After countless debates over team selection, stretching back to Six Nations prior to even the most recent edition, it's finally here. Warren Gatland has named the Lions team for the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday at Eden Park.
Peter O'Mahony captains the side, with Warburton on the bench. Elsewhere, Johnny Sexton is on the bench, with Owen Farrell profiting. there are four Irish starting: O'Mahony, O'Brien, Murray and Furlong.
Jack McGrath is beside Sexton on the bench. A couple of surprises: Alun-Wyn Jones starts ahead of Maro Itoje, while Liam Williams is preferred at full-back to Leigh Halfpenny.
Lions team for the first Test
15. Liam Williams – Scarlets, Wales, #833
14. Anthony Watson – Bath Rugby, England, #816
13. Jonathan Davies – Scarlets, Wales, #778
12. Ben Te’o – Worcester Warriors, England, #815
11. Elliot Daly – Wasps, England, #822
10. Owen Farrell – Saracens, England, #780
9. Conor Murray – Munster, Ireland, #790
1. Mako Vunipola – Saracens, England, #787
2. Jamie George – Saracens, England, #819
3. Tadhg Furlong – Leinster, Ireland, #818
4. Alun Wyn Jones – Ospreys, Wales, #761
5. George Kruis – Saracens, England, #817
6. Peter O’Mahony (capt) – Munster, Ireland, #832
7. Sean O’Brien – Leinster, Ireland, #796
8. Taulupe Faletau – Bath Rugby, Wales, #779
Replacements
16. Ken Owens – Scarlets, Wales, #829
17. Jack McGrath – Leinster, Ireland, #827
18. Kyle Sinckler – Harlequins, England, #814
19. Maro Itoje – Saracens, England, #825
20. Sam Warburton – Cardiff Blues, Wales, #800
21. Rhys Webb – Ospreys, Wales, #820
22. Johnny Sexton – Leinster, Ireland, #791
23. Leigh Halfpenny – Toulon, Wales, #775
Earlier this evening, the All Blacks named their starting side, and it features fit-again captain Kieran Read, hooker Dane Coles, and Jack Nowell's tormentor-in-chief, Rieko Ioane.
