Dan Sheehan To Captain Lions As Farrell Rings The Changes For Western Force
Dan Sheehan To Captain Lions As Farrell Rings The Changes For Western Force
Dan Sheehan captains the Lions on debut, as Andy Farrell overhauls the squad for its 2025 tour match against Western Force in Perth, Australia.
Dan Sheehan will captain the British and Irish Lions for the first time in his debut, as head coach Andy Farrell makes sweeping changes to the squad for Saturday’s clash against the Western Force in Perth, Australia.
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Following a disappointing 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin last week, Farrell has made 13 changes to the starting XV, naming an almost entirely new lineup for what will be the Lions’ first match on Australian soil in the 2025 tour.
Only center Sione Tuipulotu and flanker Tadhg Beirne retain their starting roles, with Beirne shifting from lock to blindside flanker.
Hooker Sheehan, one of eight Irishmen in the starting lineup, will lead the side out in his first career appearance in a Lions jersey — a rare honor and a clear show of confidence from Farrell in the 25-year-old’s leadership.
“We’ve 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,” Farrell said. “Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side, which is a great honor for him and his family.”
The back three sees a complete reshuffle, with Elliot Daly starting at full-back, flanked by Irish wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe.
In the midfield, Tuipulotu shifts to inside center to accommodate the returning Garry Ringrose, while fly-half Finn Russell takes over the No. 10 jersey, partnering with Welsh scrumhalf Tomos Williams — the only representative from Wales in the starting lineup.
Up front, Sheehan is flanked by prop pairing Pierre Schoeman and Tadhg Furlong.
The second row features Scotland’s Scott Cummings and Ireland’s Joe McCarthy.
Beirne’s move to the back row sees him join Josh van der Flier at openside and Henry Pollock at No. 8.
The bench is a blend of experience and potential, with Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter and Will Stuart covering the front row.
England’s Ollie Chessum and Ireland’s Jack Conan provide second- and back-row options, while Alex Mitchell, Huw Jones and Marcus Smith round out the replacements.
Farrell’s selection ensures that only four of the 38-man touring squad will not have featured in the Lions’ opening two fixtures: fullbacks Hugo Keenan (calf) and Blair Kinghorn (Top 14 final), scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park (glute) and lock James Ryan.
“We know the quality and experience the Force have,” Farrell said. “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.”
British and Irish Lions XV To Face Western Force
15 Elliot Daly, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Henry Pollock, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Joe McCarthy, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan (captain), 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Huw Jones, 23 Marcus Smith.
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