Lions select strong side for Brumbies clash as Test series comes into focus

Maro Itoje, centre, captains a Lions team featuring half-backs Finn Russell, left, and Jamison Gibson-Park (Jason O’Brien/PA) -

Andy Farrell has named his strongest British and Irish team Lions team yet with Wednesday’s match against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra shaping up to be a dry run for the first Test against Australia.

Maro Itoje leads the side as part of a second-row partnership with Joe McCarthy and across the starting XV there are picks considered first choice, including half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell.