Lions Team: Elliot Daly, Liam Williams and Alun Wyn Jones start in first All Blacks Test
WARREN GATLAND has announced his Lions team for Saturday’s first Test against the All Blacks.
The Lions team will be announced at 8pm
Peter O’Mahony will captain the Lions for their first Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Elliot Daly starts on the wing with George North not in the squad.
Liam Williams is given the full-back duties, sending Leigh Halfpenny to the bench.
Anthony Watson also gets the nod, with Owen Farrell at 10 and Conor Murray at 9.
Alun Wyn Jones plays ahead of Maro Itoje in the pack, with Jamie George playing as hooker.
Sean O’Brien partners flanker Mahoney, meaning Sam Warburton drops to the bench.
Discussing the selection, Gatland said: “We have picked a side based on form with a lot of players putting their hands up, especially from the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks games, and it was a lively selection meeting.
“The win against the Chiefs was also extremely important for the squad and some players played themselves into the side.
“We have continuously been strong at set piece and have been good defensively in the last two or three outings. But to beat the All Blacks you have to be courageous and play some rugby – you have to score tries and I think we have picked a team capable of doing that.”
On Daly’s inclusion the head coach added: “Elliot has been very accurate in the way he has played and we saw some excellent attacking play from Liam on Tuesday night. We are excited about the 15 that take the field but also the very strong and experienced bench players who will have an impact.”
Lions team
15. Liam Williams – Scarlets, Wales, #833
14. Anthony Watson – Bath Rugby, England, #816
13. Jonathan Davies – Scarlets, Wales, #778
12. Ben Te’o – Worcester Warriors, England, #815
11. Elliot Daly – Wasps, England, #822
10. Owen Farrell – Saracens, England, #780
9. Conor Murray – Munster, Ireland, #790
1. Mako Vunipola – Saracens, England, #787
2. Jamie George – Saracens, England, #819
3. Tadhg Furlong – Leinster, Ireland, #818
4. Alun Wyn Jones – Ospreys, Wales, #761
5. George Kruis – Saracens, England, #817
6. Peter O’Mahony (capt) – Munster, Ireland, #832
7. Sean O’Brien – Leinster, Ireland, #796
8. Taulupe Faletau – Bath Rugby, Wales, #779
Replacements
16. Ken Owens – Scarlets, Wales, #829
17. Jack McGrath – Leinster, Ireland, #827
18. Kyle Sinckler – Harlequins, England, #814
19. Maro Itoje – Saracens, England, #825
20. Sam Warburton – Cardiff Blues, Wales, #800
21. Rhys Webb – Ospreys, Wales, #820
22. Johnny Sexton – Leinster, Ireland, #791
23. Leigh Halfpenny – Toulon, Wales, #775
Elliot Daly gets a start for the Lions
New Zealand announced their team earlier today, with captain Kieran Read returning to the side after two moths out.
Ardie Savea moves to the bench to make way for the No8, while Rieko Ioane makes his first start in place of Julian Savea on the left wing.
"This was a really tough team to pick because there were a number of players in great form vying for positions," said All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen.
Alun Wyn Jones starts ahead of Maro Itoje
All Blacks team
1. Joe Moody
2. Codie Taylor
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read - Captain
9. Aaron Smith
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Rieko Ioane
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Ryan Crotty
14. Israel Dagg
15. Ben Smith
Replacements:
16. Nathan Harris
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Scott Barrett
20. Ardie Savea
21. TJ Perenara
22. Aaron Cruden / Lima Sopoaga
23. Anton Lienert-Brown