Price to start first Lions Test

Glasgow Warriors scrum-half Ali Price will win his first Test cap for the British and Irish Lions this weekend, after being named to start the series opener against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

The 28-year-old earns a deserved selection from Head Coach Warren Gatland, having stood out in each of his appearances for the men in red on tour to date.

Price was impressive in his most recent outing in Lions colours, maintaining a high tempo throughout Saturday’s clash with the Stormers to help steer his side to a 49-3 victory.

His speed of service and accuracy of box-kicking has been a key asset to Gatland’s men so far on tour, impressing fans, pundits and former players alike.

Price is set to become the first Warrior to earn a Test cap for the British and Irish Lions since 2013, when Richie Gray came off the bench in the series-clinching third Test victory over Australia.

The number nine is one of five Scottish players selected by Gatland and his coaching team, with Duhan van der Merwe, Rory Sutherland, Hamish Watson and former Warrior Stuart Hogg joining Price in the matchday 23.

The match is live on Sky Sports, with commentary also available on Talksport.

SOUTH AFRICA v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

Saturday 24 July 2021
Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 5pm (BST)

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter, Scotland) #783
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816
13. Elliot Daly (Saracens, England) #822
12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #841
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) #843

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales) #842
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter, England) #851
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, England) #825
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (Ospreys, Wales) #761
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, England) #853
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #839

Replacements:

16. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
17. Rory Sutherland (Worcester Warriors, Scotland) #840
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
19. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #838
20. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland) #847
21. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
23. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833