Andy Farrell has named his team to face the First Nations and Pasifika XV in Melbourne on Tuesday
Wales captain Jac Morgan will start on the blindside alongside Ireland back-row Josh van der Flier as the British and Irish Lions named their final midweek team of the 2025 tour of Australia.
Both Morgan and van der Flier were overlooked for the first Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane, with Tom Curry favoured to start at Suncorp. The England back-row produced a remarkable performance in the 27-19 win to move the Lions ahead in the series, with his back-row rivals now playing catch-up.
Morgan and van der Flier, as well as No. 8 Henry Pollock, will both be targeting Test spots for Saturday’s second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as will many of Farrell’s final midweek selection.
Former England captain Owen Farrell will lead the Lions for the first time as he is named to skipper the side from inside centre – partnering Ireland’s Jamie Osborne. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for an exclusive tour diary from the Lions’ tour of Australia.
Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn returns from injury, starting at full-back, as he looks to force his way into the second Test team after an underwhelming performance from the Lions back-three.
Late call-up Darcy Graham joins Duhan van der Merwe in an all-Scottish back-three, while Scotland’s Ben White partners England fly-half Fin Smith in the half-backs.
In the pack, Pierre Schoeman, Jamie George and Finlay Bealham make up the front-row, with James Ryan and Scott Cummings the starting locks.
One of those could be playing for a Test spot, with Ireland second-row Joe McCarthy an injury doubt after being forced off early against the Wallabies.
On the bench, Ireland centre Garry Ringrose returns from injury, while English trio Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith all take up places on the replacements’ pine – having made cameos in the first Test.
The rest of the bench is made up of late call-ups – with Scottish trio Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland and Gregor Brown having all joined up with the squad when they arrived in Melbourne on Sunday.
“This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests,” said Farrell after naming his side.
“The coaches’ minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places and we want that to continue for the remaining two Tests.
“This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power.”
Lions team to face First Nations and Pasifika XV: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Jamie Osborne, Owen Farrell (c), 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, Tom Clarkson, Gregor Brown, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Garry Ringrose.