Captain Dan Sheehan to Lead British and Irish Lions in Crucial Australian Test

The British and Irish Lions are set to take on the Western Force in Perth on Saturday, with hooker Dan Sheehan at the helm as captain. The 28-year-old Irishman will lead a team featuring five debutants in the starting lineup, including his Leinster teammates Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy, and Josh van der Flier. This new-look team is looking to bounce back from their defeat against Argentina and set the tone for the rest of the tour.

Head coach Andy Farrell has made several changes to the team, with Elliot Daly taking over at full-back and Tomos Williams starting at scrum-half. Finn Russell, who has made three appearances on the tour of South Africa in 2021, will start at fly-half, and Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu will make successive starts alongside Ringrose in the midfield. The pairing of Tuipulotu and Ringrose is expected to bring a new level of excitement to the Lions’ backline, with Tuipulotu moving from outside to inside centre and Tadhg Beirne switching from lock to blindside flanker.

Farrell’s decision to go with a new midfield combination has been met with excitement, and the team is looking to take advantage of Russell’s attacking prowess. The Bath fly-half is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the world, and his inclusion in the starting lineup is seen as a major boost for the Lions. “He will 100% do the job justice by just being himself,” said Farrell. “I know for a fact that whatever he asks the players to do, it won’t be empty words. He’s a calming type influence who understands what pressured situations really look like at this type of level.”

The Lions have a star-studded backline, with Finn Russell at fly-half and a combination of Ringrose and Tuipulotu in midfield. The team is looking to attack and entertain, and they have a genius at 10 in Russell. The match against the Western Force is a crucial one, and the Lions must deliver if they are to set the tone for the rest of the tour.

“We’ll see how we respond,” said Farrell. “The guys that are playing and taking the field this week are a little bit fortunate in the sense that they understand how we want to get better. They’ve got to take responsibility for that and to grab a hold of their chance, to make sure that they take this team forward.”

The Lions are facing a tough challenge against the Western Force, but they are confident in their ability to bounce back from their defeat against Argentina. With a new-look team and a star-studded backline, the Lions are looking to make a statement in Perth and set the tone for the rest of the tour.

Key Players to Watch:

• Dan Sheehan: The 28-year-old Irishman will lead the Lions in their crucial match against the Western Force. He is widely regarded as one of the best hookers in the world and will be looking to make a statement in his first game as captain.
• Finn Russell: The Bath fly-half is widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the world. He will be looking to take advantage of his attacking prowess and make a major impact in the match against the Western Force.
• Garry Ringrose: The Leinster centre will be looking to make a major impact in the match against the Western Force. He is widely regarded as one of the best centres in the world and will be looking to bring his experience and skill to the table.

Match Details:

• Date: Saturday, June 28
• Time: 11:00 BST
• Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
• Coverage: Live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app