Western Force v British & Irish Lions, Perth
O'Driscoll skippers Lions against Force
Tom Hamilton in Perth
June 3, 2013
Brian O'Driscoll poses after being named as Lions captain for the second match, Langley Park, Perth, June 3, 2013
Brian O'Driscoll will skipper the Lions against the Western Force © Getty Images
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The British & Irish Lions have opted to name an entirely different side for Wednesday night's match against the Western Force in Perth.

With Sam Warburton still out of action, Lions boss Warren Gatland has handed the captaincy to Brian O'Driscoll. Following the Lions' energy-sapping 59-8 win over the Barbarians on Saturday, Gatland has used the opportunity to give 15 fresh-faces their first start of the 2013 tour.

Leigh Halfpenny lines up at fullback for the tourists with his Welsh team-mate George North on one flank with Ireland's Tommy Bowe on the other. O'Driscoll, in his fourth Lions tour, takes the outside centre jersey with England's Manu Tuilagi providing some power at inside centre.

At half-back, Ireland's Jonathan Sexton is named alongside his national team-mate Conor Murray. Rory Best is handed the No.2 jersey with Cian Healy packing down at loose-head and Dan Cole on the other side of the scrum. Alun-Wyn Jones links up with Ian Evans in the second-row while in the back-row, Sean O'Brien starts at openside with Tom Croft at No.6 and Jamie Heaslip anchoring the scrum at No.8.

Gatland is now looking for his team to push on against the Force after their eight-try rout of the Baabaas on Saturday. "There were a lot of positives to come out oft he first match in Hong Kong. Our fitness and application were excellent and we operated well in the set pieces. That said, it was our first match and naturally we were a bit rusty, and there is definitely room for improvement.

"Of course this a completely new team and the challenge is to ensure that the selected players continue the on-field progress we are seeking. With Brian at the helm you can be sure they will be ready to emulate the victory against the Barbarians. This is his fourth Lions tour and he is a respected leader."

British & Irish Lions side: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland, captain), Manu Tuilagi (England), George North (Wales), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Cian Healy (Ireland), Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Alyn Wyn Jones (Wales), Ian Evans (Wales), Tom Croft (England), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland),

Replacements: Tom Youngs (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Matt Stevens (England), Geoff Parling (England), Toby Faletau (Wales), Ben Youngs (England), Owen Farrell (England), Sean Maitland (Scotland)

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Tom Hamilton is the Assistant Editor of ESPNscrum.

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