Maro Itoje makes thoughts clear as Mike Tindall idea threatens to cause rugby divide

Skipper Maro Itoje insists the Lions will survive despite the threat of a rebel league splitting the sport. The new venture, R360 headed up by World Cup winner Mike Tindall, is a proposed franchise tournament offering huge salaries to top players around the world.

Contracts will be waved in front of stars, including those currently in Australia, but Itoje reckons the lure of Lions will see off the new competition. He said: "Players want to play for the Lions and that's not going to change for generations to come. It was the same in the 1950s and it will be the same in 2050. People want to play for their country. People want to play for the Lions. I am sure that will remain."

Itoje leads the Lions against the Reds in Brisbane today (WEDS) revealing he is captaining differently on this tour to how he does the job at Saracens or with England.

He added: "The general level of experience is a lot higher than in an international setup or club context. You're talking to people who know how to play the game, everyone here has a track record of success."

After today everyone in the Lions party will have seen some action in the first three games barring the late arrivals Ben White and Blair Kinghorn.

Ireland lock James Ryan is on the bench at the Suncorp Stadium after recovering from a thigh injury and makes his first appearance of the tour as do scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and full-back Hugo Keenan.

Reds v British & Irish Lions, Wednesday, 11am, Sky Sports

Reds: Jock Campbell (capt); Lachie Anderson, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan; Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Kalani Thomas; Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Joe Brial

Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Sef Fa'agase, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Louis Werchon, Isaac Henry

Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Jack Conan

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Garry Ringrose

Referee: James Doleman (NZ)