Lynagh To Start For Australia In First Lions Test

Fly-half Tom Lynagh will emulate his father, nan Wallaby awesome Michael, erstwhile he starts for Australia successful Saturday's first Test against nan British and Irish Lions.

In nan absence of regular starter Noah Lolesio, Lynagh, 22, will triumph his 4th headdress astatine nan Suncorp Stadium, wearing number 10 arsenic Michael did successful nan 1989 bid against nan Lions.

With cardinal guardant Rob Valetini missing pinch a calf problem, Champion de Crespigny makes his debut connected nan flank pinch Harry Wilson captaining from number eight.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, nan 21-year-old cross-code superstar, partners Len Ikitau successful nan midfield, but location is nary spot successful nan squad for elephantine fastener Will Skelton.

"The full squad has worked difficult arsenic a group to hole for what's going to a monolithic situation against an in-form Lions team," said Australia caput coach Joe Schmidt.

Loose-head prop Angus Bell is held backmost connected nan bench, pinch nan knowledgeable James Slipper starting alternatively while, pinch Skelton absent, Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are successful nan 2nd row.

Schmidt says some Valetini and Skelton were adjacent to action arsenic they retrieve from their calf injuries.

"They were correct connected nan edge, if it was past crippled of bid they astir apt would person played but you can't effort and push them," he explained.

Schmidt has made 4 changes from nan starting XV that edged past Fiji 21-18 earlier this month, aft which nan Australia leader played down his side's chances of beating nan Lions successful nan three-Test series.

"We didn't play good capable for group to person nan anticipation that we're going to travel bowling into Brisbane and sound nan Lions over," Schmidt said astatine nan time.

Starting XV: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Faessler, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, De Crespigny, McReight, Wilson (capt)

Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway.

Despite nan Lions' beardown grounds successful Brisbane – nan touring squad person ne'er mislaid successful Queensland – Wallaby awesome Will Genia believes nan Australia players will beryllium inspired by nan Suncorp Stadium travel Saturday.

"I would opportunity for america it's nan unofficial location of rugby successful Australia," nan 110-cap scrum-half told nan Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"The champion grounds we person is astatine nan Suncorp Stadium. And having played location myself, location is simply a different consciousness astir it.

"It feels for illustration an existent location crushed for us, truthful that adds a spot of assurance for nan boys heading into nan game."

Genia started each 3 Tests for Australia successful nan 2013 bid against nan Lions, and contempt nan 2-1 bid conclusion he remembers fondly nan standard of nan juncture 12 years ago.

"If I deliberation backmost to nan existent Test series, I would opportunity it was nan top acquisition of my rugby career," he added.

"Once each 12 years, nan tradition, history, nan prestige and nan attraction surrounding it – it was an astonishing experience.

"I conscionable ne'er knowledgeable thing for illustration it. You cognize you are coming up against nan champion players from 4 nations coming together.

"So that successful itself arsenic a situation was thing I really embraced. To put myself successful that position nether that unit was thing I really enjoyed."