Stuart Hogg will seek advice from Alun Wyn Jones ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Sigma Lions after being named British and Irish Lions captain for the first fixture on South African soil.
Jones was ruled out of the tour by a dislocated shoulder and while Conor Murray has been appointed as his permanent replacement, it is Hogg who leads the Lions into their Johannesburg opener.
A rollercoaster end to the club season saw Hogg demoted to the bench in the closing stages of Exeter’s Gallagher Premiership title push, but the Scotland skipper is now thrust into the Lions starting XV at the earliest opportunity.
England dominate the pack where they supply five starters in hooker Jamie George, prop Kyle Sinckler, locks Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill and flanker Courtney Lawes as part of a six-strong contingent including Farrell.
Gatland revealed that wing Anthony Watson and fly-half Dan Biggar required pain-killing injections for respective toe and knee injuries.
Next Wednesday’s match against the Sharks has been bought forward by an hour to 6pm to avoid a potential clash should England’s football team reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
