Staff Reporter.
Stuart Hogg says he will “be his own man” when he leads a new-look British and Irish Lions XV against the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
“I think being captain doesn’t change anything you do,” said Scotland’s Hogg.
“I’ve never been the one to scream and shout and boss people around. I like to lead by the way that I perform.”
Lock Jonny Hill, flanker Hamish Watson, centre Chris Harris and wing Louis Rees-Zammit make their debuts, with 14 changes made from the win over Japan.
Josh Adams retains his place on the wing, while Finn Russell and Owen Farrell form an exciting 10-12 pair.
Lions team to face Emirates Lions: Hogg; Rees-Zammit, Harris, Farrell, Adams; Russell, Price; W Jones, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Lawes, H Watson, Faletau.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Vunipola, Fagerson, Henderson, Simmonds, Davies, Aki, Daly.
“They have worked really well together,” said Lions boss Warren Gatland of Russell and Farrell.
“Owen has had a huge amount of experience on his third Lions tour and as captain of England so he is adding a lot to the environment.
“Finn has a slightly different way of playing but he has matured amazingly in the last few years in terms of his game management.
“It is pretty exciting to have a look at that back combination.”
Gatland added that he intends to give Farrell, who has mostly played at centre for England recently and shifted into a midfield role for the second and third Tests in New Zealand four years ago, a chance to stake his claim at 10 at some point in the tour.