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1:43 AM BST

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  Tom HamiltonRugby Editor

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  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Grew up in Bath but has New Zealand roots
  • Covered England's tour of New Zealand in 2014 and Australia in 2016
  • Was ESPN's man on the ground for the 2013 British & Irish Lions series and Rugby World Cup 2015

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- The British & Irish Lions have sprung a selection surprise ahead of the second Test against the All Blacks with Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell forming a new look partnership while Maro Itoje starts and Sam Warburton returns to captain the side.

The Lions make a total of four changes to the side that lost the first Test 30-15 in Auckland last Saturday with Sexton and Farrell linking up at 10 and 12. Ben Te'o misses out on selection as Warren Gatland goes with a combination that are yet to start on this tour.

Tour captain Warburton was benched for the first Test, but he returns in the back-row to skipper the side while Itoje replaces George Kruis in their second-row.

On the bench Gatland has gone with a five-three split between forwards and backs with CJ Stander, Courtney Lawes, Te'o and Jack Nowell included.

British & Irish Lions:

Liam Williams, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong, Alun Wyn Jones, Maro Itoje, Sam Warburton (captain), Sean O'Brien, Taulupe Faletau

Replacements:

Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Ben Te'o, Jack Nowell

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Lions make four changes