Owen Farrell and Henry Pollock have missed out on a call up for the British and Irish Lions as Andy Farrell announced his squad for the first test against Australia on Saturday.
Welsh players have been completely omitted from the matchday squad, marking the first time since 1896 that the Lions have faced Australia, New Zealand or South Africa without a representative from the Principality.
Owen Farrell has missed out on the matchday 23 entirely, despite receiving a dramatic mid-tour call-up and delivering an encouraging performance against an AUNZ Invitational side in Adelaide last Saturday.
Finn Russell will start at fly-half, partnering with centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones.
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|Owen Farrell has missed out on the squad entirely
This marks the first occasion the Lions have fielded this particular Scottish trio in these positions. Andy Farrell's selection sees Scotland provide the entire playmaking axis.
The three Scots will line up behind a half-back pairing that sees Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half. Hugo Keenan takes the full-back position, with Tommy Freeman and James Lowe on the wings.
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Ireland have dominated the selection with eight players in the starting XV and three additional players on the bench. England contribute four starters and five replacements to the squad.
The forward pack features a strong Irish presence, with captain Maro Itoje partnering Joe McCarthy in the second row. The front row comprises Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.
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|Maro Itoje will captain the British and Irish Lions against Australia
Jac Morgan, who had been Wales's primary hope for selection, failed to secure a place in the 23.
Tom Curry has secured the number seven jersey following intense competition for the position, beating both Morgan and Ireland's Josh van der Flier to the starting role. Tadhg Beirne earned selection at blindside flanker, with Ollie Chessum having to settle for a place on the bench despite mounting a compelling case for inclusion.
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The full squad for the test against Australia:
British & Irish Lions XV: Ellis Genge (England), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England, captain), Joe McCarthy (Ireland), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Jack Conan (Ireland), Jamieson Gibson-Park (Ireland), Finn Russell (Scotland), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Huw Jones (Scotland), James Lowe (Ireland), Tommy Freeman (England), Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher (Ireland), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Will Stuart (England, Ollie Chessum (England), Ben Earl (England), Alex Mitchell (England), Marcus Smith (England), Bundee Aki (Ireland)
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|Andy Farrell was forced to make some tough choices in his squad
After a loss to Argentina in June, the Lions have bounced back to win their five remaining pre-test matches, with a positive feeling leading into the first test on Saturday.
The British and Irish Lions will face Australia on Saturday in Brisbane for the first of three test matches against the Wallabies.