B&I Lions forced to make another change
TEAM UPDATE: Head coach Warren Gatland has been forced to make another change to his team ahead of their clash against Japan at Murrayfield.
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) has been ruled out of this Saturday’s clash with a back spasm.
The tighthead prop was due to start at Murrayfield Stadium for the Lions 1888 Cup but was unable to train on Thursday and is replaced in the starting XV by Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland).
It’s the second forced change for the Lions after they named their team on Tuesday.
“It’s a shame for Zander not to be able to run out at Murrayfield as a Lion, but he’s not quite one hundred percent,” said Gatland.
“He’ll get a chance to start in the next two games and stake a claim for a Test spot in South Africa, so it’s not worth the risk.”
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) is added to the bench to complete the matchday squad.
On Wednesday, Scotland and Edinburgh flank Hamish Watson was ruled out of the match and was replaced by Wales Justin Tipuric in the starting line-up.
The Scottish loose forward suffered a concussion in training on Tuesday and will begin the graduated return-to-play protocol.
British and Irish Lions – revised: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Ali Price, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Anthony Watson.
Date: Saturday, June 26
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 23.00 JST)
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset, Ludovic Cayre
TMO: Eric Gauzins
#OTD in 2017 a moment of greatness was forever etched into #LionsRugby history 🦁
That moment was @SeanOBrien1987‘s try 💯🔥#LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/ejbG7U9N8I
ADVERTISEMENT— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 24, 2021
