BRITISH and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland has given a clear indication that former Thornbury Bronco Mako Vunipola will start in the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday week by picking him for the unofficial ‘fourth Test’ on Saturday.
Prop Vunipola has been selected in a team for the Maoris All Blacks game which could form the foundations of the Lions first Test side.
Former Gloucester skipper Greig Laidlaw has been chosen on the bench for Saturday’s game but there is still no place for Gloucester back row Ross Moriarty.
British and Irish Lions team to face the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua on Saturday: L Halfpenny (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o (England), G North (Wales); J Sexton, C Murray (both Ireland); M Vunipola, J George (both England), T Furlong (Ireland), M Itoje, G Kruis (both England), P O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).
Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), I Henderson (Ireland), S Warburton (Wales), G Laidlaw (Scotland), D Biggar (Wales), E Daly (England).
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