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Seven Irish players in the Lions starting 15 to face Japan

Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong has been drafted into the Lions starting 15 for Saturday's warm-up ga...



Leinster prop Tadhg Furlong has been drafted into the Lions starting 15 for Saturday's warm-up game against Japan at Murrayfield.

Furlong had originally named on the bench but an injury to Scotland prop Zander Fagerson means there will be seven Ireland internationals in the team this weekend.

Warren Gatland was forced to make the change when Fagerson suffered a back spasm but it's not an injury that will keep the Glasgow Warrior's forward sidelined for the next game.

Gatland said: "It's a shame for Zander not to be able to run out at Murrayfield as a Lion, but he’s not quite 100%.

"He’ll get a chance to start in the next two games and stake a claim for a Test spot in South Africa, so it’s not worth the risk."

England's Kyle Sinckler has been added to the replacements and it's the second time this week that Gatland has had to change the team he named on Tuesday, with Justin Tipuric replacing Hamish Watson.

The match on Saturday kicks off at 3pm and can be heard live on Off The Ball.

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Japan Lions Murrayfield Off The Ball Tadhg Furlong Vodafone Warren Gatland Zander Fagerson