Tadhg Beirne to Lead British and Irish Lions Against AUNZ XV in Final Warm-up Match

Tadhg Beirne will captain a much-changed British and Irish Lions team to face an Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday (11am Irish time), with three other Irish players starting and Owen Farrell among the replacements.

The Munster man, who led the team to an unconvincing 21-10 over a dogged New South Wales Waratahs side last week, will partner James Ryan in an all-Irish second row, with Tour captain Maro Itoje afforded a rest in the final outing before taking on the Wallabies in the opening Test Saturday week.

Hugo Keenan will get a chance to put his hand up for Test selection after being given the number 15 jersey for the game at the Adelaide Oval.

The Leinster man was another who struggled to make an impression against the Waratahs, but with Blair Kinghorn limping off against the Brumbies, it affords the 29-year-old an opportunity to put pressure on Andy Farrell and the management team.

Mack Hansen is the other Irish starter, with Scotland's Duhan van der Merwe completing the back three.

Ben White and Fin Smith will link up at half-back with Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones in midfield.

Up front, Pierre Schoeman, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart will pack down against what promises to be the most difficult assignment of the tour to date.

The backrow sees English pair Henry Pollock and Ben Earl sandwiched between the sole Welsh starter in Jac Morgan.

Owen Farrell is among the replacements for Saturday's game.

There is a strong Irish feel to the replacements, with Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham offering back-up in the front row, with flanker Josh van der Flier also included. Scott Cummings, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell will cover the backline positions.

The 33-year-old Saracens out-half, who was drafted into the squad by his father and head coach Andy after Elliot Daly's arm injury against Queensland Reds, will also be hoping to force his way into Test plans.

Les Kiss and Ian Foster have named a formidable combined side to take on the Lions, with 17 internationals, including the full starting team, in the match-day squad.

While cohesion could be an issue, on paper there is real strength to the team who play for the first time since 1989.

Queensland Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Crusaders centre David Havili will co-captain the team.

The backline has serious potential, with Marika Korobeite on the wing and an all-All Black midfield of Ngauni Laumapi and the afore-mentioned Havili.

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 (capt); Henry Pollock, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Rónan 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 Korobeite; Tane Edmed, Folau Fakatava; Aidan Ross, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen; Angus Blyth, Lukan Salakai-Loto (capt); Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu, Hoskins Sotutu.

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu'a, George Dyer, Matt Philip, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Philips, Jock Campbell.