Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones have been named together in the British and Irish Lions XV for the first time on this tour, reigniting a partnership that’s proven successful both at club and international level. The pair, known affectionately as Huwipulotu among fans of the Glasgow Warriors, will start in the centres this Saturday against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.
The opportunity gives them a real shot at convincing Lions head coach Andy Farrell that they should be the starting pairing for the first Test against Australia on 19th July in Brisbane.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones have rarely had the chance to start together during the tour, with Jones only making his first Lions appearance in Wednesday’s 52–12 win over the Queensland Reds, where he marked the occasion with a try. Tuipulotu, meanwhile, featured in earlier matches against Argentina and Western Force. But this weekend, they finally get to show what they can do as a duo.
“It’s a big moment for us,” said Jones after the team announcement. “We’ve built a lot of trust playing together and it’s great to bring that to the Lions setup.”
The announcement coincided with a major update: Owen Farrell has joined the squad, replacing Elliot Daly, who suffered a fractured arm and will miss the rest of the tour. The 33-year-old fly-half, now heading back to Saracens after a stint in France, brings vast Lions experience with 18 previous appearances across the 2013, 2017, and 2021 tours.
Andy Farrell acknowledged the emotional side of Daly’s exit:
“It is heartbreaking for the group that Elliot’s tour is over. He is a Lions legend,” he said. “Owen will now come in and add to our options and bring his own Lions experience to the group.”
There’s more Scottish presence in the lineup too. Blair Kinghorn, who played all 100 minutes in Toulouse’s Top 14 final win last weekend, makes his Lions debut on the wing. Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman also starts, while Ben White and Scott Cummings are named on the bench.
White, who had been on Scotland’s tour in New Zealand, flew out to join the squad after Tomos Williams was ruled out through injury. Cummings continues his impressive run of form and will look to make an impact off the bench.
Captaincy duties fall to Munster’s Tadhg Beirne, with Maro Itoje rested after leading the side against the Reds.
Farrell was upbeat in his assessment of what’s to come:
“The games are coming thick and fast now as we face a Waratahs side who will want to make their mark,” he said.
The Lions will be looking to build momentum ahead of the Tests, and fans back home will be watching closely to see if the Tuipulotu–Jones connection can translate onto the international stage once again.
For the tour schedule and squad news, you can visit the official British and Irish Lions website.
For more updates on the Lions tour and further insights, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
[Image Credit | Planet Rugby]
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