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Rory Best will captain the Lions against the Chiefs

Rory Best practices his throwing during the British & Irish Lions captain's run held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium
Image: Rory Best will skipper the Lions on Tuesday

Rory Best will captain the British and Irish Lions against the Chiefs, with Sam Warburton's omission a boost in the Wales flanker's bid for first Test selection.

Lions boss Warren Gatland has vowed to protect the potential squad for Saturday's first All Blacks Test by keeping the brunt of the 23 that were involved against New Zealand Maori out of the firing line against the Chiefs on Tuesday.

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Tour skipper Warburton is scrapping for full fitness after ankle trouble - but Gatland's decision to hold him back from facing the Chiefs indicates the Wales back-rower can still squeeze himself into the 23 for the first Test.

Tuesday's clash will represent the last chance for any of those involved to change Gatland's thinking ahead of the first showdown with the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.

The Lions tour live only on Sky Sports
The Lions tour live only on Sky Sports

Watch every match from the British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand live only on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports today!

The Lions' six mid-tour call-ups will all be on the bench for Tuesday's Chiefs clash in Hamilton.

Wales quartet Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis have made the short trip from Auckland to link up with the Lions.

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Highlights of the Maori All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions in Rotorua

Scotland's Allan Dell and Finn Russell have jetted in from Australia and will also provide cover among the replacements.

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The starting back three of Liam Williams, Jack Nowell and Elliot Daly could still be fighting it out for a seat on the bench for the Test opener.

Ireland's bullish flanker CJ Stander will also want to press his own claims to be in the back-row picture for the Test.

But Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Taulupe Faletau remain the favourites to start in the back row against the All Blacks.

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 10:  Alun-Wyn Jones of the Lions charges towards Luke Romano of the Crusaders during the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour m
Image: Alun-Wyn Jones will be itching to come off the bench

Wales lock Alun Wyn Jones takes a seat on the bench and will be itching to respond after Maro Itoje and George Kruis impressed in Saturday's 32-10 win over the Maori All Blacks.

"We are five games into the Tour and there is still a lot to play for," said Gatland.

"Those involved on Tuesday will be playing not only for themselves in terms of further selection but also for the whole squad."

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Sir Ian McGeechan picks his Lions XV to face New Zealand in the first Test next Saturday in Eden Park

Gatland's selections reveal at least part of his plans for Saturday's first Test against New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park.

The bulk of the side that ground the Maori All Blacks into submission on Saturday will now head the queue to face Steve Hansen's New Zealand this weekend.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JUNE 01: Elliot Daly looks on during the British & Irish Lions training session held at the QBE Stadium on June 1, 2017 in Auckland
Image: Elliot Daly could force his way into the starting test back three on Tuesday

"We are here to win a Test series and we have brought cover for the replacements bench so we can limit the number of players who need to double up, which is tough to do at this level of rugby," said Gatland.

"We know it is going to be another big challenge against the Chiefs, who have won the Super Rugby title twice in the last five years."

British & Irish Lions: 15 Liam Williams,14 Jack Nowell, 13 Jared Payne,12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 1 Joe Marler, 2 Rory Best (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Iain Henderson, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 James Haskell, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 CJ Stander.

Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Allan Dell, 18 Tomas Francis, 19 Cory Hill , 20 Alun Wyn Jones, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Finn Russell, 23 Tommy Seymour

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