Paul O’Connell will captain the British & Irish Lions in their opening match of the tour of South Africa when the tourists meet the Royal XV in Phokeng, near Rustenburg, on Saturday.

The Irish and Munster lock is joined in the starting line-up by Lions veteran Ronan O’Gara, while Keith Earls and Tommy Bowe make their Lions debuts in the backs.

Nine players will make their Lions run-on debuts including the centre pairing of 21-year-old Irishman Earls, who is the youngest player on tour in South Africa, and 22-year-old Welsh centre Jamie Roberts.

Commenting on the team selection, coach Ian McGeechan said: ‘For young men such as Keith Earls and Jamie Roberts it will be a day to remember and they will be thrilled to get an early taste of match action on the tour. Outside these guys is the proven experienced c0mbination of the Ospreys’ back three of Byrne, Bowe and Shane Williams.’

‘On Saturday we have in the team Martyn Williams, Ronan O’Gara and Simon Shaw who are on their third Lions tour. They know exactly what is in store in terms of the provincial matches. Scottish captain Mike Blair is at scrum-half, while players of the calibre of Paul O’Connell, Joe Worsley and Adam Jones have played over 50 Tests each.