-year-old has a handshake agreement with Storm officials that he can leave the club if fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen signs a long-term extension. Saw him playing against us in reserve grade last year in which he had a blinder. With our coaching, and with a champion club, he will thrive. It seems like he was bogged down at the Dragons for some reason. — Fleetwood_Cadillac (@BarryBumperbar) June 30, 2025 I'd take him — jordanjackelyse (@jordanjackelyse) June 30, 2025 i was thinking the same. stands to reason perhaps a better winger than laurie too. — Jennifer 🏆 🏆 🏆🏆🐾🐾 (@JenniferSh93445) June 30, 2025 If they can teach him defence, might work out as an astute buy — @ (@vella_vision) June 30, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store