Nine Welshman started the win over the Barbarians with Mike Phillips particularly impressing. The livewire scrum half crossed for a brace of tries, as did Blues wing Alex Cuthbert. That was not the end of the Welsh scoring though, Jonathan Davies, Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Lydiate also going over.
But with Gatland determined to give all of his 37-man squad game time in the opening few fixtures, none of those who started against the Barbarians begin the game in Perth.
While the likes of Phillips and Cuthbert drop out of the side, there is still a strong Welsh presence with Leigh Halfpenny and George North both starting and Alun Wyn Jones and Ian Evans teaming up in the boiler room. Tour captain Sam Warburton does not feature though as he continues his recovery from a knee problem.
“There were a lot of positives to come out of the first match in Hong Kong,” said Gatland.
“Our fitness and application were excellent and we operated well in the set pieces. That said, it was our first match and naturally we were a bit rusty. There is definitely room for improvement.”
Wednesday’s team contains eight new Lions and will be captained by Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll. He is partnered by Manu Tuilagi at centre in a much changed side. Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton form an all Irish half back partnership with five of the starting team, Tuilagi, Sean O’Brien, Evans, Dan Cole and Rory Best, making their Lions debuts.
Welsh No. 8 Toby Faletau, who enjoyed a superb ball carrying display in the Hong Kong heat, will be looking to make a similar impression as a replacement.
“Of course this is a completely new team and the challenge is to ensure the selected players continue the on-field progress we are seeking,” Gatland added.
“With Brian at the helm you can be sure they will be ready to emulate the victory against the Barbarians. This is his fourth Lions tour and he is a respected leader.”
Tour Manager Andy Irvine said: “The lads who played in Hong Kong put down a marker as they performed extremely well in very tough conditions. I am sure this team playing against the Western Force will be just as eager to show their mettle in Perth.
“I told the team in Hong Kong that they were custodians of the red jersey. That responsibility is now with this group of players and I am confident they will give their all against the Force. This is the first match of the tour in Australia and the Lions are keen to make a winning start here.”
British & Irish Lions (v Western Force, June 5, Patersons Stadium, 1800/1100 BST time)
15 Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales); 14 Tommy Bowe, (Ulster/Ireland) 13 Brian O’Driscoll, (Leinster/Ireland, captain) 12 Manu Tuilagi, (Leicester Tigers/England) 11 George North (Scarlets/Wales); 10 Jonathan Sexton, (Leinster/Ireland) 9 Conor Murray; (Munster/Ireland) 1 Cian Healy, (Leinster/Ireland)2 Rory Best, (Ulster/Ireland) 3 Dan Cole; (Leicester Tigers/England) 4 Alun Wyn Jones, (Ospreys/Wales) Ian Evans; (Ospreys/Wales) 6 Tom Croft, (Leicester Tigers/England) 7 Sean O’Brien, (Leinster/Ireland) 8 Jamie Heaslip. (Leinster/Ireland)
Replacements: Tom Youngs, (Leicester Tigers/England) Mako Vunipola, (Saracens/England) Matt Stevens, (Saracens/England) Geoff Parling, (Leicester Tigers/England) Toby Faletau, (Dragons/Wales) Ben Youngs, (Leicester Tigers/England) Owen Farrell, (Saracens/England) Sean Maitland. (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
