British & Irish Lions team news: Four Irish players…

British & Irish Lions team news: Four Irish players named in starting 15 for Stormers clash

Four Irish players are in the Lions starting fifteen for this Saturday's clash with the Stormers in Cape Town.

Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan and Robbie Henshaw will all line out for Warren Gatland's side.

But the big team news is that Welsh lock Alun Wyn Jones has been named on the bench on the same day he arrives in Cape Town, returning to the Lions fold after dislocating his shoulder on June 26 against Japan.

In the final warm-up match before the first Test against the Springboks, Henshaw returns from a hamstring injury to take his place in the midfield alongside Elliot Daly.

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg will captain a brand new starting XV from the one that went down 17-13 to South Africa ‘A’ on Wednesday evening.

"It’s an important game as it’s the final chance for the coaching group to see the players perform prior to the start of the Test Series," said Gatland.

"For the matchday 23 it’s their last opportunity to stake a claim for a Test place, so I expect to see a highly motivated group of players.

"It is particularly pleasing to be able to name Stuart Hogg in the squad. He’s not had much luck on Lions Tours to date, so it’ll be great to see him cross the whitewash again with the captain’s armband.

"I’m also delighted that Marcus will get his first start in a Lions jersey. I’ve been really impressed with his attitude since coming into camp this week; he’s been like a sponge for information."

"Obviously it’s a tight turnaround from Wednesday’s game but we’re in pretty good shape. The South Africa ‘A’ game was a physical encounter – we always knew it would be – but we’ve come out of it pretty much intact and ready to go again. Liam Williams will begin his return to play protocol following his HIA.

"We learnt a lot from Wednesday’s game and I hope the defeat will serve us well. There’re still some areas of the game we need to tighten up on, particularly reducing our turnover rate.

"Time and again on this Tour we’ve had to adapt in the face of the challenges created by COVID-19. I couldn’t be prouder of the staff and the players for the role each of them has played to get us to this point on the Tour."