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last wk.

Farrell Picks Near-Test Lions Lineup for Brumbies Warm-Up, Kiss Names AUNZ XV

The Lions are using this penultimate warm-up as a near-Test rehearsal to finalise their squad ahead of the July 19 opener.

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Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool C - Wales v Australia - OL Stadium, Lyon, France - September 24, 2023 Wales' George North in action with Australia's Tom Hooper REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

Overview

  • Andy Farrell has named a near first-choice Lions side, featuring eight Irish players, for the July 9 clash with an understrength ACT Brumbies in Canberra.
  • Stephen Larkham’s Brumbies will be without seven of eight Wallabies selected for the Fiji Test, creating space for new combinations under match pressure.
  • Farrell insists Test places remain open, viewing both the Brumbies and AUNZ XV fixtures as auditions for the opening Test against Australia.
  • Les Kiss has assembled an 18-international Australia-New Zealand invitational squad for the Lions’ final warm-up on July 12 in Adelaide.
  • The selection strategy is driven by Farrell’s aim to avoid the 2013 Brumbies upset and build cohesion through open competition in warm-up matches.