Hooker Sheehan has scored 15 tries in 32 appearances for Ireland Western Force v British and Irish Lions Venue:Optus Stadium, PerthDate:Saturday, 28 JuneKick-off:11.00 BST Coverage:Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app Ireland's Dan Sheehan will captain the British and Irish Lions in their opening game on Australian soil against the Western Force on Saturday. Sheehan is one of five players in the starting line-up who will make their Lions debut in Perth, his Leinster team-mates Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier being the others. Four more Lions are set to make their debut off the bench - Ollie Chessum, Huw Jones, Andrew Porter and Will Stuart. Northampton tyro Henry Pollock will make his first start having come off the bench against Argentina last Friday night. Head coach Andy Farrell is still without Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan, both inching their way back from injury, so Elliot Daly is in at full-back and Tomos Williams is rewarded for a fine cameo against the Pumas in Dublin with a start in the nine jersey. Finn Russell also makes his starting Lions debut having only appeared as a replacement in his one appearance against South Africa four years ago. Farrell goes with a new midfield combination in Ringrose and Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu, who will make successive starts. Tuipulotu and Tadhg Beirne are the only two players selected to start against Argentina and the Force, albeit both have moved position, the Scot from outside to inside centre and the Irishman from lock to blindside flanker. British and Irish Lions:Daly, Hansen, Ringrose, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Williams; Schoeman, Sheehan, Furlong, Cummings, McCarthy, Beirne, Van der Flier, Pollock Replacements:Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Conan, Mitchell, Jones, M Smith
Sheehan to captain British & Irish Lions against Western Force
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Dan Sheehan Named Captain of British and Irish Lions for Match Against Western Force"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Dan Sheehan, the hooker from Ireland, has been named captain of the British and Irish Lions for their upcoming match against the Western Force, marking the team's first game in Australia. Sheehan has made a significant impact in his international career, scoring 15 tries in 32 appearances for Ireland. The match is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, at Optus Stadium in Perth, with kick-off set for 11:00 BST. The game will be available for live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Sheehan leads a squad that features five players making their Lions debut, including his Leinster teammates Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy, and Josh van der Flier. Additionally, four more players are set to debut off the bench, showcasing the depth and fresh talent within the Lions' roster.
Head coach Andy Farrell has made some strategic selections as he continues to manage injuries within the squad, with Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan both unavailable for this match. As a result, Elliot Daly will take the role of full-back, while Tomos Williams earns a starting position at scrum-half following a strong performance against Argentina. Finn Russell, another debutant for the Lions, is set to start after previously appearing only as a substitute in a match against South Africa four years prior. The midfield will see a new combination with Ringrose paired alongside Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu. Both Tuipulotu and Tadhg Beirne have been chosen to start against the Force after also playing against Argentina, albeit in different positions. The Lions' starting line-up and bench reflect a mix of experience and youth, indicating a strategy aimed at both immediate performance and future development within the team.
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