Lions v AUNZ Invitational XV Live score updates and teams
The likes of Shannon Frizzell, Ngani Laumape, David Havili and Marika Koroibete all start in a side stacked with talent, even if it hasn't played together before.
The Lions starting side will see stars like Morgan, Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu and Henry Pollock all trying to stake realistic claims for Test spots.
The game kicks off at 11am and is only on Sky Sports. You can follow it live with our updates below.
Lions: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Fin Smith, Ben White, Pierre Schoeman, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne (c), Henry Pollock, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Finlay Bealham, Scott Cummings, Josh van der Flier, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell.
AUNZ XV: Shaun Stevenson, AJ Lam, Ngani Laumape, David Havili, Marika Koroibete, Tane Edmed, Folau Fakatava, Aidan Ross, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (c), Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu, Hoskins Sotutu.
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, George Dyer, Matt Philip, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Jock Campbell.
The reality is Andy Farrell will have the majority of his first Test team inked in but there are some places up for grabs.
One area is the backrow and an outstanding performance from Jac Morgan today could see the Wales star nail down a Test place.
There is so much depth in the backrow with the likes of Tom Curry, Josh van der Flier and Morgan fighting for a place.
It looks as if the Lions will go for a big athletic six with the lineout in mind with Ollie Chessum favourite to start.
But the Lions have had problems at the breakdown and Morgan has arguably been the form openside on tour.
Join us for live upates of the British & Irish Lions' final warm-up game against the AUNZ XV in Adelaide
There is just one week until the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane which means this is the final chance for a number of players to force their way into the team.
Wales star Jac Morgan has been selected to start and could seal a starting spot with another standout performance today.
Kick-off is at 11am
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Soulless British and Irish Lions now just a marketing exercise
Whatever happens in the looming Test series against the Wallabies, this British and Irish Lions has been a massive success. Well, commercially anyway. A record number of lucrative tour packages were snapped up by the travelling supporters ahead of this tour. The 'Red Army' has never had so many recruits. Plenty of big-money sponsors, including commercial airlines and insurance giants, have been on board for quite some time. Indeed, the 'official' title of this campaign is the Qatar Airways Lions Men's Tour to Australia 2025. The three Tests at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the MCG in Melbourne and Accor Stadium in Sydney have long been sold out. Those tickets came at a premium, too. A record number of lucrative tour packages were snapped up by the travelling supporters ahead of this tour. Pic:The Lions is big money, for the hosts and the four unions which provide the coaches, players and support staff. All the people in the boardroom will be delighted with how this Lions series played out. Has it gone too far? The misty-eyed days of the amateur era are long past, and rugby is now a business. Funding a fully professional rugby tour spanning the best part of six weeks isn't cheap either. That's the reality of the modern game. But is it just us, or does the whole Lions concept now feel a tad corporate? Whatever happens in the looming Test series against the Wallabies, this British and Irish Lions has been a massive success. Well, commercially anyway. Pic:We keep hearing about how 'epic' these tours are and how it is the 'pinnacle' for every coach and player to be a part of them, how these tours are 'unmissable' for the fans. Really? This series hasn't exactly stirred the soul in recent weeks. Maybe it's the tourists struggling to hit top gear, the mediocre midweek opposition or the suspicion that the Wallabies – despite having Joe Schmidt on board – are no great shakes at present, but this whole series has felt a bit flat. As long as the Lions remain profitable, it is here to stay. As long as the Lions remain profitable, it is here to stay. Pic: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images You would wonder how the players genuinely feel about the whole concept, however. Being a pro is a bit of a grind these days. Between club and country commitments, the modern player doesn't get much of a breather. It's a big reason why the Lions tours are now so condensed. Gone are the days when the visitors would spend a proper stint in the country they're touring, taking in plenty of games against local opposition, mixing with the locals, making memories and getting a real sense of the place. The entire Lions squad sound a bit weary at the moment, given their exhaustive travel schedule, taking in stops in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra and Adelaide in the space of 15 days. Judging from the dispatches from Australia in recent days, Farrell, his coaches and the players all sound a bit weary. And it's showing on the pitch. Yesterday was better, but it was against a thrown-together side. Yes, the Lions have never been more lucrative, but they have sold their souls in the process. The money is flying in, but the sense of wonder drained away long ago.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Paul O'Connell hails Irish mentality after Portugal drubbing
Ireland's interim head coach, Paul O'Connell, confessed he felt sympathy for Portugal following his team's record-shattering 106-7 victory in Lisbon. Despite missing 17 players due to British and Irish Lions tour commitments, O'Connell's squad scored 16 tries in a lopsided thrashing, surpassing their previous largest win when they netted 13 tries in an 83-3 defeat of the United States in 2000. Speaking to Virgin Sports, O'Connell said: "I feel sorry for Portugal, but we were very clinical and took our chances. 'It is a unique summer tour given the Lions tour is on at the same time, but I am very happy with how our squad applied themselves. 'It is great to get some guys capped and scoring tries and training in an international environment.' Connacht pair Hugh Gavin and Shayne Bolton went over twice apiece on their debuts and there was also a brace each for club team-mate and flanker Cian Prendergast and Leinster wing Tommy O'Brien. With fly-half Jack Crowley landing 12 of his 15 conversion attempts – Ireland were also awarded a penalty try – the tourists also racked up 100 points for the first time. Captain Craig Casey, who went over for Ireland's ninth try early in the second half, told Virgin Sports: 'Our major takeaway from today is our mentality. We were very professional and played our game to get the result. 'It's a shame the stadium wasn't full, but seeing the amount of Irish fans here was special to get the result for them.' Ireland had 11 different try-scorers in addition to the penalty try, with centre Stuart McCloskey, forwards Thomas Clarkson and Alex Kendellen and replacements Calvin Nash, Ciaran Frawley and Ben Murphy also touching down. Ireland next face New Zealand in Chicago in a one-off Test on November 1.
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Another Irish International called up by Lions ahead of opening Test match
The British and Irish Lions have thrown a curveball by summoning third choice Leinster tighthead prop Tom Clarkson for the Test series against Australia. Clarkson, who boasts eight Ireland caps, has been called Down Under to "provide additional front row cover", with the Lions maintaining that this move is not due to any injury worries over the three tightheads already in the squad. Tadhg Furlong, Will Stewart and Finlay Bealham are vying for the number three jersey for the series opener against the Wallabies in Brisbane on 19 July. The Lions have four matches left on tour – three Tests and a clash with a Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday week. Clarkson, 25, started Leinster's URC final win over the Bulls and was part of Ireland's recent tour victories over Georgia and Portugal. It lifts the number of Leinster players in Andy Farrell's squad to 14 – the same amount supplied by England – and swells the Ireland contingent to 18.
