The first Lions selection of a tour is always highly anticipated, and this is certainly no different, although Andy Farrell has had his hands tied somewhat by the fact 15 of his squad only arrived in camp on Monday.

It means he has picked almost exclusively from players who were training in Portugal last week. The centre pairing catches the eye, with Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu considered rivals for the Test number 12 jersey but playing together here, while Marcus Smith is at full-back with Hugo Keenan not in the 23 and Blair Kinghorn unavailable.

There is familiarity in the form of the Northampton half-backs, two of nine Englishmen in the starting XV, but arguably the most significant selection comes on the bench, with Tadgh Furlong named as a replacement.

Furlong was a rock of the Test team on the past two Lions tours, but has been dogged by injury of late. His return to fitness is a huge boost, especially with Zander Fagerson already ruled out.