Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Tom Lynagh has been handed the number 10 shirt.Alamy Stock Photo Freebig blows Skelton and Valetini both miss out for Wallabies against Lions Tom Lynagh and Nick Champion de Crespigny both start for Joe Schmidt’s side. 4.51am, 17 Jul 2025 Share options Murray Kinsella Reports from Brisbane AUSTRALIA BOSS JOE Schmidt has handed 22-year-old out-half Tom Lynagh his first start in Saturday’s opening clash with the Lions in Brisbane [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports]. Reds playmaker Lynagh, the son of legendary Wallabies out-half Michael, will earn his fourth cap and his first in the starting number 10 shirt against Andy Farrell’s Lions. Meanwhile, Western Force blindside flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny will make his Wallabies debut as the influential Rob Valetini misses out due to injury. Heavyweight lock Will Skelton is also missing for the Wallabies, meaning they have been shorn of two of their biggest, most powerful players for this opening Test. Advertisement An injury to the previous out-half incumbent Noah Lolesio opened the door for Lynagh, who has just recovered from a hand injury and has been preferred to the more experienced Ben Donaldson. In a major blow to the Wallabies, Valetini has been ruled out of this first Test with a calf injury. The powerful Brumbies man has been one of Australia’s best players under Schmidt and his physicality could be badly missed. Skelton has also failed to recover from a calf injury. Scrum-half Jake Gordon returns from the injury that kept him out of Australia’s win over Fiji two weekends ago, partnering Lynagh in the halfbacks. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii continue in midfield, while there’s an unchanged back three of Max Jorgensen, Harry Potter, and Tom Wright. Matt Faessler comes into the team at hooker, with Champion de Crespigny the only other fresh face in the pack. Number eight Harry Wilson continues as Wallabies captain despite speculation that Schmidt could name Gordon as his new skipper. Australia (v Lions): 15. Tom Wright 14. Max Jorgensen 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 12. Len Ikitau 11. Harry Potter 10. Tom Lynagh 9. Jake Gordon 1. James Slipper 2. Matt Faessler 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Nick Frost 5. Jeremy Williams 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny 7. Fraser McReight 8. Harry Wilson (captain) Replacements: 16. Billy Pollard 17. Angus Bell 18. Tom Robertson 19. Tom Hooper 20. Carlo Tizzano 21. Tate McDermott 22. Ben Donaldson 23. Andrew Kellaway Referee: Ben O’Keeffe [New Zealand]. 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