Ireland’s Dan Sheehan will captain the British and Irish Lions in their first match on Australian soil, facing the Western Force in Perth. With nine debutants named in the matchday squad, including Sheehan himself, the Lions are embracing new energy and leadership as head coach Andy Farrell builds momentum for the summer tour.
A new era begins in Perth
The British and Irish Lions kick off their Australian adventure on Saturday with a youthful, dynamic squad brimming with fresh faces. Hooker Dan Sheehan, regarded by many as the best in his position in the game today, has been handed the captaincy—a significant gesture by head coach Andy Farrell and a clear indication of the leadership group’s evolving identity.
Sheehan, known for his blend of raw power and technical finesse, will lead a side featuring five players making their Lions debut in the starting XV, all of whom play alongside him at Leinster: Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy, and Josh van der Flier. Four more players—Ollie Chessum, Huw Jones, Andrew Porter, and Will Stuart—are set to earn their first Lions caps from the bench.
Farrell, speaking ahead of the match, was full of praise for Sheehan’s temperament: “He will 100% do the job justice by just being himself. He’s a calming influence who understands pressure, and I believe the responsibility will only elevate his game.”
Sheehan steps up in Itoje’s absence
With seasoned leader Maro Itoje rested for the weekend, the decision to name Sheehan as captain may not have been surprising, but it is still significant. In a team where potential leaders abound—Tuipulotu and Tadhg Beirne among them—Sheehan’s appointment highlights both his consistency and his standing among peers.
The 25-year-old has built a reputation not only for his work rate in the loose and devastating ball-carrying, but also for his composure in high-pressure situations. Farrell believes Sheehan’s presence will inspire confidence: “He’s not a captain who will throw out empty slogans. He plays with purpose, leads by example, and brings clarity to those around him.”
There’s already talk in some circles of Sheehan potentially emerging as a standout figure across the tour. If early indications hold, this could be the series where he firmly establishes himself not only as a world-class hooker but also as a long-term leader.
Blending youth and experience
This Lions squad is unmistakably forward-looking. Alongside debutants, the selection includes tour veterans like Finn Russell, who will steer the ship at fly-half after making three appearances on the 2021 tour to South Africa. He will partner scrum-half Tomos Williams, who impressed in a brief but lively cameo during last week’s narrow defeat to Argentina in Dublin.
The midfield sees a new combination, with Ringrose joining Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu—one of only two players, alongside Beirne, to retain a starting spot from the Argentina Test. Both have been shifted from their previous roles: Tuipulotu moves from outside to inside centre, while Beirne drops from lock to blindside flanker.
This positional flexibility reflects Farrell’s intent to test combinations while keeping the team sharp. Elliot Daly returns at full-back in the absence of the injured Hugo Keenan, while teenage back-rower Henry Pollock, a rising star from Northampton, earns his first start at number eight after a promising debut off the bench.
Opportunity knocks for Lions hopefuls
The match against the Western Force is more than a tour opener—it’s a crucial audition for players hoping to cement their roles ahead of tougher fixtures to come. For the debutants, it’s a chance to make a lasting impression in the famous red jersey.
Particular attention will be on Joe McCarthy in the second row and Garry Ringrose in midfield. Both are returning from injury-hit seasons and have the tools to become central figures on this tour. Likewise, James Lowe’s inclusion signals Farrell’s desire for attacking flair from the back three.
On the bench, Ollie Chessum will provide impact with his trademark physicality, while Porter and Stuart offer a mix of power and reliability in the front row. Scotland’s Huw Jones, a consistent performer in recent Six Nations campaigns, will look to add punch in the centres when called upon.
Farrell’s vision taking shape
This Lions squad may not yet have the established star power of previous tours, but Farrell is clearly invested in developing depth and cohesion early. With several players carrying minor injuries and a long tour ahead, the first few games provide a window to experiment, rotate, and build culture.
While much attention will fall on Sheehan’s leadership debut, this match is equally about how the group performs under unfamiliar conditions, in a high-profile away fixture. The Western Force may not match the firepower of the Wallabies, but as hosts, they will offer a stern test of set-piece and defensive structure.
More than anything, Saturday’s match is a symbolic moment—a changing of the guard for the Lions, a side rooted in tradition but now pushing toward the future with fresh ideas and fearless players. And in Dan Sheehan, they may have found a modern leader to guide them there.
British and Irish Lions to face Western Force:
Backs: Daly, Hansen, Ringrose, Tuipulotu, Lowe, Russell, Williams
Forwards: Schoeman, Sheehan (capt), Furlong, Cummings, McCarthy, Beirne, Van der Flier, Pollock
Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Stuart, Chessum, Conan, Mitchell, Jones, M Smith
