Itoje to face Brumbies as Test team appears to form

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Maro Itoje is set to lead the British and Irish Lions against the Brumbies in Canberra on Wednesday, indicating that Andy Farrell's Test squad is beginning to come together.

Barring a couple of positions, it seems this is predominantly the lineup expected to take on the Wallabies in the first Test in Brisbane on July 19.

"There will always be rumors, but it's essential for the players to showcase their abilities for a place in the Test squad from this point forward," said coach Andy Farrell. "Athletes can earn their spots or lose them, but our focus is on achieving a unified team effort."

Blair Kinghorn is making his debut start in his preferred role at full-back, with Tommy Freeman and James Lowe positioned on the wings. Freeman has moved ahead of early candidate Mack Hansen, who will be on the bench in his city of origin.

It was anticipated that Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki would comprise the Lions backline as their main competitors, Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu, both played against the Waratahs on Saturday.

The Irish centres now appear to be in a strong position for the first Test. Finn Russell and Jamison Gibson-Park are the most secured choices at half-back.

In the front row, Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong have been chosen.

Furlong is a significant player for the Lions, although he hasn't shown his full strength on this tour yet.

Itoje and Joe McCarthy from Ireland serve as the locks, while Ollie Chessum’s strength and skills in the lineout earned him the blindside flanker position.

Tom Curry, who, like Furlong, has not made a strong impression during this tour, will be on the openside flank, taking precedence over Josh van der Flier, who is on the bench, meaning Jac Morgan is left out of the 23.

Jack Conan, the only specialist number eight in the squad, will start against the Brumbies, with Henry Pollock, who withdrew late from the match against the Waratahs, included on the bench.

The substitutes are divided five and three, with Alex Mitchell as Gibson-Park's backup, Marcus Smith available for Russell, and Hansen serving as an option for the back three.

Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, and Will Stuart will be the front-row substitutes, along with back-row players Van der Flier and Pollock.

Lions team to compete against the ACT Brumbies

British and Irish Lions: Kinghorn, Freeman, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Genge, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, McCarthy, Chessum, Curry, Conan

Substitutes: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Van der Flier, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith, Hansen