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Adams starts as Lions ring the changes for series finale

Josh Adams celebrates with Bundee Aki 7/7/2021
Josh Adams will make his Test debut as one of six changes made by Warren Gatland to The British & Irish Lions starting XV which lost to the Springboks in the second Test.

Josh Adams will make his Test debut as one of six changes made by Warren Gatland to The British & Irish Lions starting XV which lost to the Springboks in the second Test.

The Tour’s leading try-scorer, Wales winger Adams comes in on the right wing to join Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe, who keeps his place on the left, while Liam Williams replaces Stuart Hogg at full back to complete the back three.

Ireland’s Bundee Aki will also make his Test debut for the tourists after being included at inside centre, joining fellow international teammate Robbie Henshaw who switches to 13.

WIN A 2021 LIONS JERSEY SIGNED BY THE WHOLE SQUAD

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is retained at fly-half with Scotland scrum-half Ali Price completing the half-back pairing having been named as a replacement last weekend.

In the pack, there are two changes to the front-row with injury-free Wales loosehead Wyn Jones making his Lions Test debut alongside hooker Ken Owens.

Jones and Owens, who is promoted from the bench to start his first Test of the Tour, will be joined by Tadhg Furlong as he remains at tighthead to win his sixth-successive Test cap.

Alun Wyn Jones will win his 12th consecutive cap moving him alongside Graham Price (1977 – 1983) and Mike Gibson (1966 – 1974) in the list of most Lions Test appearances.

The iconic Welshman is again partnered in the second row by England’s Maro Itoje, while the back row remains the same as Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry and Jack Conan start together.

On the bench, Adam Beard (Wales), Finn Russell (Scotland) and Sam Simmonds (England) feature for the first time in the Test Series and will all win their first Lions cap should they take the field.

England’s Kyle Sinckler is also included among the replacements, subject to the outcome of a disciplinary hearing, while Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola and Elliot Daly complete the bench.

“The matchday 23 have an incredibly special opportunity in front of them – to seal a Lions Series victory in South Africa,” said Gatland.

“It doesn’t get much bigger than this and we’re excited by the challenge that faces us on Saturday.

“We’ve no excuses from last week, the Springboks put us under pressure in the second half and deserved the win. We have to be much better than that second half performance, and I believe we will be.”

Saturday’s clash against the reigning World Champions is the final Test match in the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series and will be shown live and exclusively on Sky Sports.

SOUTH AFRICA v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

Saturday 7 August 2021 Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town Kick-off: 5pm (BST)

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833 14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales) #836 13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837 11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841 10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821 9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843 1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842 2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825 5. Alun Wyn Jones – captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761 6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853 8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839

Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851 17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787 18. *Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814 – subject to outcome of disciplinary hearing. 19. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales) #852 20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849 21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790 22. Finn Russell (Racing 92, Scotland) #835 23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822