Lions Test places are still up for grabs, insists Farrell

ANDY Farrell picked his strongest British and Irish Lions team to take on ACT Brumbies with a warning they have yet to guarantee their selection for the first Test against Australia.

- DUNCAN BECH

Maro Itoje returns as captain for the Canberra showdown to lead a starting XV full of players considered first choice in their positions, including halfbacks Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell.

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.

"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," the head coach said.

"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.