AUSTRALIA BOSS JOE Schmidt has handed 22-year-old out-half Tom Lynagh his first start in Saturday’s opening clash with the Lions in Brisbane [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports].
Reds playmaker Lynagh, the son of legendary Wallabies out-half Michael, will earn his fourth cap and his first in the starting number 10 shirt against Andy Farrell’s Lions.
Meanwhile, Western Force blindside flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his Wallabies debut as the influential Rob Valetini misses out due to injury.
Heavyweight lock Will Skelton is another player missing for the Wallabies due to injury, meaning they have been shorn of two of their biggest, most powerful players for this opening Test.
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Langi Gleeson, who started against Fiji two weekends ago in Valetini’s absence, was also ruled out of this game with a dead leg, so Champion de Crespigny gets a big chance after his impressive Super Rugby season.
Schmidt said he expects both Valetini and Skelton to be back for the second Lions Test.
An injury to previous out-half incumbent Noah Lolesio opened the door for Lynagh, who has just recovered from a hand injury and has been preferred to the more experienced Ben Donaldson.
Scrum-half Jake Gordon returns from the injury that kept him out of Australia’s win over Fiji, partnering Lynagh in the halfbacks. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii continue in midfield, while there’s an unchanged back three of Max Jorgensen, Harry Potter, and Tom Wright.
Matt Faessler comes into the team at hooker, with Champion de Crespigny the only other fresh face in the pack. Number eight Harry Wilson continues as Wallabies captain despite speculation that Schmidt could name Gordon as his new skipper.
Australia (v Lions):
15. Tom Wright
14. Max Jorgensen
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
12. Len Ikitau
11. Harry Potter
10. Tom Lynagh
9. Jake Gordon
1. James Slipper
2. Matt Faessler
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Jeremy Williams
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson (captain)
Replacements:
16. Billy Pollard
17. Angus Bell
18. Tom Robertson
19. Tom Hooper
20. Carlo Tizzano
21. Tate McDermott
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Andrew Kellaway
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Skelton and Valetini both miss out for Wallabies against Lions
AUSTRALIA BOSS JOE Schmidt has handed 22-year-old out-half Tom Lynagh his first start in Saturday’s opening clash with the Lions in Brisbane [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports].
Reds playmaker Lynagh, the son of legendary Wallabies out-half Michael, will earn his fourth cap and his first in the starting number 10 shirt against Andy Farrell’s Lions.
Meanwhile, Western Force blindside flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his Wallabies debut as the influential Rob Valetini misses out due to injury.
Heavyweight lock Will Skelton is another player missing for the Wallabies due to injury, meaning they have been shorn of two of their biggest, most powerful players for this opening Test.
Langi Gleeson, who started against Fiji two weekends ago in Valetini’s absence, was also ruled out of this game with a dead leg, so Champion de Crespigny gets a big chance after his impressive Super Rugby season.
Schmidt said he expects both Valetini and Skelton to be back for the second Lions Test.
An injury to previous out-half incumbent Noah Lolesio opened the door for Lynagh, who has just recovered from a hand injury and has been preferred to the more experienced Ben Donaldson.
Scrum-half Jake Gordon returns from the injury that kept him out of Australia’s win over Fiji, partnering Lynagh in the halfbacks. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii continue in midfield, while there’s an unchanged back three of Max Jorgensen, Harry Potter, and Tom Wright.
Matt Faessler comes into the team at hooker, with Champion de Crespigny the only other fresh face in the pack. Number eight Harry Wilson continues as Wallabies captain despite speculation that Schmidt could name Gordon as his new skipper.
Australia (v Lions):
15. Tom Wright
14. Max Jorgensen
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
12. Len Ikitau
11. Harry Potter
10. Tom Lynagh
9. Jake Gordon
1. James Slipper
2. Matt Faessler
3. Allan Alaalatoa
4. Nick Frost
5. Jeremy Williams
6. Nick Champion de Crespigny
7. Fraser McReight
8. Harry Wilson (captain)
Replacements:
16. Billy Pollard
17. Angus Bell
18. Tom Robertson
19. Tom Hooper
20. Carlo Tizzano
21. Tate McDermott
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Andrew Kellaway
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe [New Zealand].
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big blows Joe Schmidt Lions Rob Valetini Rugby Team news Tom Lynagh Wallabies