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Owen Farrell will not face the Maori All Blacks due to injury, so Johnny Sexton starts at fly-half and Peter O’Mahony has been named as captain for the British and Irish Lions’ fifth game of the tour on Saturday.
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Ireland number 10 Sexton has been given the nod to don the number 10 jersey this weekend, with Dan Biggar dropping to the bench and Farrell playing no part due to a grade one quadricep strain he sustained in training.
Peter O’Mahony, the Ireland flanker, will be the fourth player to lead the Lions on the tour of New Zealand, just a week before the first of three Tests against the world champions.
Tour captain Sam Warburton has been named among the replacements for the clash with the Maori All Blacks, with Sean O’Brien given a start along with Maro Itoje.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland said: “Peter is a proven captain with Munster, who never takes a backward step and we believe that those leadership qualities will serve us well on Saturday against a quality and determined Maori All Blacks team.”
Lions team to face the Maori All Blacks: Leigh Halpenny, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Ben Te’o, George North, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Iain Henderson ,Sam Warburton, Greig Laidlaw, Dan Biggar, Elliot Daly.
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