British and Irish Lions: Warren Gatland expects 'robust' selection debate for first Test

[Animous]

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland says he expects a lively discussion about selection for the first Test with South Africa.

The Lions ended their warm-up schedule with a comfortable 49-3 win over the Stormers on Saturday.

Gatland says he thinks the toughest decisions will be made in "the back three and the loose forwards".

"We will go through the process over the next 72 hours and there will be some robust debate," he added.

The Lions begin their three-Test series with the Springboks in Cape Town on Saturday 24 July, with Gatland expected to announce his side on Thursday.

"There are going to be some tight calls with regards to the back three and the loose forwards, and how that mix is going to look," he added.

Stormers v British and Irish Lions - as it happened

"They are probably going to be the tightest calls, but we will make sure we look at the starting XV and also the impact off the bench as well.

"We will sit down and have a look at the game and sit down with the medics. Then we will start thinking about those right combinations."

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