Maro Itoje will return to captain the British and Irish Lions against ACT Brumbies on Wednesday, with Andy Farrell naming a strong team as the tourists continue their preparations for three Tests against Australia.

The Lions have registered three wins from three matches since touching down in Australia, beating Western Force 54-7, Queensland Reds 52-12 and NSW Waratahs 21-10.

Itoje joined several other big names in sitting out Saturday's win over the Waratahs, but the England international will join Ireland's Joe McCarthy in the second row at Canberra Stadium.

Blair Kinghorn starts in his preferred full-back role for the first time, while Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki form the midfield pairing, replacing Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu.

Kinghorn is the only player to keep his place from the victory over the Waratahs, having filled in at wing on his maiden Lions start.

The starting XV features eight Ireland internationals with four more on the bench, including Mack Hansen, who was born in Canberra and played for the Brumbies from 2018 to 2021.

Henry Pollock, who withdrew ahead of the Waratahs game after sustaining a calf injury, is also among the replacements, though there is no place for Owen Farrell, who was surprisingly added to the squad to fill in for the injured Elliot Daly last week.

Head coach Andy Farrell told the Lions' website: "In 2013 the Brumbies beat the British and Irish Lions in Canberra and this year they were the leading Australian team in Super Rugby – so we are fully aware of the challenge in front of us.

"It will also be a special occasion for Mack Hansen as he returns to his hometown and gets the opportunity to play for and represent the Lions against some of his old team-mates."

After Wednesday's match, the Lions head to Adelaide to face an Australia and New Zealand invitational XV in their final match before three Tests against the Wallabies, the first of which takes place on July 19.

Our team to face the Brumbies in Canberra! #Lions2025

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 7, 2025

British and Irish Lions team: Blair Kinghorn, Tommy Freeman, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (c), Joe McCarthy, Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Mack Hansen.