Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, July 7. By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent, Canberra Andy Farrell has tackled suggestions he has shown his hand by picking his strongest British and Irish Lions team to take on ACT Brumbies on Wednesday. Farrell warned the chosen players they have yet to guarantee their selection for the first Test against Australia after media suggestions his first-choice side is now clear. Maro Itoje returns as captain for the Canberra showdown to lead a starting XV full of players considered first choice in their positions, including half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack for the exclusive five-week tour diary from Japan and Australia. The Brumbies are the strongest of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises, having finished third in the table, and the fixture is being treated as a dry run for the series opener against the Wallabies on July 19. But Farrell insisted his Lions stars still have to earn the jersey after leaving the door open for others to stake their claim, with Saturday’s match against an AUNZ Invitational XV the final opportunity to impress. Asked about suggestions this was his first-choice Test team, he said: “The truth of the matter is we have got a good side that’s going to take the field on Wednesday and I will tell you what I said to the team. “There’s always going to be speculation, but it’s up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in with regards to the chance they have got on Wednesday and on Saturday. “Players can play themselves in and players can play themselves out, but we are looking for a cohesive team performance and that is what we are trying to achieve. “There has to be movement in selection. The nature of the format of these two games allows for us to be open-minded. “We play on Saturday after this and have four weeks worth of training, so you have to stay open-minded. A closed book is not good for anyone. “I wouldn’t call it a blank slate, you have always got ideas, but you need to leave wriggle room for things to unfold and make a judgement on what you see over the next couple of games.” Providing X-factor on the bench are back row Henry Pollock and versatile playmaker Marcus Smith in an opportunity for both England stars to prove they are viable options against Australia. In normal circumstances flanker Tom Curry and prop Tadhg Furlong would be assured of Test places, but they need big games following underwhelming tours so far. Prop Ellis Genge, flanker Ollie Chessum and full-back Blair Kinghorn must also put their best foot forwards amid fierce competition for places. The likes of Dan Sheehan, Itoje, Gibson-Park, Russell and Jack Conan are nailed-on starters. Former Dragons boss Dai Flanagan has been appointed attack coach of English giants Saracens. Flanagan parted ways with the Dragons last October after a disappointing start to the season but has been given an opportunity at Saracens. He heads to North London with over 10 years of coaching experience. Having played his rugby for Pontypridd , Ospreys and Cardiff as a fly-half, the 39-year-old has coached at the Scarlets and the Dragons. “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Saracens, a club I have admired and followed for a long time," he said. "The opportunity to come and work in the English Premiership alongside a talented and driven coaching and playing squad is incredibly exciting. "This is a great opportunity for me to continue my coaching journey and work at an ambitious club that are looking to build on that successful legacy in the seasons to come. "I’ve spoken to Mark (McCall) and Joe (Shaw) at length about the club’s plans and the way they want to play. I cannot wait to get started, connect with our fanbase, and help us develop and play a brand of rugby that will excite our supporters at the StoneX Stadium.” Flanagan will be working with a star-studded squad which includes the likes of England stars Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly and Owen Farrell, among others. “We are delighted Dai has agreed to join our coaching team," said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall. "Everyone who has previously worked with him spoke highly of his ability to bring the best out of people and in the conversations we had with him we were blown away by his rugby intellect and his obvious human qualities. "Dai will bring a new perspective, new ideas and we believe will take our attack to the next level." Wales head coach Sean Lynn has appointed two co-captains after deciding to replace Hannah Jones as skipper. Flankers Alex Callender and Kate Williams have been named co-captains for the national side for the two Test series against Australia this month and the World Cup in England later this year. Callender, 24, has captained the Scarlets and Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge and was Wales vice-captain for the 2025 Six Nations campaign. Swansea-born Williams was raised in New Zealand and played for the Auckland Blues in Super Rugby before committing to Wales and winning her first cap against Ireland in 2023. The backrower moved to New Zealand with her family as a youngster before earning a WRU contract and was part of the Gloucester/Hartpury side to lift the PWR title under Lynn last season. Lynn took the decision to replace Jones last month in a big to change the culture of the squad after a dismal run of results culminated in a Six Nations wooden spoon Callender said: “Playing for Wales has always been an honour and to be asked to lead the squad by Lynny is a real privilege. "Everybody knows my late Mam, Donna, who passed away in 2023, would be so proud to see me lead my country. She has always been my why and I know she is looking down on me and how proud she would be with this news. “We have had a tough pre-season, and we have all put the work in and we are excited to see where we are and measure ourselves against the Wallaroos as we prepare for the World Cup.” Williams added: “Wales has always been a big part of my life, and it was a dream just to play for Wales. To say being asked to be a co-captain of Wales is a proud moment for my family would be an understatement.” Lynn said: “We have made no secret of our determination to grow the leadership in the squad and appointing two captains demonstrates that and both Al Cal and Kate have impressed with those leadership qualities. “They lead by example on the pitch and in training and have embraced all the changes we have introduced. Al Cal brings a real energy and excitement to the squad, while Kate brings a selflessness and a quiet calm authority to everything she does. “Both of them represent our Wales family philosophy, are an inspiration to the future family and Kate, in particular, is a great example of the lost Welsh family of players who we know are around the world who want to play for Wales.” Wales U20s coach Richard Whiffin has ripped up the side that lost to France for the final World Championship group match against Spain on Wednesday. Harri Wilde and Elijah Evans are the sole survivors from the backline, while Ioan Emanuel, Deian Gwynne and captain Harry Beddall retain their places in the pack as Whiffin gives a number of players their first starts of the campaign. Ospreys’ Lewis Edwards will earn his first cap at full-back, while there is a new centre partnership with Scarlets’ Elis Price and Cardiff Rugby’s Osian Darwin-Lewis getting the nod. Up front Pontypool hooker Evan Wood gets his first taste of action in the championship with Scarlets Jake Bowen called on to the replacements' bench as Harry Thomas and Saul Hurley work their way through HIA protocols. Exeter Chiefs lock Luke Evans joins the returning Nick Thomas in the second row with Gloucester flanker Caio James starting on the openside. “We said from the start to the boys in the squad that we have 30 players we are comfortable in playing and starting and we’ve stuck to that by giving some guys an opportunity that have been patiently waiting and they now get their chance against Spain,” said Whiffin. Scarlets hooker Jake Bowen gets an unexpected call-up to the bench after two hookers were ruled out due to HIA protocols, but Whiffin has no qualms about throwing him in at the deep end. Wales travelled to Italy intent on making the semi-finals but narrow defeats to Argentina and France they are now aiming to finish fifth in the championship. To achieve that feat, Wales will have to brush aside Spain who nearly caused an upset in the last round before going down 33-30 to Argentina.