Lions make two changes for final Wallabies Test
Andy Farrell's side sealed the series last weekend in Melbourne with a stunning comeback, overturning an 18-point deficit to claw home 29-26, courtesy of a controversial last-gasp Hugo Keenan try.
They clinched the first Test in Brisbane 27-19 and have won all eight games on tour so far.
But Farrell resisted resting any of his big guns for the showdown in Sydney as they go in search of a rare whitewash.
The last time the Lions went through a series unbeaten was in 1974 when they won the first three Tests against South Africa and drew the last.
England's Maro Itoje again leads the side and is partnered in the second row this time by Ireland's Ryan, with Ollie Chessum dropping to the bench.
In the front row, the Irish trio of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong keep their places with Furlong set to start his ninth consecutive Lions Test.
The backrow remains England's Tom Curry at openside flanker, Jack Conan at No.8 and fellow Irishman Tadhg Beirne at blindside.
The potent combination of Ireland's Jamison Gibson-Park and Scotland's Finn Russell are again the half-back pairing with Ireland's Bundee Aki and Scotland's Huw Jones in midfield.
Scotland's Kinghorn is introduced into the back three at the expense of Ireland's James Lowe, alongside England's Tommy Freeman and Ireland's second Test hero Keenan.
"Last weekend's Test match in Melbourne was an incredible spectacle and illustrated how special Lions tours are and what it means to both the players and the supporters," said Farrell.
"We are expecting another epic battle this weekend against a Wallaby side that showed their quality last week."
British and Irish Lions (15-1):
Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne; James Ryan, Maro Itoje (capt); Tadgh Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell
mp/fox
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign
England flanker Marlie Packer will be available to feature in the opening match of the World Cup after being handed a one-match ban for her red card in Saturday's win over Spain. The 35-year-old was sent off in the second half of the Red Roses' 97-7 warm-up victory in Leicester following a clumsy clearout on the left leg of Spain full-back Claudia Pena. Packer's suspension rules her out of her country's final warm-up match, away to France on Saturday. Hosts England begin the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland. In determining the sanction, World Rugby's foul play review committee noted Packer accepted foul play occurred but she did not agree the offence warranted a red card. Her challenge, which did not result in injury to Harlequins player Pena, was deemed to be 'reckless'. The committee decided the offence warranted a two-match ban but opted to award full 50 per cent mitigation. England's 15-try success at Welford Road was Packer's first match as captain since being replaced in the full-time role by Zoe Aldcroft in January. The Saracens forward, who has 111 Test caps, led the Red Roses to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024 and is one of head coach John Mitchell's vice-captains.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Harry Brook century before dramatic dismissal takes England in sight of win
Harry Brook hit a potentially series-winning century before throwing away his bat and his wicket to leave Joe Root in charge of finishing off another remarkable chase in the fifth Test against India. Facing a towering target of 374, the Yorkshire pair came together under pressure on 106 for three and produced a staggeringly dominant partnership that carried them to 317 for four at tea. A demoralised India were on the verge of throwing in the towel when Brook swung so hard looking for a third successive boundary off Akash Deep that he sent his bat spiralling in the air as a simple catch looped to mid-off. He departed for 111 but Root was looking imperious as he reached the break on 98 not out alongside Jacob Bethell. Another 57 runs will seal a 3-1 home win and ensure the newly-minted Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy heads to Lord's. Mohammed Siraj botched a chance to change the course of the match when Brook skied a catch to fine-leg with just 19 to his name but, although he held the chance, the seamer stepped on the boundary then carried the ball over for six. England fans celebrated deliriously as a stunned Siraj realised what he had done, while Brook never looked back. He completed his 10th Test hundred in just 91 balls, his first in a fourth-innings pursuit, and hit the lion's share in a stand of 195. Should the hosts get over the line it will complete a hat-trick of stunning pursuits against India in the past three years, following their record 378 for three at Edgbaston in 2022 and 373 for five at Headingley in the first match of this series. They would also set a massive new record chase at Surrey's home, smashing the previous best of 263 set in 1902. Siraj had snatched the momentum with the last act on Saturday evening, bowling Zak Crawley with a clinical yorker, India made a promising start by removing Ben Duckett (54) and Ollie Pope (27) in the morning session. Duckett converted his overnight 34 into a fourth half-century of the series but played and missed repeatedly as he struggled against Siraj, finally nicking Prasidh Krishna to second slip. Krishna, gamely filling the considerable boots of the rested Jasprit Bumrah, came desperately close to pinning Root lbw for just three but saw his huge appeal rejected. Ball-tracking showed it was clipping leg stump, but it would not have been enough to overturn the decision. After an hour's play England had scraped together 37 runs, briefly accelerating as Pope hit three fours in an over off Krishna including one classy on-drive. But that was the end of a cameo rather than the start of something more substantial, Siraj charging in and nailing him in front of the stumps. At 106 for three, India had taken control but the arrival of Brook brought a screeching gear shift. He went for all-out aggression, at one stage lashing 27 runs in eight balls. That included a crunch through midwicket and a lavish six over cover off Deep before his near miss at fine-leg, risking his wicket but picking up six more for his efforts. Siraj looked mortified, with the English fans revelling in his anguish. Krishna, meanwhile, had to quietly shelve the celebrations he had already started to perform. The wheels fell off India's wagon in the afternoon, as a combination of defensive fields, passive captaincy and tired bodies left them short of answers. Brook and Root ruthlessly milked the situation, scoring a steady stream of ones and twos and waiting for the chance to hit fours. A ragged full toss from Ravindra Jadeja and a woeful misfield from Deep, who kicked the ball over the ropes after declining to use his hands, suggested the game was up as the required runs dropped to double figures. Brook looked to speed up after reaching a well-deserved hundred, lashing Deep for back-to-back fours before departing as his bat flew out of his hands. Bethell was lucky to escape a caught-and-bowled on one, Deep slipping as he turned, but Root finished the session in full control as he moved within two of his century.


Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
One-match ban leaves England's Packer available for Women's Rugby World Cup opener
LONDON (AP) — Flanker Marlie Packer will be available for England's opening match in the Women's Rugby World Cup after she received a one-match ban on Sunday. Stand-in captain Packer was sent off on Saturday during a 97-7 win over Spain in a World Cup warmup in Leicester. In a ruck clearout, her shoulder targeted and bent the leg of fullback Claudia Pena. Packer didn't accept it was a red card offense at her disciplinary hearing but the panel disagreed and considered the foul play reckless. She will miss England's final warmup against France next Saturday. England opens the World Cup against the United States on Aug. 22 in Sunderland. ___ AP rugby: