British and Irish Lions team: Henry Pollock starts with Dan Sheehan captain against Western Force

British and Irish Lions team: Henry Pollock starts with Dan Sheehan captain against Western Force

Henry Pollock will make his first start for the British and Irish Lions against the Western Force this weekend.

The budding Northampton Saints and England star lines up at number eight in Perth as one of 13 changes made by head coach Andy Farrell to the side who lost 28-24 to Argentina in a farewell fixture in Dublin last week.

With captain Maro Itoje not in the squad for Saturday鈥檚 tour opener at Optus Stadium, the team is skippered by Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan, making his first Lions appearance.

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu and Ireland鈥檚 Tadhg Beirne are the only players to retain their starting berths from that shock defeat by the Pumas in the 1888 Cup, with Tuipulotu shifting to his familiar position at inside centre and Beirne moving from the second row to blindside flanker.

鈥淲e have had a good week of training and all of the travel and time zone changes have been managed really well, so we are good to go,鈥 said Farrell.

鈥淒an Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family – so congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut.

鈥淲e know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best.鈥

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