Lions sweat on Irish duo as injuries cast shadow over second Test selection against Australia
But there is optimism within the camp that the Irish pair will be fit for Saturday's second
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Andy Farrell has some selection decisions to make ahead of the second test vs Australia
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Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen are injury concerns for the Lions
Hansen, who missed the first Test due to a foot injury, could be in contention to feature at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this weekend.
The Leinster lock was forced off early in the second half during the Lions' 28-19 victory in Brisbane.
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But the Lions received a boost with the return of Blair Kinghorn and Garry Ringrose to training.
And
Speaking on Monday, he said: "You get to this stage in any tour, but there is still loads to be played out.
"There's an opportunity for guys to play in a Lions jersey tomorrow, and opportunities for those performances to get a return on being involved next Saturday and the week after.
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"There's still so much to play for, for us as a team, but for guys individually as well.
"I think it's probably unspoken, but they know it's there. They know that there's an opportunity.
England rugby stars marched off pitch after lightning strikes vs USA.. with match already delayed by hour due to storms
"They know that every time they get an opportunity to perform, I think Faz [head coach Andy Farrell] in his selection has, on the whole, given guys opportunities based on a number of things.
"But one of them being some of the performances that they've created on tour.
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"I don't think it will be any different tomorrow, with the prize potentially of being involved in the second or third Test.
"The selection meeting won't happen until after tomorrow night.
"That can't happen because we need to make sure that we're fully focused on that game and giving guys that are involved in that game an opportunity."
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Irish Examiner
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