Nowell to start at full-back

By Mark Stevens
25/6/17

Exeter Chiefs duo Jack Nowell and Tomas Francis have both been named in the British and Irish Lions squad to face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Tuesday.

Fresh from scoring two tries against the Chiefs last time out, Cornishman Nowell will start this latest encounter at full-back, switching from the wing where he has featured on three previous occasions for the Lions.

Francis - who was one of six players called into the squad by Warren Gatland - is again included on the bench. He was an unused replacement against the Chiefs last week, so will be hoping to get an appearance this time round.

Ireland’s Rory Best will again captain the visitors, this having led them to a comfortable win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Coach Warren Gatland made the decision after the Lions lost the opening Test against New Zealand 30-15 on Saturday. The second Test against the All Blacks is on Saturday, 1 July.

"We are obviously hugely disappointed with the result but it is important to regroup," said Gatland. "We know there are a lot of players motivated to go out and get a result for the whole group.

"A few players put their hands up for selection from the Chiefs game and played their way into the Test team so they know that there is another opportunity for them on Tuesday against the Super Rugby champions."

The All Blacks have released Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett and Ngani Laumape back to the Hurricanes for the game, while Nehe Milner-Skudder also starts.

British and Irish Lions: Jack Nowell (England), Tommy Seymour (Scotland), Jonathan Joseph (England), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), George North (Wales), Dan Biggar (Wales), Greig Laidlaw (Scotland), Joe Marler (England), Rory Best (Ireland, captain), Dan Cole (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Courtney Lawes (England), James Haskell (England), Justin Tipuric (Wales), CJ Stander (Ireland).

Replacements: Kristian Dacey (Wales), Alan Dell (Scotland), Tomas Francis (Wales), Cory Hill (Wales), George Kruis (England), Gareth Davies (Wales), Finn Russell (Scotland), Jared Payne (Ireland).

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Otere Black, Te Toiroa-Tahuriorangi, Ben May, Ricky Ricitelli, Jeffrey To'omaga-Allen, Mark Abbott, Sam Lousi, Vaea Fifita, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields (captain).

Replacements: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, James Blackwell, Reed Prinsep, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Wes Goosen, Cory Jane.