Lions Reveal First Hand

BRISBANE: CURRY, TUIPULOTU WIN THE RACE AS FARRELL, POLLOCK MISS OUT

- TOM CURRY Picture: Getty Images

England flanker Tom Curry and Scottish centre Sione Tuipulotu won the race yesterday to start for the British and Irish Lions against Australia, but veteran Owen Farrell and emerging star Henry Pollock missed out.

The experienced Curry edged Jac Morgan for the openside flanker role in the first Test on Saturday in Brisbane, joining Irish pair Jack Conan and Tadhg Beirne in the back row.

Despite some impressive performances on tour, Morgan failed to make the bench, meaning there is no Welsh player in a Lions matchday 23 for a Test for the first time since 1896.

"Obviously we feel that that's the right balance for the first Test," said head coach Andy Farrell, adding that Curry was "the engine that we all know that you need in regards to Test match football".