Tadhg Beirne poised to be among eight Irish Lions starters for first Test

There could also be disappointment for Bundee Aki who set to lose out for the inside centre role.

Tadhg Beirne is set to start ahead of Ollie Chessum at blindside flanker for the Lions in Saturday's first Test against Australia. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

There could be as many as eight Ireland players in the British & Irish Lions side to face Australia in Saturday’s first Test when Andy Farrell names his starting line-up on Thursday morning Irish time.

Early indications are that the head coach will lean heavily on familiar faces from the Ireland national team set-up he leads with Hugo Keenan a possible starter at full-back, James Lowe on the left wing, and Jamison Gibson-Park in the number nine jersey.