The British & Irish Lions will face Western Force in their opening match of the Australia tour, featuring eight Irish players in the starting lineup, including debut captain Dan Sheehan. Also debuting are Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy, and Josh van der Flier. Despite some key injuries keeping Jamison Gibson-Park and James Ryan out, the mixture of youth and experience includes 20-year-old Henry Pollock at number eight. Coach Andy Farrell emphasizes the team's readiness for competition against a formidable Force lineup, which includes six Wallaby squad members following a late injury mishap.
We have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time zone changes have been managed really well, so we are good to go, coach Andy Farrell said.
Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family so congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut.
The opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best.
The Force, meanwhile will be fielding six Wallaby squad members after Ben Donaldson was called up as a late replacement for Kurtley Beale, who suffered a hamstring injury in training earlier this week.
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