Farrell expects Reds to be ‘big step up’ for keen Lions

Maro Itoje will captain a vastly changed British and Irish Lions for their second Australian match against Queensland Reds, with head coach Andy Farrell expecting the clash to be “a big step up”.

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Tour skipper Itoje takes the armband from hooker Dan Sheehan, who is rested for the match in Brisbane tomorrow.

Only fly-half Finn Russell has been retained from the starting XV that crushed Western Force 54-7 last weekend, a game that proved costly for veteran scrum-half Tomos Williams.

The Welshman hobbled off with a hamstring injury which has ruled him out of the rest of the nine-game tour.

Scotland’s Ben White has been called up in his place with Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park making his Lions debut at scrum-half against the Reds.

Farrell said injuries and team changes were inevitable on such a tight schedule.

"This is proper touring, isn’t it? Games are coming thick and fast, three games in eight days, and it keeps on rolling after that,’ he said.

“Being adaptable is the key.”