British and Irish Lions 2017: Alun Wyn Jones leads squad against unbeaten Crusaders with Sam Warburton left out
Sean O'Brien is fit to make his first appearance of the tour while Ben Te'o is given a second run out at inside centre after impressing last Saturday
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Your support makes all the difference.Alun Wyn Jones will captain the British and Irish Lions against the unbeaten Crusaders in the absence of Sam Warburton as Warren Gatland gives the final four members of his squad yet to play on the tour of New Zealand each their first start.
Sean O’Brien is fit to start at openside flanker despite coming into the tour with a hamstring complaint, while in the back line Conor Murray makes his first appearance at scrum-half. Wales pair Jonathan Davies and George North also start at outside centre and wing respectively, with Gatland choosing a side that looks like it resemble something close to his squad that will start the first Test.
The front-row is made up of Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Tadhg Furlong, with Jones partnering George Kruis at lock, while O’Brien is joined by Irish colleague Peter O’Mahony and Taulupe Faletau in the back-row.
Murray partners Owen Farrell at half-back while Davies starts in the centre alongside Ben Te’o, who impressed in the 13-7 win over the Provincial Barbarians last Saturday, while North is joined in the back three by full-back Stuart Hogg and wing Liam Williams – the latter coming into the side despite being sin-binned in the loss to the Blues.
The Lions face the daunting prospect of trying to get back to winning ways following the 22-16 defeat by the Blues on Wednesday against a side that has won every match that they have played this season, with the unbeaten Crusaders winning 14 from 14 in this year’s Super Rugby competition.
"The aim was always to start everyone in the first three matches and this selection ensures that we achieve this,” said Gatland.
"This is an experienced team with nine of the starting 15 players having featured in 2013.
"Our squad is working hard and we are seeing improvement in their performances both at training and in the games.”
The defeat at Eden Park did not appear to dampen Gatland’s spirits too much as he praised the improved performance, though the Kiwi did accept that his side’s ill-discipline cost them the victory that looked to be on the cards until the 74th minute try by Ihaia West that clinched a famous win for the Auckland side.
"Last night's results against the Blues was disappointing and we know we can't afford to give away so many penalties,” Gatland added.
"We are looking forward to the clash against the Crusaders and we expect a tough game against the most successful team in Super Rugby history.”
Lions team to face the Crusaders:
Stuart Hogg; George North, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, Liam Williams; Owen Farrell, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong; Alun Wyn Jones, George Kruis; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau
Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath. Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Jonathan Sexton, Anthony Watson.
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