O’Driscoll to captain Lions against Force

Brian O’Driscoll will lead the British & Irish Lions against the Force in Perth on Wednesday in a side that shows 15 new faces.
The clash against the Super Rugby strugglers will be the first on Australian soil in this tour ahead of the three-match Test Series against the Wallabies starting on June 22.
With Sam Warburton still out of action injured, Lions head coach Warren Gatland has handed the captaincy to the Irish veteran who will partner England powerhouse Manu Tuilagi in the midfield.
Welshmen Leigh Halfpenny and George North and Ireland’s Tommy Bowe will form a potent back three outside O’Driscoll and Tuilagi while the attack will be lead by Irish half-backs Jonny Sexton and Conor Murray.
Rory Best, who was added to the squad after Dylan Hartley‘s ban, gets the nod ahead of Tom Youngs at hooker with Cian Healy and Dan Cole either side of him.
Alun-Wyn Jones links up with Ian Evans in the engine room while in the back-row, Tom Croft gets the opportunity to show what he can bring to the equation with Leinster duo Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip next to him.
Gatland is now looking for his team to push on against the Force after their eight-try 59-8 rout of the Barbarians on Saturday.
He said: “There were a lot of positives to come out oft he first match in Hong Kong. Our fitness and application were excellent and we operated well in the set pieces. That said, it was our first match and naturally we were a bit rusty, and there is definitely room for improvement.
“Of course this a completely new team and the challenge is to ensure that the selected players continue the on-field progress we are seeking. With Brian at the helm you can be sure they will be ready to emulate the victory against the Barbarians. This is his fourth Lions tour and he is a respected leader.”
British & Irish Lions: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales); Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland, Capt.), Manu Tuilagi (England), George North (Wales); Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland); Cian Healy (Ireland), Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England); Alyn Wyn Jones (Wales), Ian Evans (Wales); Tom Croft (England), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland).
Replacements: Tom Youngs (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Matt Stevens (England), Geoff Parling (England), Toby Faletau (Wales), Ben Youngs (England), Owen Farrell (England), Sean Maitland (Scotland).