Morgan Set To Miss Out In Lions Series Opener

First Test: Australia v British and Irish Lions

Date: Saturday, 19 July Kick-off: 11:00 BST Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Coverage: Live matter commentary connected nan BBC Sport website and app

England flanker Tom Curry is group to commencement successful nan backmost statement for nan British and Irish Lions successful nan first Test against Australia, pinch Wales' Jac Morgan missing retired connected selection.

Morgan, Wales' only typical successful nan 44-man squad, had been pushing difficult for a spot connected nan open-side flank aft immoderate outstanding performances connected tour.

But Lions leader Andy Farrell is group to opt for Curry's pedigree and acquisition erstwhile nan squad is confirmed connected Thursday.

Meanwhile, it is understood Sione Tuipulotu will commencement astatine wrong centre arsenic portion of an all-Scottish midfield.

The Glasgow centre is expected to statement up in-between fly-half Finn Russell and club-mate Huw Jones.

If confirmed, it will beryllium nan first clip since 1993 1 state has provided nan 10/12/13 axis successful a Lions Test, erstwhile Englishmen Rob Andrew, Will Carling and Jeremy Guscott each played successful nan bid opener against New Zealand.

Elsewhere, Ireland's Tadhg Beirne and England's Ollie Chessum are competing to subordinate Curry and nan Irishman Jack Conan successful nan backmost row..

Jamison Gibson-Park is group to partner Finn Russell astatine half-back, pinch James Lowe, Tommy Freeman and Hugo Keenan nan apt backmost three.

It is besides thought Owen Farrell could miss retired connected nan matchday squad.

Farrell came disconnected nan chair past play against nan Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV, producing a neat cameo successful a thumping Lions victory, and was expected to beryllium successful contention to make nan chair fixed his expertise to play fly-half and centre.

However, it was nan erstwhile England skipper's first crippled successful 10 weeks, pinch suggestions from sources that it is simply a small excessively soon for Farrell to return to nan Test arena.

If Farrell does not make it, compatriot Marcus Smith is group to characteristic among nan replacements.