Newcastle's Catt among Lions
Newcastle local Lewie Catt has been named amongst the Combined Country starting XV to face the British & Irish Lions at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle on Tuesday.
From Newcastle's Wanderers club, Catt is the only NSW Country player in the Combined Country starting fifteen – stepping up alongside eight Super players, two Queensland Country players and four Sydney Premier players.
There have been two changes from the 23-man squad named on June 1 with Queensland Reds star, Beau Robinson ruled out following a head clash during the weekend's 12-22 loss to the British & Irish Lions.
Robinson's Reds' teammate, Jarrad Butler has been named at openside flank, while Sydney Premier representative, Richard Stanford will run on at blindside flank.
NSW Country representative, Ben Greentree has also been ruled out due to injury, replaced by Queensland Country player, Shaun McCarthy.
Queensland Country's Rory Arnold moves onto the bench to complete the 23-man squad.
The 23-man line-up will be Captained by the Melbourne Rebels', Tim Davidson as announced by Combined Country Coach, Cam Blades and his coaching staff.
On the bench for the Combined Country side is one Super player, five Queensland Country players, and two NSW Country players, including Singleton local and Wanderers Club representative, Dylan Evans, for the match against the Lions.
The match is an opportunity for some of Country's best to pit themselves against the best from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The game will provide a unique showcase of Australian Country during the Australia B&I Lions Tour giving the players a rare and exclusive opportunity to face the British & Irish Lions who only Tour Australia once every twelve years.
Combined Country: 15 Nathan Trist, 14 Alex Gibbon, 13 Lewie Catt, 12 Tareta-Junior Siakisini, 11 Tom Cox, 10 Angus Roberts, 9 Michael Snowden, 8 Tim Davidson (captain), 7 Jarrad Butler, 6 Richard Stanford, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Phoenix Battye, 3 Tim Metcher, 2 Josh Mann-Rae, 1 Haydn Hirsimaki.
Replacements: 16 Tom Kearney, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Rikki Abraham, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Trent Dyer, 21 Adam McCormack, 22 Shaun McCarthy, 23 Dale Ahwang.
Date: Tuesday, June 11
Venue: Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 19.30 (10.30 UK & Ireland time; 09.30 GMT)
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Leckie (Australia) Television
TMO: TBC
