British and Irish Lions team: Winners and losers as Andy Farrell resists ‘temptation’ with the aim of becoming ‘legends’
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell and prop Tadhg Furlong, who makes ninths successive Test start for touring team.
Andy Farrell has named his British and Irish Lions team to tackle the Wallabies in the final match of the three-Test series and we pick out our winners and losers.
The head coach has kept changes to a minimum with Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan the only players to come into the starting XV. Farrell has opted for a 6-2 bench, however, which has allowed Ben Earl to return to the 23 after missing the second Test.
Winners
Blair Kinghorn
After a fine cameo in the second Test, the utility back gets an opportunity on the left wing to form a pretty imposing back three alongside Hugo Keenan and Tommy Freeman. All three are very good under the high ball as they look to improve their kick-chase game from Melbourne, while also not giving the hosts easy metres like they did last weekend.
Kinghorn offers a fine all-round skill set, given the Scot’s running qualities, aerial ability and lengthy boot, which for the Lions’ sake will hopefully prove more effective than James Lowe’s, who has been off-form throughout these Tests.
James Ryan
Like Kinghorn, the lock has been rewarded for his performance off the bench in the series-winning encounter. Many questioned Farrell’s decision to bring Ryan into the 23, but he was absolutely key in helping the Lions come from behind and defeat the Wallabies at the MCG.
The Irishman is perhaps not as athletic or physical as Joe McCarthy or Ollie Chessum but he is mightily effective at close quarters and the head coach will hope that the second-row’s sheer work ethic can bring a better balance to the pack.
Maro Itoje and Tadhg Furlong
Congratulations to both players, who will make their ninth successive appearances in Lions Tests which is a remarkable achievement, testament to both their quality and durability. Furlong equals Alun Wyn Jones’ record of nine consecutive starts, while Itoje was on the bench for that first Test against the All Blacks in 2017.
The Irishman has endured his injury troubles over the past couple of years and his form has dipped as a result, but he has impressed in the opening two Tests so far and was particularly destructive in the set-piece against the Wallabies in Melbourne. The tourists will hope for the same in Sydney.
Ben Earl
Makes his second appearance in the Test squad after being dropped for the series decider last weekend. Earl benefits from Farrell’s decision to go with a 6-2 split given his ability to cover flanker, number eight and potentially centre if it is desperately needed. He struggled off the bench in Test one so will hope to make up for that this weekend.
Bundee Aki
Probably the luckiest player to retain his place after having a bit of a shocker in the second Test against the Wallabies. Having a big and physical inside centre is very much the modern trend and you suspect that has saved Aki from the axe given Sione Tuipulotu’s injury.
Had Tuipulotu have been fit, the Ireland star would probably have made way, enabling Farrell to reunite the ‘Huwipulotu’ partnership in midfield. However, Aki gets another shot and he will need to be vastly better in Test three, despite somehow going the distance at the MCG while cramping heavily.
Andy Farrell
There must have been a temptation to make a few more changes and give opportunities to some of those who have not featured so far, but the tourists have shown their intent to whitewash the Wallabies. They could join the legends from 1974 by becoming the first Lions team since that famous tour to win three Tests in a row.
Farrell has therefore made minimal alterations and we think it is the right decision. It is a shame for those that have missed out, but the Lions are desperate to show their true capabilities having not produced 80-minute displays in either Test so far. If they get it right, it could be a demoralising clash for Australia.
Losers
James Lowe
Many quite rightly thought that Lowe would be a crucial cog in the Lions side given his booming left boot, but he has paid the price for his subpar displays in both Tests. There has been some nice pieces of skill, including the assist for Tadhg Beirne’s try in Melbourne, but Lowe has ultimately underwhelmed and is duly dropped.
Ollie Chessum
Perhaps unlucky to miss out on the starting XV as he was certainly not poor in the second Test, but he is perhaps more suited to the bench in this team. Chessum is a tremendous athlete, who offers plenty of power in the loose and can also rectify the lineout if it is going wrong.
The England second-row has enjoyed a good tour but he will want to produce a statement display when he comes onto the field in Sydney. Chessum also has versatility and, depending on injury and performance, Farrell can decide where he best fits in the final 40 minutes.
Henry Pollock
We genuinely thought the youngster would get a spot in the 23 in at least one of these Tests but he has just missed out. It was probably between him and Earl for that bench spot, but his fellow Englishman’s experience of playing in the backline edges him in the 6-2 split.
Pollock has at times lit up this Lions tour but he will no doubt get his chance in the Test side further down the line, providing he stays fit and focused. The back-rower will now look to nail down a spot in the England team having only made his Test debut in March.
Josh van der Flier
Few would have predicted that the former World Rugby Player of the Year would have been cast aside for all three Test matches but that is what has happened. In fairness, it is nothing to do with Van der Flier’s performances on this tour as he has been exceptional but just the sheer amount of competition in that openside position.
Tom Curry’s selection for the opening Test was obviously the big surprise as he had struggled in the warm-up matches, but he has justified his inclusion and was arguably the Lions’ best performer in both Brisbane and Sydney. Jac Morgan, who was the outstanding openside in the pre-Test encounters, was duly the next in line, forcing Van der Flier to miss out.
Garry Ringrose
The centre simply does not have any luck when it comes to Lions tours. Having not been selected in either 2017 and 2021, Ringrose looked like he would finally get a chance to appear in a Lions Test this year, but concussion has put paid to that.
It is really tough on the talented Irishman, who appeared set to play a key role against the Wallabies. However, Ringrose deserves immense credit for notifying the medical team of his symptoms before the encounter in Melbourne.
Joe McCarthy, Mack Hansen and Sione Tuipulotu
According to Farrell they are “85 per cent of the way there”, but ultimately they have not been selected due to the injuries they have picked up. Tuipulotu and McCarthy did feature in Test one and would have surely started this week had they been available, but ultimately they are not quite fit enough.
None of them trained on Wednesday, although the Lions boss has suggested that they could be called upon if needed. However, the tour looks to have ended in frustration for all three players, who were all in good form prior to their setbacks, which is a huge shame.