Rugby-Owens to lay down marker for test selection v South Africa ‘A’

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - International Test - British and Irish Lions v Japan - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - June 26, 2021 British and Irish Lions players pose for a photo with a trophy after the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

(Reuters) - Hooker Ken Owens says the British & Irish Lions players are eager to use Wednesday’s clash with a strong South Africa ‘A’ to lay down a marker ahead of the test series and boost their own chances of being in the match-day 23 against the Springboks.

The match has been billed as a ‘fourth test’ after the South Africans selected 18 World Cup winners in their squad in a desperate attempt to give players game-time with the side having featured in just a single test against Georgia in the build-up to the Lions series that starts on July 24.