Overview

• Owen Farrell has been handed the captaincy and will make his first start of the tour at inside centre in Tuesday’s match against a First Nations & Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium.
• Head coach Andy Farrell has rested the entire first-test starting XV to shield his key players for Saturday’s second Test, selecting a heavily rotated side featuring ten late call-ups.
• Fringe contenders such as Blair Kinghorn, Garry Ringrose and Jac Morgan have been given the opportunity to audition for a spot in the Test line-up over the remaining two matches.
• Kurtley Beale leads the First Nations & Pasifika XV, which is bolstered by Wallabies stars Taniela Tupou and Filipo Daugunu released from national camp.
• The midweek fixture replaces the Melbourne Rebels once planned and remains clouded by the controversy over Pete Samu’s ruled-out inclusion under a pre-tour eligibility agreement.