Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine TG4 Entertainment Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Joe McCarthy starts in the second row. Dan Sheridan/INPHO Eight Irish starters named in Lions team to face Brumbies in Canberra Andy Farrell is rolling out something very close to his first Test matchday 23. 7.48am, 7 Jul 2025 Share options Reports from Canberra LIONS HEAD COACH Andy Farrell has named eight Irish players in his strong starting XV for Wednesday’s warm-up clash with the Brumbies [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports]. This game is being viewed as a Test rehearsal for the Lions, with their opening meeting against Australia 10 days later. There is one more warm-up game ahead on Saturday against an AUNZ Invitational team, but this Brumbies clash has increasingly looked like the last opportunity for Farrell to run most of his Test combinations. Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell will resume their halfback pairing at Gio Stadium, while Irish centres Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose start together. Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn gets his first Lions start at fullback, making up the back three with James Lowe and Tommy Freeman. Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong are picked in the front row with Ellis Genge, while Ireland’s Joe McCarthy partners captain Maro Itoje in the second row. Jack Conan is at the heart of a back row that is completed by English pair Tom Curry and Ollie Chessum, the latter at blindside. Advertisement There are four more Irish players on the bench in Rónan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Josh van der Flier and Mack Hansen, who will play in his hometown of Canberra. Interestingly, the Lions bench includes two back rows in van der Flier and Henry Pollock despite Farrell going for a 5/3 split, with Chessum providing second row cover from within the starting XV. Lions (v Brumbies): 15. Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse/Scotland) 14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton/England) 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/Ireland) 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Ireland) 11. James Lowe (Leinster/Ireland) 10. Finn Russell (Bath/Scotland) 9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster/Ireland) 1. Ellis Genge (Bristol/England) 2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Ireland) 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Ireland) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) (captain) 5. Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Ireland) 6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester/England) 7. Tom Curry (Sale/England) 8. Jack Conan (Leinster/Ireland) Replacements: 16. Rónan Kelleher (Leinster/Ireland) 17. Andrew Porter (Leinster/Ireland) 18. Will Stuart (Bath/England) 19. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/Ireland) 20. Henry Pollock (Northampton/England) 21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton/England) 22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) 23. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Ireland) Written by Murray Kinsella and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here. Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Eight Irish starters named in Lions team to face Brumbies in Canberra”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “Eight Irish starters named in Lions team to face Brumbies in Canberra”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy before taking part. Leave a Comment Submit a report Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines. Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel. Racism or Hate speech An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs. Trolling or Off-topic An attempt to derail the discussion. Inappropriate language Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs. Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts. Please provide additional information Thank you for the feedback Your feedback has been sent to our team for review. Leave a commentcancel Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app. This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation. Download and sign into the app to continue. Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user View our policy ⚠️ Duplicate comment Post Comment have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion InvestigatesChemo Delays 'It's getting tougher': Hospitals failing to consistently start chemo on time Maria Delaney Death Cap Mushrooms Australian woman found guilty of murdering three in-laws in mushroom murder trial Warm, dry weather expected today and this week, including temperatures of 28 degrees on Friday 44 mins ago do the right thing College fees: 'Some students are wondering if they should now take up their CAO offer' 53 mins ago Good Morning The 9 at 9: Monday 56 mins ago Irishman killed after being struck by a car in the US Texas flood: Death toll rises to 82 including summer camp children amid risk of more flooding Controversy GAA to investigate after confusion over final score of Tipperary-Kilkenny game Leinster House Minister Patrick O’Donovan thought he might die after collapsing in the Dáil 7 deadly reads Sitdown Sunday: Virginia Giuffre's family share what happened in her final days America Party Elon Musk says he has created a new political party for the US more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine TG4 Entertainment Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online