England lock Geoff Parling will lead the side, one of four members of the Test bench to be picked in the pack to face opposition led by one-time Wales NoSTnS8 Gareth Delve. Parling was on the field in suspense by the time Kurtley Beale missed the kick that would have won the Test, so ensuring a second triumph for the Leicester man after his wife Elle had given birth to a daughter, May, in his absence last Thursday.
Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole and Dan Lydiate are the others joining Parling, whose impressive tour has produced a significant challenge to Alun Wyn Jones and Paul O’Connell as the Test second-row partnership and has taken him ahead of Ian Evans and Richie Gray in the pecking order.
“I am very pleased to be starting this game,†said Parling. “As a player, no one likes to be on the bench no matter what sort of game or how big it is. This is a major opportunity for those who are playing.
“It’s important to keep the momentum going. The last midweek game didn’t go to plan, so we have a point to prove. It could be our last chance to put ourselves in the frame. You are only going to press your claim if the team do well. You are pulling that shirt on again, no matter if it’s a Test or not.
“For the guys who haven’t had as much game-time as they would have liked, it’s a massive opportunity.â€
Lions (v Melbourne): R Kearney; S Maitland, M Tuilagi, B Barritt, S Zebo; O Farrell, C Murray; R Grant, R Hibbard, D Cole, R Gray, G Parling (capt), D Lydiate, S O’Brien, T Faletau. Replacements: R Best, T Court, M Stevens, I Evans, J Tipuric, B Youngs, W Twelvetrees, S Hogg.
Kick-off: Tomorrow, 10.40am. TV: Sky Sports 1.
Article source: http://asia.eurosport.com/rugby-league/lowes-leaves-england-role_sto3816452/story.shtml
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