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Peter O'Mahony to lead Lions for first Test against New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 10:  Peter O'Mahony of the Lions celebrates during the match between the Crusaders and the British & Irish Lions at AMI St
Image: Peter O'Mahony will captain the British and Irish Lions in their first Test against the All Blacks

Peter O'Mahony will captain the British and Irish Lions in Saturday's first Test against New Zealand.

O'Mahony led the Lions in their 32-10 victory over the Maori All Blacks last Saturday, and will now lead them out against the back-to-back world champions in Auckland on Saturday.

Warren Gatland produced a number of surprises, naming Liam Williams at full-back ahead of Leigh Halfpenny, Elliot Daly on the left wing instead of George North and Wales veteran Alun Wyn Jones at lock ahead of Maro Itoje.

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Sean O'Brien and Taulupe Faletau make up the back row with tour captain Sam Warburton on the bench.

Owen Farrell of the Lions catches the ball during the match between the Crusaders and the British & Irish Lions
Image: Owen Farrell has been given the nod at fly-half

Warburton becomes the first tour captain since Doug Prentice in 1930 not to lead the Lions in an opening Test.

Gatland has also opted for Lions experience in the second row with the inclusion of Jones, who will partner George Kruis, with Itoje on the bench.

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Highlights of the Maori All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions in Rotorua

Fly-half Owen Farrell has got the nod ahead of Johnny Sexton and will partner Conor Murray in the half-backs.

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"We have picked a side based on form with a lot of players putting their hands up, especially from the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks games, and it was a lively selection meeting," said Gatland.

"The win against the Chiefs was also extremely important for the squad and some players played themselves into the side.

Lions' captain Alun Wyn Jones looks down at the scrum during the rugby union match between the Crusaders and the British and Irish Lions
Image: Alun Wyn Jones will partner George Kruis in the second row

"We have continuously been strong at set-piece and have been good defensively in the last two or three outings. But to beat the All Blacks you have to be courageous and play some rugby - you have to score tries and I think we have picked a team capable of doing that."

British and Irish Lions: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Ben Te'o, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Tadhg Furlong,4 Alun Wyn Jones,5 George Kruis, 6 Peter O'Mahony (c), 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Maro Itoje, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Jonathan Sexton, 23 Leigh Halfpenny

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