Lions team to face All Blacks: No Sam Warburton in Sky panel's XV

Luke Fitzgerald and Sir Ian McGeechan pick their Lions team to face New Zealand in the first Test on June 24

Sir Ian McGeechan and Luke Fitzgerald have selected their British and Irish Lions team to face the All Blacks, and there is no place for Sam Warburton.

Lions skipper Warburton missed Saturday's morale-boosting win over the Crusaders due to injury, although Warren Gatland says he is likely to play against the Highlanders on Tuesday.

However, McGeechan feels Warburton has not had enough game time and says Sean O'Brien is his favourite for the No 7 shirt in the first Test.

Live British and Irish Lions Tour

"This is the big call for Gats, without a doubt," said McGeechan.

"I think Warburton's short of match practice, he's injured again, and you see what Sean O'Brien did [against the Crusaders] with his ball-carrying.

Advertisement

"Sam Warburton is good at turnovers and being awkward in the breakdown but O'Brien is the carrier. This was one reason why the Lions got on the front foot, because they had this variety of carrier.

Which Lions impressed?

Who were the best performers in the Lions' win over the Crusaders? Cast your vote here.

"To keep the All Blacks under pressure you need to be pushing them backwards, and I thought he did that well."

Also See:

McGeechan and Luke Fitzgerald have selected Anthony Watson at full-back after his impressive showing against the Crusaders, with Wales duo Liam Williams and George North on the wings.

Image: Lions captain Sam Warburton has been sidelined with an ankle injury

Conor Murray is at scrum-half with Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell forming a 10-12 combination and Ben Te'o at outside centre.

Peter O'Mahony and Taulupe Faletau are alongside O'Brien in the back row, with Alun Wyn Jones and George Kruis preferred at lock ahead of Maro Itoje.

Ken Owens is named at hooker and he packs down between Mako Vunipola and Tadhg Furlong.

Sir Ian McGeechan and Luke Fitzgerald's Lions team to face the All Blacks: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 George North, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 5 George Kruis, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Press play on the above video to watch Sir Ian McGeechan and Luke Fitzgerald pick their team to face the All Blacks.

Outbrain