Rebels change four for Lions

Editor

Rebels boss Tony McGahan has made four changes to his starting XV for Friday's clash with the Lions in Johannesburg.

Rebels boss Tony McGahan has made four changes to his starting XV for Friday's clash with the Lions in Johannesburg.

Lock Hugh Pyle returns to the run-on side as one of three changes to the forward pack, with hooker Shota Horie and flanker Scott Fuglistaller also injected into the contest from the outset.

In the backs, Tom Kingston comes in on the right wing, while young full-back Jack Debreczeni and fly-half Bryce Hegarty will share the initial place kicking duties with Jason Woodward on the bench.

Flanker Jordy Reid returns to the matchday squad, via the bench, and will be looking to make his second appearance of the season after impressing as a replacement against the Brumbies in Canberra in Round 16, while speedster Telusa Veainu is again named as a reserve and will be hopeful of making his fifth appearance for the Melbourne-based franchise.

Rebels: 15 Jack Debreczeni. 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Tom English, 10 Bryce Hegarty, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Scott Higginbotham (c), 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Colby Fainga'a, 5 Luke Jones, 4 Hugh Pyle, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Toby Smith.Replacements: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Cadeyrn Neville, 20 Jordy Reid, 21 Nic Stirzaker, 22 Jason Woodward, 23 Telusa Veainu.

Date: Friday, July 4
Venue: Ellis Park
Kick-off: 19:10 local, 18:10 BST
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SA)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry, Cobus Wessels (both SA)
TMO: Johan Greeff (SA)