By Paul Jones

Late call-ups Josh Navidi and Adam Beard will make their Lions debuts on Wednesday when the tourists face the Sharks in Johannesburg.

The Wales pair – who replaced Justin Tipuric and captain Alun Wyn Jones after injuries in the match against Japan – will make their bows for the British and Irish Lions in their second game on South African soil.

Flanker Navidi of the Cardiff Blues and Ospreys lock Beard will join Tom Curry, of Sale Sharks and  England, in wearing the Lions shirt for the first time at Ellis Park, now called Emirates Airline Park (kick off 6pm BST).

Ulster and Ireland forward Iain Henderson will captain the Lions for the first time, while tour captain Conor Murray is named amongst the replacements.

Five Welsh players will start, including half-back pairing Dan Biggar and Gareth Davies, plus full-back Liam Williams.

The game, which will be shown live on Sky Sports, is the second of eight tour matches in the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series which culminates with three Tests against the world champions, the Springboks.

 

TEAM NEWS 🦁

Here is our #LionsRugby team to face the @TheSharksZA on Wednesday 💪

Read more below 👇#CastleLionsSeries #LionsSA2021

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 5, 2021

“It’s a quick turnaround from Saturday, but we’ll be ready to go by Wednesday night,” said Lions head coach Warren Gatland.

“I’m pleased we managed to come through the weekend’s game unscathed, and the boys have rested and recovered well. We feel like we’re slowly building, but, as ever, there’s still room for improvement in all facets of our game.

“Wednesday night is another chance for us to have a look at a few more combinations.

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“I’m looking forward to seeing how the back row goes; it’s an exciting mixture and one that we hope will offer something a bit different.

“We expect another physical test against a side who are known for their power play and ambition.

“My congratulations to Tom, Josh and Adam ahead of their first starts in a Lions jersey.”

 

CELL C SHARKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

Wednesday 7 July 2021

Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 6pm (BST)

 

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833
16. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816
17. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
18. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland) #837
19. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
20. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets, Wales) #850
22. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, England) #787
23. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, England) #851
24. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #848
25. Iain Henderson – Captain (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
26. Adam Beard (Ospreys, Wales)
27. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
28. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England)
29. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, England) #849

 

Replacements:

16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
17. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840
18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838
20. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839
21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790
22. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs, Scotland) #783
23. Chris Harris (Gloucester Rugby, Scotland) #844

 

Full 2021 Tour schedule:

 

• Saturday 3 July: Emirates Lions v The British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Wednesday 7 July: Cell C Sharks v The British & Irish Lions (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg) KO 19h00 (SAT) / 18h00 (BST)
• Saturday 10 July: Vodacom Bulls v The British & Irish Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Wednesday 14 July: South Africa ‘A’ v The British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 20h00 (SAT) / 19h00 (BST)
• Saturday 17 July: DHL Stormers v The British & Irish Lions (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 24 July: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (1^st Test, Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 31 July: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (2^nd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST)
• Saturday 7 Aug: Springboks v The British & Irish Lions (3^rd Test, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg) KO 18h00 (SAT) / 17h00 (BST