FORMER Thornbury Bronco Mako Vunipola has been picked for the biggest game of his life on Saturday, the first British and Irish Lions Test against world champions New Zealand.
Vunipola will play at loose-head prop against the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland, and will add a fourth Lions cap to the three he won in Australia four years ago.
The match is considered above anything else in rugby, even a world cup final, as it represents the best of the best from the four home nations in one team.
And to play against the best side in a country which is rugby-mad means it is set to be a huge Clash of the Titans, with the man who grew up and learnt his trade in Thornbury right in the thick of it.
The Lions team, announced on Wednesday evening, will be captained by Irish flanker Peter O’Mahony in a surprise move by head coach Warren Gatland who has selected tour skipper Sam Warburton on the bench.
British and Irish Lions team to face New Zealand in Saturday's first Test in Auckland: L Williams (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o, E Daly; O Farrell (all England), C Murray (Ireland); M Vunipola, J George (both England), T Furlong (Ireland), AW Jones (Wales), G Kruis (England), P O'Mahony (capt), S O'Brien (both Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).
Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler, M Itoje (both England), S Warburton, R Webb (both Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), L Halfpenny (Wales).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article