Andy Farrell has endorsed Rory Best as a contender to captain the British and Irish Lions next summer.Ireland assistant Farrell is expected to be named as Lions defence coach when boss Warren Gatland confirms his back room staff on December 7.And former England coach Farrell has hailed Ireland skipper Best as among the nucleus of stars who can be under serious consideration to lead the Lions three-Test tour to New Zealand.Best will win his 100th Ireland cap in Saturdays autumn Test clash with Australia in Dublin, amid firm backing over his Lions credentials from Farrell.Theres no doubt that hes a contender when hes doing as good a job as he is for his national team and his national team is doing pretty well, said Farrell, of Bests potential candidacy as Lions captain.Hes a big part of that so he has to be right up there doesnt he?Wales flanker Sam Warburton and England hooker Dylan Hartley have so far been the bookies front-runners to assume the Lions captaincy next summer.But since assuming Irelands armband Best has led Ireland to a first-ever victory over the Springboks on South African soil in June, and also a maiden win over New Zealand this autumn.Ulsters evergreen hooker Best has been roundly hailed as producing the finest rugby of his career, despite hitting 34 years of age. And Farrell insisted the gritty farmers son has the cool demeanour that marks out the sharpest leaders.Farrells backing certainly carries weight given the former dual-code international is all-but inked in as part of Gatlands Lions coaching staff.As a player given the ups and downs of international rugby, when youve got 100 caps youve certainly been through a hell of a lot, said Farrell. Your experience of how you deal not just with your own game and the players around you for the feel of the game in the white-hot heat of the moment is priceless.Thats what Ive been super impressed with: not only is Rory laying his body on the line but his decision-making and his calmness under pressure in the big games that weve been in, certainly since Ive been here in the last six months, has been fantastic to watch.Thats proper leadership, thats what that is, so anyone who has that skill or that trait has to be up there.Cheap NCAA Jerseys China . 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What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday.South Africa have brought two new faces into the starting XV for their clash against Italy at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday.Following the withdrawal of Eben Etzebeth, who picked up a concussion against England at Twickenham, Pieter-Steph du Toit has switched from flanker into the second row, and his spot on the side of the scrum is taken by Nizaam Carr.In the backs, veteran Bryan Habana replaces JP Pietersen on the left wing, with the Toulon speedster looking to chase down Daisuke Ohata for the most Test tries in history. Habanas 66 tries on the international stage is three behind the former Japan international. Carr featured as a replacement in South Africas 37-21 loss to England last week, and Oupa Mahoje comes in to fill his vacancy on the bench. Lourens Adriaanse loses out to Trevor Nyakane in the second of three changes to the substitutes, with Elton Jantjies selected at the expense of Lions team-mate Lionel Mapoe.The Boks are in desperate need of a win in Florence. Last weeks loss to Eddie Jones side came off the back of a disappointing Rugby Championship during which they were thrashed 57-15 by the All Blacks, and the 2007 World Cup champions have now lost five of their last six internationals. Bryan Habana has scored 66 tries for the Springboks in 123 Tests The recent record has piled pressure on coach Allister Coetzee, but in the wake of their Twickenham humbling, the Bok boss insisted he has drawn comfort from his sides efforts.ddddddddddddI always look at when a team gives up, then Id say the Springboks have lost their aura. But theres no lack of effort in the team, said Coetzee.Its hurting, it is tough times, but this team doesnt give up and I draw comfort from the way they kept fighting out there today.South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Rudy Paige; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Nizaam Carr, 7 Willem Alberts, 8 Warren Whiteley.Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Moster, 20 Oupa Mahoje, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Johan Goosen.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch England v Fiji and Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price!Also See:Etzebeth out of Italy clashItaly make four changesGoode targets dream startFollow @SkySportsRugby ' ' '