- British & Irish Lions 28-10 Japan
- Beard replaces Jones in squad; Navidi replaces Tipuric
The Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray has been named as Warren Gatland’s surprise choice as the new British & Irish Lions captain after Alun Wyn Jones was ruled out with a dislocated shoulder on a disastrous day for the tourists. Justin Tipuric has also been withdrawn with a shoulder injury with the Lions plunged into disarray before flying to South Africa on Sunday.
Murray’s appointment as the new tour captain comes from left field, with Gatland overlooking Maro Itoje, Owen Farrell and Ken Owens as potential replacements for Jones, but the 32-year-old Irishman can be considered a safe pair of hands, having started all three Tests in New Zealand four years ago. In a position in which Gatland does not have great depth, Murray is also one of few players who seem assured of their Test spot at this early stage, though it must be said he was not among the Lions’ best performers in the comfortable four-try victory over Japan on Saturday. His captaincy experience is also limited.
