Lions pick four England stars for first Australia showdown as Marcus Smith gets bench role

England will play Australia in the first Test with Tom Curry backed to do a job in the backrow as Andy Farrell relies on eight of his Ireland stars to get the job done

England’s Tom Curry won the battle for the No.7 shirt as Lions boss Andy Farrell confirmed his line-up for the first Test against Australia on Saturday in Brisbane.

Flanker Curry has edged out stiff competition from Wales’ Jac Morgan and Ireland’s Josh van der Flier to claim the berth and is one of four English starters alongside wing Tommy Freeman, prop Ellis Genge and skipper Maro Itoje.

That number is dwarfed the Irish contingent with eight players from Farrell’s national squad in the starting 15 including hooker Dan Sheehan, lock Joe McCarthy and flanker Tadhg Beirne. Scotland provide the midfield with fly-half Finn Russell teaming up with centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones whilst England have five players on the bench.

Marcus Smith is in line to win his first Lions Test cap, on his second tour, after edging ahead of Owen Farrell and Fin Smith to take a replacement spot alongside Ben Earl, Ollie Chessum, Will Stuart and Alex Mitchell.

The Lions have failed to hit their straps so far on this tour and boss Farrell is looking for a performance a step up from the displays against the Super Rugby teams.

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He said: “We are entering the business end of the tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date.”

The Wallabies are missing back row Rob Valetini, who has a calf injury, and former Saracens lock Will Skelton is out with same problem so Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are picked in the second row and debutant Nick Champion de Crespigny in at flanker. Tom Lynagh, son of Australian legend Michael, gets his first Test start at fly-half with Noah Lolesio out injured. Lynagh, just 22, will emulate his father who played against the Lions in 1989.

Starting centre Len Ikitau and replacement back row Tom Hooper are both joining Exeter Chiefs for next season and another bench man Andrew Kellaway used to play for Northampton.

Australia v British & Irish Lions teams

Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).

Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.

British & Irish Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (capt), Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Bundee Aki.