Graham Rowntree: 'Western Force team not weak'

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree has insisted that the Western Force team they will face on Wednesday is far from weak.

Force head coach Michael Foley will rest a number of regulars for the match and hand debuts to seven players for the encounter in Perth.

Many have slated the move, claiming that it weakens the side, but Rowntree disagrees.

"It's not a bad team. I can see it's not a lot of guys who've played a lot of Super 15 but it still looks a strong enough team to me," said Rowntree.

"If we go back to ourselves, it's a chance for another starting 15 from us to show us what they can do."

The Lions take on Western Force at Patersons Stadium in Perth on Wednesday.