The Lions face the ACT Brumbies on Tuesday at 10:40 am (GMT) in their last warm up game before the test series against Australia begins. The Lions have wrung the changes from Saturday with key test players rested for Saturday, Rob Kearney has his first start of the tour along with England players Brad Barritt, Billy Twelvetrees and Christian Wade. Rory Best captains a side which also welcomes Wales legend and 4 time capped Lion Shane Williams onto the wing to cover for an injury ravaged squad who have injury concerns over Jamie Roberts, Manu Tuilagi and Tommy Bowe for Saturday's first test, with North and Bowe almost certainly out. Upfront the tourists look much stronger with a backrow of Sean O'Brien, Toby Faletau and Justin Tipuric the Lions will look to dominate the break down with some members of the forwards still looking to catapult themselves into the test team.
The Brumbies line up, like all of the Lions previous opponents, with a severely weakened team. 4 new caps are in the 23 with captain David Pocock still side lined due to injury. Whilst it is not the Brumbies fault, the weakened team is another example of a controversy which has led to Lions needing training sessions tougher than their actual warm up games. Whilst many of the Lions will not line up on Saturday the tour party have been left somewhat embittered by the actions of the Australian provinces.
Key Men
Lions
Rob Kearney and Stuart Hogg have key roles in the back line having to bring together a team where three of the players have only had two days in camp. Kearney will look to push for test places later in the tour but must do his best to remain calm around the undoubted confusion that will surround him. Upfront Justin Tipuric will look to have a big game as another attacking option as well as stealing ball, Sean O'Brien is another who with a big performance may be able to push himself into the test squad with his ability to play all three positions in the back row.
Brumbies
Despite missing a number of first team starters the Brumbies will still have real danger men in the likes of full back Jesse Mogg and winger Henry Speight. If the Lions kick poorly this dangerous duo have the skill and guile to counter attack with Mogg the owner of a cultured left boot capable of pinning the inexperienced Lions into corners. Wade and Williams will have a lot on their hands with Speight, a top class finisher weighing in at 97kg he has been one of Super Rugby's top performers and many were surprised to see him omitted from the Wallaby squad. Despite this attacking prowess, the Brumbies lack power up front, missing hooker Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Ben Alexander and inspiration captain Ben Mowem, expect the Lions to dominate a weak scrum and inexperienced lineout.
Prediction
Whilst having a makeshift backline, the Lions have more power in the forwards than the Brumbies will be able to deal with. Expect to see a dominant set piece and driving maul with the likes of Wade and Williams able to finish well. The Brumbies are strong in the backs and are likely to grab a few tries, but with such a weakened team there is a sense of dissapointment in seeing their team which at full strength could push this Lions and give them a real test
Lions by 15-20
Betting - Paddy Power - Brumbies 7/2 Lions 1/5
Teams
British & Irish Lions: 15. Rob Kearney, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stuart Hogg, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Ryan Grant, 2 Rory Best (C), 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Ian
Evans, 5 Richie Gray, 6 Sean O’Brien, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Toby Faletau
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Geoff Parling, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Simon Zebo
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Andrew Smith, 11 Clyde Rathbone, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Ian Prior; 1 Ruan Smith, 2 Siliva Siliva , 3 Scott Sio, 4 Leon Power, 5 Sam Carter, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Colby Faingaa, 8 Peter Kimlin (c)
Replacements:16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Jean-Pierre Smith, 18 Chris Cocca, 19 Etienne Oosthuizen, 20 Jordan Smiler, 21 Mark Swanepoel, 22 Robbie Coleman, 23 Zack Holmes
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