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Lions 2013: Stuart Hogg & Richie Gray to face Queensland Reds

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments20

Stuart Hogg (left) and Richie Gray

Two Scots will feature in the British and Irish Lions side against Queensland Reds on Saturday.

Stuart Hogg and Richie Gray, who played in the opening win against the Barbarians, both start in Brisbane.

Sean Maitland, who featured in the tour opener and came off the bench against Western Force, misses out.

Captain Sam Warburton will make his Lions debut after recovering from a knee injury.

The Welsh flanker, 24, missed the first two tour games but has now been declared fit to lead the side.

Wales prop Gethin Jenkins also gets his first outing of the tour after shaking off a calf problem.

There are also first starts for England quartet Ben and Tom Youngs, prop Matt Stevens and lock Geoff Parling.

Warburton missed the 59-8 win against Barbarians in Hong Kong on 1 June and the 69-17 victory over Western Force in Perth on Wednesday with a niggling knee injury picked up in training.

He said: "I wish the game was tomorrow really. Seeing the boys bringing their Lions jerseys back to the hotel after games has been tough, knowing they have that jersey to take home with them.

"I am just dying to get out on the pitch. It can't come quick enough."

Saturday's game is followed by three more warm-up fixtures before the Lions face Australia in the first of a three Test series.

Full team: Stuart Hogg; Alex Cuthbert, Manu Tuilagi, Jonathan Davies, Tommy Bowe; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Gethin Jenkins, Tom Youngs, Matt Stevens, Richie Gray, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau.

Replacements: Hibbard, Vunipola, Jones, O'Connell, Tipuric, Murray, Sexton, North.

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20 comments

  • Comment posted by scrum5, at 19:52 6 Jun 2013

    You could say that, or you could say it reflects the personal knowledge and prejudices of the selectors, thesilentman. There are a few Scots who lost out who in my view would have strengthened the Lions squad, but decisions have been made and there's nowt to done about it. Hope the Lions do well, but we have a strong team in SA which should help us for next 6N and preparation for RWC.

  • Comment posted by U15565363, at 21:56 6 Jun 2013

    Happy these two have got another start each! I thought Gray really put his hand up against the barbarians with a solid performance for the entire 80 minutes, in energy-sapping conditions. I know last match some people, including coaching staff were unhappy with defensive work, and I think Richie is the best all-round second row, whilst Hoggy showed composure in his clearing kicks. Good luck Lions!

  • Comment posted by thesilentman, at 20:51 6 Jun 2013

    Agree Scrum5. I always try to be constructive with my comments, but I bet you there are a few Scots lads bitterly disappointed not to be on the Lions tour!

  • Comment posted by Pio, at 12:50 6 Jun 2013

    Gray has a chance of a start if he continues to improve in the next few games. Hogg wil be on the bench unless Halfpenny is injured. 1/2p is the safe option (and I don't mean that in a negative way) due to his consistency and defence. Hogg better suited to broken play.

  • Comment posted by bluejason, at 12:15 6 Jun 2013

    Agreed @1 but with Halfpenny's reliability with the boot I think he's a shoe-in for the first XV - If Gray can keep up the performance rate he's a good shout to start the first test - big competition in the 2nd row though and so far all are playing well

  • Comment posted by Kenyon, at 10:32 7 Jun 2013

    Liked Hogg's appetite for work during the Barbarians game and looking forward to see how Gray gets along with Parling on the harder/faster pitches in Oz. The centre partnership also looks interesting.

    At least the Reds will offer real opposition with a decent team selection.

    Unfortunately can't see Maitland getting close to the test 22 with North, Cuthbert and Bowe all looking strong thus far.

  • Comment posted by porridge_times, at 10:08 7 Jun 2013

    I'm indifferent to the out come of the Lions matches. Appreciate that in the eyes of some playing for the Lions is a huge honour, but personally find it a bit of a throw back to colonial days.
    As very much preferred to have seen Gray, Maitland and Hogg turning out in SA.

  • Comment posted by U13758055, at 08:57 7 Jun 2013

    Maitland doesn't seem to be getting much of a run, 60 mins vs Baa Baas and 4 mins vs Force. Arguably the most competitive position in the squad but would like to have seen him given another chance early on as he is a little bit different as he is not about power but more pace and steps. Also he is defensively probably the best of the wingers.

  • Comment posted by Dorfl46, at 12:17 6 Jun 2013

    Hogg looks good for a bench place. Halfpenny's kicking performance has probably secured the start, but Hogg can feasibly cover several positions across the 3/4 line and can even play stand off if needed.

  • Comment posted by U14374529, at 12:09 6 Jun 2013

    Not sure but I would say that both Hogg and Gray will be in the test 22. I like the look of Gray and Parling as the test boiler house ( wouldn't pick them against SA!) Shame the front row for Sat is pants...

  • Comment posted by U14344370, at 08:46 8 Jun 2013

    Maitland scored a lot of tries Super Rugby when he played for the Crusaders, and he is probably the fastest man in the Lions squad. Australia are quick and they like to throw the ball around, in broken play Hogg and Maitland are deadly as anyone who has watched Glasgow this season will testify. There are 3 tests and I think we will see a different team in each as injuries take their toll.

  • Comment posted by angloal, at 21:07 7 Jun 2013

    Also concerned that Vunipolu is going to be worn out or injured before the cavalry (Grant, Corbs) and the first Test arrive.

  • Comment posted by angloal, at 20:55 7 Jun 2013

    Just a little concerned that the team to face Reds is lacking in experienced faces if it all starts to go pear-shaped, with SW maybe on his own. No O'Driscoll, no O'Connell, no Roberts, no Phillips.
    However fully expect at least a 20 point win.

  • Comment posted by U2277550, at 18:11 7 Jun 2013

    QZ Reds is going to be a big test but this looks like a good Lions side, although a lot will depend on Farrell which is a gamble.

  • Comment posted by GL1, at 13:52 7 Jun 2013

    they won't bring another 15 in as Maitlanc can cover there. They should be bringing in Hook to cover everywhere bar the wings!

  • Comment posted by APG, at 12:32 7 Jun 2013

    @14 I think people will only reconsider Kearney when he actually plays. Seems to me that its a niggling injury that he's struggling to shake off and it wont surprise me if they call up another 15. Brown / Foden / Byrne ?

  • Comment posted by shimmieandshake, at 12:24 7 Jun 2013

    1) Please everyone stop talking about these players in terms of their nationalities. Who cares if their Scottish, on this tour all that matters is that they're a Lion.

    2) Why's everyone writing Kearney off in the full back contest? Anyone remember '09? He also ended the season strongly with Leinster so if he recovers from his injury and plays well he's right in the mix. Still 1/2p for me though.

  • Comment posted by A rugby lover, at 11:47 7 Jun 2013

    I think the bloggs on here show how fortunate we are. Wingers, any 2 from 3 (I think Maitland will miss out) Centres, we can pick 2 from 4 and will be very good, Back row, whatever 3 are picked they are again very good. In football parlance, these must be selection problems that Gatland loves to have!!!

  • Comment posted by APG, at 10:51 7 Jun 2013

    @11 agree re the wingers

    North just seems to create so much with the momentum he gets. Very glad to actually be supporting him than fearing him!

    Its looking like a straight shoot-out between Cuthbert and Bowe for the other wing. I think Bowe has a bit more to his bow but if Cuthbert keeps finding the try line then he's gonna be on the mind of the selctors

    Perhaps Hogg as the bench option?

  • Comment posted by thesilentman, at 19:12 6 Jun 2013

    Unfortunately, the Scots will be subs at best which really highlights the state of the game in Scotland. Personally, I would have been happier if the 3 Scots had gone to South Africa with the National Team. Our need is greater than the Lions Tour which is really just another excuse to further commercialise the game.

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