Wales locked out of Lions as Curry named to start 1st Test

Itoje takes the helm, Irish flood selection

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Tom Curry was named at openside flanker in the British and Irish Lions team for the first Test against Australia tomorrow, ensuring the tourists would field a Test team without a Welshman for the first time since the late 19th century.

Welsh hopes of a presence in the side had rested on poacher Jac Morgan but coach Andy Farrell preferred the proven quality of England’s Curry in the starting side with Ben Earl and Ollie Chessum covering the loose forwards on the bench.

“[Jac] was as close as you can imagine,” Farrell told a news conference.

“Look, you're actually gutted for players like that who ... could well easily be in this side on Saturday. But I suppose that shows the good place that we're at as a group.”