South African-born prop Pierre Schoeman will pack down in the No 1 jersey for the British & Irish Lions when they take on the Western Force at Optus Stadium in Perth this Saturday — and local rugby fans will be watching closely.
After making his Lions debut off the bench in a narrow 28-24 loss to Argentina in Dublin, Schoeman now earns his first start in a historic jersey. He’ll be anchoring the front row alongside skipper Dan Sheehan and the ever-reliable Tadhg Furlong.
“It’s a huge honour,” said Lions head coach Andy Farrell. “Dan gets the chance to lead the team for the first time, which is massive for him and his family. The boys are excited, prepped, and ready after a solid training week.”
There’s a fresh feel to this Lions lineup, with no fewer than five players — including Sheehan — earning their first starts in the red jersey. Leinster’s Garry Ringrose, explosive wing James Lowe, powerhouse lock Joe McCarthy and tireless flanker Josh van der Flier also step into starting roles for the first time.
Farrell has also named a dynamic bench, with another four set for their Lions bow: props Andrew Porter and Will Stuart, lock Ollie Chessum, and Scottish centre Huw Jones.
The Lions will be wary of the Force, especially under the guidance of Jake White, and are not taking the Aussie franchise lightly.
“Matches like these tend to bring out the best in Super Rugby sides,” Farrell added. “We know the Force will come hard, and we’re expecting a serious test in Perth.”
While memories of the 2013 demolition job — a 69-17 victory over the Force at Subiaco Oval — may still be fresh, this is a different challenge. The Lions are rotating, testing combinations, and building momentum for the meat of their tour.
For South Africans keeping tabs on familiar faces abroad, Schoeman’s selection is a proud moment. The former Bulls front-rower has been a standout in the UK with Edinburgh and is now making waves in the northern hemisphere’s elite setup.
Lions to start against Western Force:
15. Elliot Daly,
14. Mack Hansen,
13. Garry Ringrose,
12. Sione Tuipulotu,
11. James Lowe,
10. Finn Russell,
9. Tomos Williams,
8. Henry Pollock,
7. Josh van der Flier,
6. Tadhg Beirne,
5. Joe McCarthy,
4. Scott Cummings,
3. Tadhg Furlong,
2. Dan Sheehan (captain)
1. Pierre Schoeman
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher,
17. Andrew Porter,
18. Will Stuart,
19. Ollie Chessum,
20. Jack Conan,
21. Alex Mitchell,
22. Huw Jones,
23. Marcus Smith.
This match might just be a warm-up on paper, but for players like Schoeman, it’s a chance to turn heads and stake a claim in a fiercely competitive touring squad. Expect fireworks in Perth.
