Hogg to captain Lions

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg will lead The British & Irish Lions in their opening tour match against the Sigma Lions in Johannesburg this Saturday (3 July, kick-off 5pm BST) - live on Sky Sports.

The full-back, fresh from his try-scoring appearance for Exeter in the Gallagher Premiership Final last weekend, is one of six Scotland internationals in the matchday squad, with Chris Harris, Finn Russell, Ali Price and Hamish Watson all joining Hogg in the starting XV, and Zander Fagerson named on the bench.

Stand-off Finn Russell teams up with his former Glasgow Warriors and regular Scotland half-back partner Ali Price, while Chris Harris is paired at centre with England captain Owen Farrell. Hamish Watson, following the disappointment of having to withdraw from the Lions’ warm-up game against Japan at BT Murrayfield last Saturday, is selected at open-side. Zander Fagerson will be eager to join his teammates from the bench given he, too, had to withdraw from the game last weekend.

Head Coach Warren Gatland on his team selection: “We had a pleasing win last week up in Edinburgh, but there’s still plenty we need to get right on Saturday.

“I’ve been encouraged by the way the boys have trained this week. I feel it’s gone up a level from where we were in Jersey and we’re starting to see a better understanding of some of our tactics.”

Take a look into training.

“My congratulations to all those playing their first game as a Lion, and also to Hoggy too – who I am sure will lead the side by example.”
British & Irish Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland

Captain of @Scotlandteam ➡️ Leader of @lionsofficial @StuartWHOGG_ | #LionsRugby https://t.co/JAZP5lhR2C pic.twitter.com/sbxO8L75Dr

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) July 1, 2021