Peter O'Mahony to captain Lions in first Test against New Zealand

Ireland international Peter O'Mahony has been named as the captain of the British and Irish Lions team for the first Test against New Zealand to be played in Auckland on Saturday.

O'Mahony will face a daunting task of leading his team against Steve Hansen's men, who enjoy a 37-match winning streak at Eden Park with tour captain Sam Warburton named among the replacements.

Liam Williams has been preferred at fullback over Leigh Halfpenny, who joins Warburton on the bench while Elliot Daly starts on left wing after his impressive show against Chiefs on Tuesday.

Lions head coach Warren Gatland insisted that the selections were made taking on the performances of the players in the tour games.

"We have picked a side based on form with a lot of players putting their hands up, especially from the Crusaders and Maori All Blacks games, and it was a lively selection meeting," said Gatland.

"The win against the Chiefs was also extremely important for the squad and some players played themselves into the side.

"We have continuously been strong at set-piece and have been good defensively in the last two or three outings.

"But to beat the All Blacks you have to be courageous and play some rugby - you have to score tries and I think we have picked a team capable of doing that."

O'Mahony, who spent almost a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury and was not a regular member of the Ireland's team in the recently concluded Six Nations tournament but an injury to Jamie Heaslip saw him make his first start against England during which Joe Schmidt's men broke the red rose's team record 18-match winning streak. However, he impressed the Lions boss in his captaincy stint during the win against Maori All Blacks.

"It's a reward for how the back row has gone," said Gatland.

"There is a nice balance there while Peter captained the side against the Maori All Blacks and has done a good job."

Also England international Owen Farrell has recovered from the thigh injury and has been the preferred number 10 over Halfpenny. Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones has been selected over Maro Itoje, who is among the reserves.

British and Irish Lions team for First Test against New Zealand:

L Williams (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o (England), E Daly (England); O Farrell (England), C Murray (Ireland); M Vunipola (England), J George (England), T Furlong (Ireland); AW Jones (Wales), G Kruis (England); P O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).

Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), M Itoje (England), S Warburton (Wales), R Webb (Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), L Halfpenny (Wales).