Earls among four Irish players in first Lions team
Paul O'Connell will lead the British & Irish Lions into their opening match of the 2009 tour of South Africa against the Royal XV in Phokeng, near Rustenburg, on Saturday.
Ireland's Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Ronan O'Gara will join their captain in what is a side comprising 14 players who are on their first British & Irish Lions tour.