Andy Farrell has made changes for the British and Irish Lions’ third and final Test against Australia in Sydney — but not the one Welsh fans were hoping for as Jac Morgan has again been left on the bench.
Despite his outstanding performance when he came on as a replacement in Melbourne in the series-clinching victory last Saturday, the Wales captain has not made the starting XV.
With the Lions already 2-0 up and the series in the bag, Farrell has made two changes, both based on form.
Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn replaces James Lowe on the left wing, while Ireland’s James Ryan comes in at lock for Ollie Chessum.
Morgan - whose clear-out at a ruck helped the Lions snatch victory at the MCG and sparked a global debate - will begin on the bench once again.
The decision to keep Morgan out of the starting line-up reflects Farrell’s insistence on rewarding cohesion and proven Test performance over reputation or fan pressure.
It also speaks to the sheer depth of talent in the Lions back row, where Tom Curry, Jack Conan, and Tadhg Beirne have now been backed to start for a third straight match.
“We have put ourselves in a great position to finish this Tour with our best performance to date and create our own piece of history,” Farrell said.
“Last weekend’s Test match in Melbourne was an incredible spectacle and illustrated how special Lions Tours are and what they mean to both the players and the supporters.
“We are expecting another epic battle this weekend against a Wallaby side that showed their quality last week.”
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That refusal to hand out easy Test caps has been a defining feature of Farrell’s approach on this tour.
There was speculation that players like Josh van der Flier and Morgan might be rewarded with starts, but Farrell has been firm in his belief that continuity is king.
The decision to bench Morgan rather than start him is a notable one given that the Lions are on the cusp of history.
A win in Sydney would complete the first 3-0 series whitewash by a Lions team in the professional era, and their first clean sweep since the 1927 tour of Argentina. Farrell is intent on going for the jugular.
James Ryan’s inclusion follows a strong performance off the bench in the second Test, where his power in the breakdown and defence helped turn the tide late in the game.
Meanwhile, Kinghorn’s arrival in the starting side reflects his impact off the bench in Melbourne and Lowe’s underwhelming form on the wing.
Farrell has gone for a 6-2 split on the bench, bringing Morgan and Ben Earl in as impact options late in the match.
The shift underlines the physicality the Lions expect from a Wallabies side that will be desperate to avoid a series sweep.
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Across the rest of the team, there’s familiar continuity: the all-Leinster front row of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong returns again, with Furlong set to equal Alun Wyn Jones’ record of nine consecutive Lions Test starts.
Captain Maro Itoje will also feature in his ninth straight Test.
The half-back pairing of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell remains unchanged, as does the midfield of Bundee Aki and Huw Jones. Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, and now Kinghorn make up the back three.
Morgan is joined on the bench by Owen Farrell and Alex Mitchell — the only two backs among the replacements — and forwards Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Chessum, and Earl.
On the Wallabies side, coach Joe Schmidt has made a handful of enforced changes, most notably handing veteran scrum-half Nic White a final Test start and bringing in Taniela Tupou at tighthead prop in place of the injured Allan Alaalatoa.
Tom Hooper and Dylan Pietsch also come into the starting XV, replacing Rob Valetini and Harry Potter, both ruled out with injuries.
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Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Pietsch, Lynagh, White; Slipper, Porecki, Tupou, Frost, Skelton, Hooper, McReight, Wilson
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Nonggorr, Williams, Gleeson, McDermott, Donaldson, Kellaway
British and Irish Lions: Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Aki, Kinghorn, Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Ryan, Beirne, Curry, Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, Genge, Stuart, Chessum, Morgan, Earl, Mitchell, Farrell
Match officials
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe (NZ), Andrea Piardi (Ita)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
Foul play review officer: Richard Kelly (NZ)
