Ulster's Rory Best is back in the Lions squad for Tuesday's game against Combined Country at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle, kick-off 10.30am.

This will be the Ulsterman’s second appearance for the Lions off the bench following his selection in the XV who faced Western Force.

Tommy Bowe is recovering from a hand injury he sustained whilst playing for the side against Queensland Reds. Tommy underwent surgery on Sunday morning to stabilise a bone fracture in his hand and his condition will be assessed over the next few days.

Simon Zebo will join the British & Irish Lions as cover. Zebo flew from Houston, Texas yesterday evening and will arrive in Sydney on Tuesday morning, meeting up with the squad in Newcastle ahead of the game.

The fourth match of the tour will see 2009 centre pairing Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts re-united. They played four times during the tour to South Africa including the 1st and 2nd Tests.

O’Driscoll will captain the Lions for the second time on tour, while replacement props Alex Corbisiero and Ryan Grant will make their first Lions appearances after joining the squad on Saturday.

British & Irish Lions Tour Manager Andy Irvine said: "We are delighted to have kept our unbeaten record intact. We were pushed all the way by an extremely skilful and committed Reds team that played some brilliant intuitive rugby. However, I was incredibly proud of the way we responded and how we defended right to the bitter end. The win will be a tremendous boost to our confidence for the forthcoming Test series.

“There is no doubt that the Combined Country players match will regard the game as their cup final. But we are getting stronger each week, combinations are starting to take shape and we will be determined to head for Sydney with another sound win.”

Head Coach Warren Gatland said: “The Reds game was always going to be a big challenge and I was delighted at the victory and the way we were tested. It was a very physical match as we knew it would be. We now move on to Newcastle and another challenge.

“This team to play Country includes three players - Richie Gray, Alex Cuthbert and Stuart Hogg - who are starting their second game in a row plus another George North who came off the bench early against the Reds. This is the nature of Lions tours as we adapt to injuries and playing twice a week.”

British & Irish Lions Squad to face Combined Country, June 11, kick-off 10.30am, Hunter Stadium, Newcastle.

British & Irish Lions 15-1: Sean Maitland, Alex Cuthbert, Brian O’Driscoll (C), Jamie Roberts, George North, Stuart Hogg, Conor Murray, Alex Corbisiero, Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole, Richie Gray, Ian Evans Sean O’Brien, Justin Tipuric, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements 16-23: Rory Best, Ryan Grant, Matt Stevens, Alun Wyn Jones, Tangaki Taulupe Faletau Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny.

Lions squad announced to face Combined Country

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