Jac Morgan was picked on the bench because he was the best option, Lions coach Andy Farrell has insisted - not because he’s Welsh.
A week ago, head coach Farrell caused a stir within Wales and further afield when he left out Morgan from his first Test squad selection - meaning there was no Welsh presence in a British and Irish Lions international fixture for the first time in 129 years.
But just as Farrell was adamant nationality had not entered his mind when he chose his 23 for Brisbane, the Ireland coach insisted passports and paperwork have counted for nothing ahead of Saturday's second Test in Sydney.
Nine Ireland players have made the starting line-up and Morgan is on the bench, said Farrell, because he’s the best man for the job, rather than to appease Lions traditionalists.
“It doesn’t and nor should it,” said Farrell when he was asked if building a matchday squad that represented the four nations had played any part in his thinking.
“As I’ve said all along this tour, you’ve got to do every individual justice in regards to whether they’re able to get selected for the team to be the best version for themselves.
“Jac’s done that and that’s the only thing that matters.”
Farrell also claimed Morgan had shown no effects in his performance levels - or mood off the training pitch - since suffering the crushing disappointment of his Brisbane banishment to the stands.
“He was exactly the same last week, delighted for whoever was picked in his position, and was so good in helping the team prepare for that first Test.
“And his peers are doing exactly the same back.
“He’s just been himself, very polite and very diligent in his work.”
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Morgan gets his chance following an injury to second row Joe McCarthy that prompted a reshuffle that spilled to the bench, as well as a realisation the Lions had faded badly in the second half of their 27-19 victory five days ago.
“Obviously that influences you a little bit, but there’s always that type of thing, whether it be at the front or the back of your mind, but at the same time it doesn’t always pan out like that, so you’ve got to be ready to play as a back-rower in any type of position,” said Farrell.
“From what we’ve seen of Jac all the way through this tour, he’s more than able to add to the team.”
As the sole Welshman in the Lions’ squad, Morgan’s inclusion means all four home nations are selected.
Farrell’s bench also includes his son, Owen — a move that marks one of seven adjustments to the matchday squad as the Lions aim to wrap up the series.
Owen Farrell was left out of the side for the opening Test in Brisbane, but returned in midweek to captain the team in a win over a First Nations and Pasifika XV.
The experienced playmaker impressed in his first full match since April, doing enough to reclaim a spot on the bench at the expense of Marcus Smith, who had cleared concussion protocols but misses out entirely.
Farrell’s selection — made by his father and head coach — is one of several changes to the 23-man squad.
Lions head coach Andy Farrell: Pic: Alamy
Lock Ollie Chessum, prop Andrew Porter, and centre Bundee Aki have all been promoted to the starting XV. Ellis Genge moves to the bench, while Sione Tuipulotu and McCarthy are ruled out through injury.
McCarthy suffered a foot problem during the Lions’ 27-19 win last weekend and Tuipulotu has been sidelined with a hamstring issue.
Ireland’s Hugo Keenan continues at fullback, while Blair Kinghorn is named among the substitutes after proving his fitness.
Mack Hansen was considered for a bench role but has a foot injury and will play no part.
Initially, Garry Ringrose had been paired with Aki in an all-Irish centre combination.
However, the Leinster man was withdrawn after reporting symptoms related to a previous head injury during Thursday's training session. Scotland’s Huw Jones steps into the No.13 jersey.
“It’s head related again,” Farrell said.
“There was no incident. He was feeling good.
“Players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel, so it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away.”
The Lions have rebounded strongly after an early Tour defeat to Argentina in Dublin, stringing together seven straight victories in Australia.
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A win at the iconic MCG — where 90,000 fans are expected — would seal their first series triumph since 2013.
“We have put ourselves in a good position after the first Test, but we know there will be a massive reaction from this Wallaby team,” said Farrell.
“Everyone saw the quality they have in Brisbane and we know we will have to be a lot better than we were last week.
“We’re the privileged ones that get the opportunity to do something special and hopefully create a bit of history.”
The Wallabies welcome back heavy hitters Will Skelton and Rob Valetini along with hooker Dave Porecki.
Coach Joe Schmidt has gone with a 6-2 bench.
"We thoroughly believe that we're way better than what we showed [in the first Test], and we've got another chance to prove that," said Farrell.
"We're the privileged ones that get the opportunity to do something special and hopefully create a bit of history.
"There's a determined Australian side that's going to try and stop us doing that, so it's a hell of a test.
"No other Lions have done back-to-back victories of tours of the same country. So, due to the good work of the 2013 touring party, we get the privilege to be in a position to try and accomplish that."
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter; Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Skelton, Valetini, McReight, Wilson.
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Williams, Gleeson, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson.
British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Freeman, Jones, Aki, Lowe; Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Chessum, Beirne, Curry, Conan.
Replacements: Kelleher, Genge, Stuart, Ryan, Morgan, Mitchell, Farrell, Kinghorn.
Date: Saturday, 26 July
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Kick-off: 11:00 (UK time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
