Loose forward shake-up for B&I Lions

TEAM UPDATE: Britsh ad Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has been forced to change his squad to take on Japan at Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday.

Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby flank Hamish Watson has been replaced by Wales Justin Tipuric in the starting line-up for this Saturday’s clash with Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium for The Lions 1888 Cup.

The Scottish loose forward suffered a concussion in training yesterday and will begin the graduated return-to-play protocol.

The match raises the curtain for the Lions’ eagerly-awaited tour to South Africa, which culminates in a three-Test series against Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.

The Lions’ eight-game Tour to South Africa kicks off on Saturday, July 3 when they play the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Three weeks later, Cape Town Stadium will host the opening Test match of the B&I Lions Series – the first Lions Test in the Mother City since 1997.

British and Irish Lions - revised: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rory Sutherland.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Ali Price, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Anthony Watson.

Date: Saturday, June 26

Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 23.00 JST)

Referee: Pascal Gaüzère

Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset, Ludovic Cayre

TMO: Eric Gauzins