Sharks pair Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry will start for the British and Irish Lions on Friday night as Andy Farrell’s side kick off their summer by facing Argentina in Dublin (8pm KO).
The Lions will travel to Australia for three test matches in July, but first Farrell’s side will face the Pumas in the 1888 Cup at the Aviva Stadium.
Saracens and England lock Maro Itoje, who is set for his third tour, will captain the side for the very first time in what is the Lions’ first ever fixture on Irish soil.
In total 14 players could make their Lions debut, whilst two-times tourists Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, Curry, Marcus Smith and Duhan van der Merwe all featured in South Africa in 2021.
The Lions can also call on the experience of three-times tourists Elliot Daly and Tadhg Furlong off the bench.
Lions Head Coach Farrell said: “Congratulations to Maro Itoje ahead of leading out the Lions for the first time – it is a truly special moment and one that very few players ever get to experience.
“Maro has led the group well during our time in Portugal and then Dublin this week. This is also our first opportunity to show what the 2025 Lions are about and what we want to stand for as a team.
“We know that Argentina will challenge us up front and out wide – so Friday night will be a tough contest, but also a great occasion for all the fans.”
The British & Irish Lions v Argentina
15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins/ England) #855
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints/England)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby/Ireland) #837
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland) #841
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints/England)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints/England)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears/England)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks/England) #851
3. Finlay Bealham (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens/England) #825 (c)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland) #838
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks/England) #853
7. Jac Morgan (Ospreys/Wales)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens/England)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster Rugby/Ireland)
17. Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby/Scotland)
18. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland) #818
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/ Scotland)
20. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints/England)
21. Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby/Wales)
22. Elliot Daly (Saracens/England) #822
23. Mack Hansen (Connacht Rugby/Ireland)
