Garry Ringrose Returns for British and Irish Lions

Garry Ringrose is back in contention for a place in the British and Irish Lions squad for Saturday's second Test with Australia, after being named on the bench for Tuesday’s final mid-week fixture in Melbourne. Ringrose, who missed the last two tour games with concussion, has come through the return to play protocols and will see gametime as a replacement against the First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

Blair Kinghorn has also been passed fit following his knee injury and starts at full-back, but there is no place for Mack Hansen, who is still dealing with a foot injury. Owen Farrell will captain the side from inside centre where he teams up with Leinster and Ireland’s Jamie Osborne, who is one of seven recent call-ups in line to feature.

Thomas Clarkson is set for his Lions debut off the bench, while England’s Jamie George and Scotland’s Darcy Graham start, with Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland and Gregor Brown also in the matchday squad. Osborne is one of four Irish players in the starting side, with Finlay Bealham, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier also included.

Bealham is joined by George and Pierre Schoeman in the front row, with Ryan and Scott Cummings supporting in the second row. Van der Flier is named at openside flanker, with Wales’ Jac Morgan at blindside, and Henry Pollock packing down between them, all three still looking to break into the Test squad.

Ben While and Fin Smith are teamed up in the half-backs, with Farrell and Osborne outside them. Kinghorn makes his return at full-back as he looks to put pressure on Hugo Keenan in the Test team, with Graham and Duhan van der Merwe on the wings.

The flurry of call-ups in the last fortnight means just three of last week's Test squad have had to double up in Melbourne tomorrow, with England trio Ben Earl, Marcus Smith and Alex Mitchell named on the bench. Meanwhile, Kurtley Beale will get his chance to face the Lions on a second tour after being named captain of the First Nations & Pasifika XV team for Tuesday's clash in Melbourne.

The 95-cap out-half, who famously slipped while taking a potentially match-winning penalty in the first test against the Lions in 2013, was robbed of the chance of facing the tourists for Western Force last month by a hamstring injury. Beale is one of six indigenous players in the line-up with the rest of the matchday squad made up of players with Pacific islands heritage.

Tongan-born prop Taniela Tupou and Fijian-born winger Filipo Daugunu were released from the Wallabies squad for the match and will have a chance to show coach Joe Schmidt that they should be in the reckoning for the second and third tests.

Additional reporting: Reuters

First Nations and Pasifika XV: Andy Muirhead; Triston Reilly, Lalakai Foketi, David Feliuai, Filipo Daugunu; Kurtley Beale, Kalani Thomas; Lington Ieli, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou; Darcy Swain, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; Seru Uru, Charlie Gamble, Tuaina Taii Tualima

Replacements: Richie Asiata, Marley Pearce, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Rob Leota, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Jarrah McLeod

British and Irish Lions: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Jamie Osborne, Owen Farrell, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George, Finlay Bealham; James Ryan, Scott Cummings; Jac Morgan, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Thomas Clarkson, Gregor Brown, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose

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