What the Lions are doing with CJ Stander for their next game is disappointing but understandable

The good news is CJ Stander is starting. The bad news is, well, CJ Stander is starting.

The Lions have one more warm-up game before that pivotal second Test against the All-Blacks and CJ Stander has been chosen to start at number eight. Ireland and Munster fans probably would not have liked to see the forward make Warren Gatland's starting XV for the game against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Tuesday. Ideally, Stander would have been rested to ensure that he gets to feature in the important match against New Zealand. However, all hope may not be lost, especially when you take Gatland's comments into consideration.

"A few players put their hands up for selection from the Chiefs game and played their way into the Test team so they know that there is another opportunity for them on Tuesday against the Super Rugby champions."

https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/875870380057133056 50 solid minutes against the Hurricanes could well stand to him, especially if he was going to be a substitute next Saturday. Also, Elliot Daly and Liam Williams both played for the Lions last Tuesday and made the starting line-up for the first Test against the All Blacks. Stander is the type of character that would want to earn his place in the team, and now he has a golden opportunity to show that he deserves it. Rory Best will lead the Lions for the second time this tour, while Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson will also start. Jared Payne has been named on the bench. British & Irish Lions to play the Hurricanes 15. Jack Nowell – Exeter Chiefs, England 14. Tommy Seymour – Glasgow Warriors, Scotland 13. Jonathan Joseph - Bath Rugby, England 12. Robbie Henshaw – Leinster, Ireland 11. George North – Northampton Saints, Wales 10. Dan Biggar – Ospreys, Wales 9. Greig Laidlaw – Gloucester, Scotland 1. Joe Marler – Harlequins, England 2. Rory Best (c) – Ulster, Ireland 3. Dan Cole – Leicester Tigers, England 4. Iain Henderson – Ulster, Ireland 5. Courtney Lawes – Northampton Saints, England 6. James Haskell – Wasps, England 7. Justin Tipuric – Ospreys, Wales 8. CJ Stander – Munster, Ireland Replacements: 16. Kristian Dacey – Cardiff Blues, Wales 17. Allan Dell – Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland 18. Tomas Francis – Exeter Chiefs, Wales 19. Cory Hill – Newport Gwent Dragons, Wales 20. George Kruis – Saracens, England, 21. Gareth Davies – Scarlets, Wales 22. Finn Russell – Glasgow Warriors, Scotland 23. Jared Payne – Ulster, Ireland