Predicted line-ups as British and Irish Lions seek series clean sweep

Andy Farrell has several big selection decisions to make ahead of the third test, with Blair Kinghorn among those to impress off the bench in the stunning second test comeback in Melbourne. 

The Scotland star was the pre-tour favourite to start in the number 15 jersey but may now force his way in on the wing, particularly given the try-scoring heroics of incumbent fullback Hugo Keenan at the MCG. 

For the final time during this tour, our writers pick their Lions team to take on Australia. 

Gavin Harper

There has been speculation Farrell may ring the changes and give the whole squad a chance to play their part in the test series. 

While that would be good news for [[Scotland]] quartet Pierre Schoeman, Scott Cummings, Duhan van der Merwe and Ben White, wholesale changes does not feel like the right approach. 

Instead, Farrell should look to where he can improve a side that was 23-5 down and floundering in the first half last weekend before an incredible comeback. 

The all-Scottish centre pairing from the first test gets another go in my team. Bundee Aki had big moments in Melbourne but the [[Lions]] lost their midfield cohesion with Aki at 12, so Sione Tuipulotu should return. 

Sione Tuipulotu is fit again and could return (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

Blair Kinghorn also did enough from the bench to earn a start in the position he plays often for his club, on the wing. The decision was whether to replace James Lowe or Tommy Freeman, and, though it was close, I've gone for the latter. 

Up front, the fit-again Joe McCarthy deserves to return in the second row but that would be the only change to the starting pack, barring any unknown injuries. 

After consecutive 80-minute stints on the bench, Alex Mitchell may not be match sharp so I've gone for Ben White on the bench, while Luke Cowan-Dickie or Jamie George could take over as the back-up hooker.

I've also gone for a 6/2 split as the Lions struggled to cope with the Wallabies' power game for the first 50 minutes in Melbourne, so Ben Earl joins the bench

Gav's British and Irish Lions team: Hugo Keenan, [[Blair Kinghorn]], Huw Jones, [[Sione Tuipulotu]], James Lowe, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (captain), Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan

Replacements: Jamie George, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Ben White, Owen Farrell

Rob Robertson

The British and Irish Lions aren't used to going into a final Test with the series already in the bag. They haven't had an unassailable 2-0 lead this century.

Whitewashing the Australians is on the cards provided they have the right mindset -and haven't been celebrating too hard- going into the match in Sydney.

If I was Andy Farrell I would field my strongest side and make sure they were fired up for the fixture. He has to be selfish as the Test results are part of his legacy and 3-0 will look much better than 2-1 on his coaching CV.

In saying that am not convinced he will be as hard-hearted as I would be and he may decide to give his fringe players a run-out which could be good news for some of the Scotland players who have sat out the first two Tests.

No doubt the English media will be calling on Owen Farrell or Marcus Smith or Fin Smith to start at ten rather than Finn Russell but hopefully Farrell will resist making the change.

Finn Russell deserves another start (Image: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Scotsman deserves to start at 10 as does Irishman Jamison Gibson-Park at nine. Both have been magnificent and deserve to kept their places. It may be a dead rubber but Russell could use that lack of pressure to try some exciting new plays.

There should be any room for sentimentality even if it means [[Scotland]]'s [[Ben White]] doesn't get a place on the bench which should go to England's Alex Mitchell as back-up scrum-half to Gibson-Park.

Blair Kinghorn deserves to start - not at fullback but on the wing - as Tommy Freeman has been poor. Kinghorn plays on the wing for Toulouse so can deliver at the top level out wide.

That means no Test match appearances for Duhan van der Merwe who was one of the best Lions on tour to South Africa four years ago.

Duhan van der Merwe may miss out on the series altogether after featuring in all three tests four years ago (Image: David Davies)

Sione Tuipolutu would have been gutted that a hamstring injury kept him out of the second Test that was played in Melbourne where he was brought up.

I wouldn't put him straight back into the side and would start with Huw Jones and Bundee Aki one more time with Tuipolutu coming off the bench.

Ollie Chessum has been playing well in the second row and gives you cover in the back row too but I would bring Joe McCarthy straight back into the starting line-up if he is fit. He injured his foot in the first Test win and hasn't played since.

The Lions need to make a good start and play at a high tempo to ensure they grind down the Australians one more time.

I hope Farrell doesn't make wholesale changes as he will need his strongest team out there to ensure a third straight win over Australia.

Playing what would be effectively a reserve side isn't the way to pick a Lions team for a game. Go strong and they should win the third Test easily. Anything less than picking his best men then the Lions could struggle.

Rob's British and Irish Lions team: Hugo Keenan; Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong,Maro Itoje (captain), Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Sione Tuipolutu

Euan Booth Robertson

I don’t envisage Andy Farrell making wholesale changes as although the series is won, ensuring a whitewash will still be a major target. 

I’d reunite the Scottish midfield with Sione returning to full training and the only other change in the backline should be on the wing.

Tommy Freeman and James Lowe haven’t impressed during the opening two tests and I’d bring in Blair Kinghorn on the wing- where he has excelled for Toulouse in big games.

Blair Kinghorn is being backed to start (Image: David Davies/PA Wire) Ellis Genge has enjoyed an exceptional tour and must start again. I’d also bring in Jac Morgan with Tom Curry struggling with injury and there’s no reason to risk the English international.

Farrell hasn't gone for a 6-2 bench split on tour but physicality could be key after a gruelling tour and my Scottish bias means I’ve put two of our forwards on our bench. 

Euan's British and Irish Lions team: Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Jac Morgan, Jack Conan

Replacements: Jamie George, Pierre Schoeman, Will Stuart, Scott Cummings, Ollie Chessum, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell