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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Eamon Doggett

Jack Conan one of three Irish players named in Lions team for first Test against South Africa

Leinster's Jack Conan is a surprise inclusion in the British and Irish Lions starting team for Saturday's first Test against South Africa.

Conan will start at number 8 for the Lions in a back row that also includes Englishmen Courtney Lawes and Tom Curry.

There is also a place in the 15 for Robbie Henshaw who will partner Elliott Daly at centre.

But Conor Murray, who took over the tour captaincy when Alun Wyn Jones was sidelined, has to be content with a place on the bench.

Scottish scrum-half Ali Price will form a half-balk partnership with Dan Biggar, with no room in the backline for England's Owen Farrell.

As expected Tadhg Furlong, one of three Leinster players in the 15, will start in the front now.

And Munster's Tadhg Beirne, named on the bench, looks set to provide cover for both the back row and second row.

There is place in the matchday squad, though, for Ulster's Iain Henderson.

Lions: Stuart Hogg; Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly, Robbie Henshaw, Duhan van der Merwe; Dan Biggar, Ali Price; Wyn Jones, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones (capt); Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Rory Sutherland, Kyle Sinckler, Tadhg Beirne, Hamish Watson, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Liam Williams.

South Africa: Willie Le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian De Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Faf De Klerk; Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Kwagga Smith

Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Lood De Jager, Rynhardt Elstadt, Herschel Jantjies, Elton Jantjies, Damian Willemse.

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