British and Irish Lions bank on fresh energy and flair as Sheehan captains debut-heavy side in Perth curtain-raiser
There’s something undeniably electrifying about the start of a British and Irish Lions tour. The jerseys are fresh, the combinations untested, and every fixture brims with opportunity. On Saturday, in the sunlit expanse of Optus Stadium in Perth, Dan Sheehan will lead a new-look Lions team into their first match on Australian soil against the Western Force, and the message is clear: the Lions are here to entertain.
The decision to hand the captain’s armband to Ireland hooker Sheehan is both bold and unsurprising. Still just 25, Sheehan is not only a dominant force in the set-piece but one of the most dangerous hookers in world rugby when the ball is in play. His ability to explode through contact, offload in traffic, and boss the breakdown makes him a natural leader — and perhaps, a future Test captain.
Fresh Faces and New Combinations
Of the 15 players named in the starting XV, five will be making their Lions debut: Sheehan himself, plus Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy, and Josh van der Flier — all from Leinster’s production line of excellence. They’ll be joined on the pitch by four more debutants off the bench, including exciting lock Ollie Chessum, dynamic centre Huw Jones, and props Andrew Porter and Will Stuart.
At number eight, Henry Pollock is the name catching attention. The teenage sensation from Northampton made waves off the bench last week against Argentina. Now, he’s trusted with a starting jersey in the back row, and there’s a quiet buzz around what he might offer — energy, instinct, and maybe even a touch of stardust.
The Lions’ backline, meanwhile, carries plenty of intrigue. Finn Russell, the mercurial Bath playmaker, starts at fly-half. Few players in world rugby can shift the tone of a match quite like him. He’s maturing into the role of a commander, not just a creator. This is his moment to run the show.
Inside him, Tomos Williams gets a deserved start at scrum-half after an energetic showing off the bench in Dublin. There’s something about Williams’ tempo and instinct that screams ‘bolter’. This is a huge chance to stake his claim for the Tests.
Midfield Magic & Wing Wizards
The centre pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Garry Ringrose is another headline grabber. Ringrose brings composure and class at 13, while Tuipulotu — moved from outside to inside centre — returns to his most natural position. The Scotland star brings power, vision, and a canny understanding of the game’s finer margins. Together, they could form a Test combination in the making.
Out wide, the Lions have gone with Irish flair. Mack Hansen and James Lowe aren’t just crowd favourites — they’re two of the most intelligent and inventive wingers in the modern game. Hansen’s elusive running and Lowe’s left-footed kicking and physical edge offer dual threats. If the Lions backs click, they could light up Perth in style.
At full-back, Elliot Daly returns to the fray. With Hugo Keenan not yet fit, Daly gets the nod, and brings with him years of experience and a left boot capable of swinging matches. He’s one of the few players who can slot in anywhere in the backline and still deliver.
A New-Look Pack With Something to Prove
The forwards offer a mix of muscle and mobility. Alongside Sheehan in the front row are Pierre Schoeman and Tadhg Furlong — the latter one of the world’s best tightheads when fully fit. Behind them, Scott Cummings and Joe McCarthy combine in the engine room, with Cummings returning to Lions contention after a solid domestic season.
Tadhg Beirne, a standout against Argentina, shifts from second row to blindside flanker, forming a formidable back row with Van der Flier and the young Pollock. Beirne’s versatility is a major asset, and Farrell clearly values his leadership, even if he hasn’t handed him the captaincy.
Farrell’s Selection Philosophy Taking Shape
Andy Farrell has made no secret of his desire to play attacking rugby on this tour. This selection underlines that ambition. It’s youthful, dynamic, and full of players who can break games open.
That said, there are still absentees. Jamison Gibson-Park and Hugo Keenan are not yet match-fit. But their looming return will only deepen Farrell’s options as the tour progresses.
The Western Force, to be fair, are not the strongest opposition the Lions will face — they’re the lowest-ranked of the Australian provincial sides. But that only adds pressure on this group to deliver. The tone must be set early, and the Lions will know that anything less than a statement performance could raise uncomfortable questions.
A Glimpse Into the Test Team?
It’s early days, but there are signs here that Farrell is experimenting with potential Test combinations. Russell at 10, Tuipulotu at 12, Ringrose at 13 — that could easily be a blueprint for the opening Test. Likewise, Sheehan at hooker and Beirne in the back row feel like likely starters if form holds.
There’s still plenty of rugby to be played, but for now, this match offers the first real clues about Farrell’s vision. Expect fireworks, especially from Russell and the backline. But also watch the leadership of Sheehan. He might just be the figure who holds it all together.
The First Step on a Long Road
The Lions‘ Australian journey begins on Saturday. And while this is just the opening match, history tells us that these early games matter. They build confidence. They breed belief. And they set the standard.
For Dan Sheehan, it’s a chance to prove he’s not just the world’s best hooker, but a captain ready to lead from the front.
For Liam Williams, Henry Pollock, Finn Russell and the rest, it’s about grabbing a rare opportunity with both hands.
For Lions fans, it’s time to buckle in. If this starting XV is any indication, this tour could be a thrill ride.
