Lions replace captain for second test against All Blacks

British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton in the first tour match between The British & Irish Lions and the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The British and Lions have changed their captain once again.

Sam Warburton will lead the Lions in the second test against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday with first test skipper Peter O'Mahony dropped from the squad.

Coach Warren Gatland has made three three personnel changes from the XV that started the first test defeat at Eden Park.

Maro Itoje comes into the second row for George Kruis, while Johnny Sexton is at first-five and Owen Farrell shifts to inside centre instead of Ben Te'o.

There are changes on the replacements' bench with Courtney Lawes, Jack Nowell and C.J Stander all coming into the squad after impressing against the Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Gatland said: "We saw Maro's impact in the 1st Test and he will bring an edge and a physicality, as will Sam Warburton in terms of pressure on the ball.

"It's tough on Peter O'Mahony who has done a brilliant job for us. We had to look at the bench and we felt that CJ Stander's ball carrying and defence was the right choice for the bench. You have to make the tough calls and pick what is the right team and the right combinations for a Test match."

Gatland added: "In terms of the backs we have gone with the Sexton-Farrell combination. Both have played well and it gives us that attacking option in the 10-12 channel. We created opportunities in the 1st Test and there were a few that we didn't finish.

"There were lots of positives from the 1st Test but we were disappointed that we put ourselves in a position to put the All Blacks under pressure and to get back into the game and we let it slip.

"This is a big chance for these players to go out and show what they are capable of on Saturday night. For the players retained from the first Test it's an opportunity for them to step up and to show an improvement because individually they were disappointed and you have another group coming in who are also desperate to seize their chance."

British & Irish Lions squad
15. Liam Williams - Scarlets, Wales
14. Anthony Watson - Bath Rugby, England
13. Jonathan Davies - Scarlets, Wales
12. Owen Farrell - Saracens, England
11. Elliot Daly - Wasps, England
10. Johnny Sexton - Leinster, Ireland
9. Conor Murray - Munster, Ireland

1. Mako Vunipola - Saracens, England
2. Jamie George - Saracens, England
3. Tadhg Furlong - Leinster, Ireland
4. Maro Itoje - Saracens, England
5. Alun Wyn Jones - Ospreys, Wales
6. Sam Warburton (capt) - Cardiff Blues, Wales
7. Sean O'Brien - Leinster, Ireland
8. Taulupe Faletau - Bath Rugby, Wales

Replacements:
16. Ken Owens - Scarlets, Wales
17. Jack McGrath - Leinster, Ireland
18. Kyle Sinckler - Harlequins, England
19. Courtney Lawes - Northampton Saints, England
20. CJ Stander - Munster, Ireland
21. Rhys Webb - Ospreys, Wales
22. Ben Te'o - Worcester Warriors, England
23. Jack Nowell - Exeter Chiefs, England