Hogg to captain Lions
1 Jul 2021Scotland 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.”
“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
THE SIGMA LIONS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS
Saturday 3 July 2021, kick-off 5pm (BST) – watch live on Sky Sports.
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg
15. Stuart Hogg – captain (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby, Wales)
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836
10. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) #835
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843
1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842
2. Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, England)
6.Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) – Prop #787
18. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England)
21.Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales)
22. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
