Lions coach Ian McGeechan selected seven Welshmen in his starting team on Wednesday to play a Royal XV this weekend in the opening tour match of South Africa.
Fullback Lee Byrne, inside centre Jamie Roberts, winger Shane Williams, hooker Matthew Rees, tighthead prop Adam Jones, openside flanker Martyn Williams and No.8 Andy Powell will play at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday.
McGeechan also picked four Englishmen, three Irishmen and one Scot in his team.
Two Ireland players – Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Heaslip – have been rested after playing for Leinster in the Heineken Cup final win over Leicester last weekend.
“We are aiming to give all the players a run in the first three games and in all six matches before the Tests we will be trying to develop combinations,” McGeechan said.
“I think it’s a good mix of youth and experience.”
Lions:
Lee Byrne, Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Ronan O’Gara, Mike Blair; Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Paul O’Connell (capt), Simon Shaw, Joe Worsley, Martyn Williams, Andy Powell. Res: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Alun-Wyn Jones, Stephen Ferris, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Riki Flutey.
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