Australia team news: Tom Lynagh to start at fly-half in first Lions Test

Fly-half Tom Lynagh will emulate his father, the Wallaby great Michael, when he starts for Australia in Saturday’s first Test against the British and Irish Lions.

In the absence of regular starter Noah Lolesio, Lynagh, 22, will win his fourth cap at the Suncorp Stadium, wearing number 10 as Michael did in the 1989 series against the Lions.

With key forward Rob Valetini missing with a calf problem, Champion de Crespigny makes his debut on the flank with Harry Wilson captaining from number eight.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the 21-year-old cross-code superstar, partners Len Ikitau in the midfield, but there is no place in the squad for giant lock Will Skelton.

“The whole squad has worked hard as a group to prepare for what’s going to a massive challenge against an in-form Lions team,” said Australia head coach Joe Schmidt.

Loose-head prop Angus Bell is held back on the bench, with the experienced James Slipper starting instead while, with Skelton absent, Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams are in the second row.

Schmidt says both Valetini and Skelton were close to selection as they recover from their calf injuries.

“They were right on the edge, if it was last game of series they probably would have played but you can’t try and push them,” he explained.

Schmidt has made four changes from the starting XV that edged past Fiji 21-18 earlier this month, after which the Australia boss played down his side’s chances of beating the Lions in the three-Test series.

“We didn’t play well enough for people to have the expectation that we’re going to come bowling into Brisbane and knock the Lions over,” Schmidt said at the time.