Ben Te’o named in Lions team to face Crusaders

Ben Te’o will start at inside centre for the Lions as they face the Crusaders in their third tour match in Christchurch on Saturday (8.35am BST).

The Warriors star lines up alongside Jonathan Davies in midfield, who makes his first appearance of the tour.
 
The Crusaders are unbeaten in Super Rugby this year with 13 straight wins and boast eight All Blacks in their starting line-up.
 
Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland said: “This is an experienced team with nine of the starting 15 players having featured in 2013.
 
“Our squad is working hard and we are seeing improvement in their performances both at training and in the games.
 
“We are looking forward to the clash against the Crusaders and we expect a tough game against the most successful team in Super Rugby history.”

Meanwhile, Valkyries’ Lydia Thompson has been named on the bench for England Women’s opening game of the 2017 International Women’s Rugby Series against Australia on Friday (kick-off 1.30am BST).

British & Irish Lions
15 Stuart Hogg – Glasgow Warriors
14 George North – Northampton Saints
13 Jonathan Davies – Scarlets
12 Ben Te’o – Worcester Warriors
11 Liam Williams – Scarlets
10 Owen Farrell – Saracens
9 Conor Murray – Munster

1 Mako Vunipola – Saracens
2 Jamie George – Saracens
3 Tadhg Furlong – Leinster
4 Alun Wyn Jones (C) – Ospreys
5 George Kruis – Saracens
6 Peter O’Mahony – Munster
7 Sean O’Brien – Leinster
8 Taulupe Faletau – Bath Rugby

Replacements
16 Ken Owens – Scarlets
17 Jack McGrath – Leinster
18 Dan Cole – Leicester
19 Maro Itoje – Saracens
20 CJ Stander – Munster
21 Rhys Webb – Ospreys
22 Johnny Sexton – Leinster
23 Anthony Watson – Bath Rugby


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