The Lions are now into their second week on tour after convincingly putting away the Sigma Lions 56-14 over the weekend, which featured Bath Rugby's number 8 Taulupe Faletau.

The Bath Rugby back Anthony Watson, has already featured in this tour, coming off the bench in the Lions’ first home game since 2005, against Japan in the opening weekend of the tour.

Watson, Lion number #816, is on his second tour for the Lions and has already made 7 appearances for the touring side, 3 of which are tests caps after starting all 3 tests against the All Blacks in 2017.

The Englishman is named alongside fellow previous tourist Liam Williams at fullback and Scotlands Duhan van der Merwe. Elsewhere Tom Curry, Josh Navidi and Adam Beard will make their Lions debuts, whilst Luke Cowan-Dickie, Gareth Davies, Zander Fagerson and Sam Simmonds make their run-on debut.

“It’s a quick turnaround from Saturday, but we’ll be ready to go by Wednesday night,” said Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland.

“I’m pleased we managed to come through the weekend’s game unscathed, and the boys have rested and recovered well. We feel like we’re slowly building, but, as ever, there’s still room for improvement in all facets of our game.

“Wednesday night is another chance for us to have a look at a few more combinations. I’m looking forward to seeing how the back row goes; it’s an exciting mixture and one that we hope will offer something a bit different.

“We expect another physical test against a side who are known for their power play and ambition.”

THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TEAM TO FACE THE EMIRATES LIONS

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833, 14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816, 13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822, 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837 , 11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841, 10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821 , 9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) #850; 1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851, 3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #848, 4. Iain Henderson – Captain (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808, 5. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales), 6. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales), 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England), 8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849

Replacements

16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829, 17. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840, 18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818 , 19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838, 20.Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839, 21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790, 22. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783, 23. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844

Anthony Watson to start in Sharks clash | Castle Lager Lions Series

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