Big week ahead for Lions hoping to make Test squad

Time is short in Australia to make an impression on Andy Farrell and be one of the 23 in Brisbane on 19 July

The British & Irish Lions have barely started their trek around Australia, but the all-important Test series is fast approaching. Some definitive selection calls will soon have to be made and this week’s games will be pivotal for certain individuals. The Breakdown takes a look at the five main areas of debate.

Front row

Dan Sheehan, as expected, has emerged as the Lions’ Test hooker in waiting. The moment he was asked to lead the side in Perth, taking over from the tour captain, Maro Itoje, it was a sure indicator of how highly Andy Farrell rates him. Ronan Kelleher and Luke Cowan-Dickie are probably contesting the bench spot; some consistent lineout darts from Kelleher against the Reds on Saturday could go a long way towards securing it.

At loose-head prop, this is also a big game for Andrew Porter if he intends to start ahead of Ellis Genge. The latter was in rip-snorting mode against Argentina and the Lions need powerful, unapologetic ball-carriers. Which leaves tight-head, still an area with a slight question hovering over it from Farrell’s perspective. Everyone knows how good Tadhg Furlong can be; the question is whether the big man can now replicate his past heroics. Finlay Bealham, only on the tour after Zander Fagerson’s injury, took his chance against the Pumas but a commanding display by Will Stuart this week could yet help the Englishman book himself a starting role in the first Test back in Brisbane on 19 July.

Second row

The lock conversation is fascinating. Itoje, as captain, is the first name on the Lions team-sheet but big Joe McCarthy had such a high-class game in Perth that it will be tough to leave him out of the first Test, particularly with the Wallabies primed to come hard early on. Some people thrive in the rarefied air of a Lions tours and the 24-year-old McCarthy – right down to his Aussie-style mullet – is relishing the opportunity.

But if Itoje and McCarthy end up starting, that would probably require the Lions to consider a third lineout option at No 6, almost certainly Tadhg Beirne. There is just one snag. Beirne, by his absurdly high standards, has yet to show the absolute best of himself in his two games. Does Farrell back him to come good or slide him back into the second row at the in-form McCarthy’s expense?

The door remains fractionally open, consequently, for the combative Ollie Chessum if he has a barnstormer alongside Itoje against the Reds. Should Farrell opt for a 6-2 bench – and even if he doesn’t – Chessum could easily be in the Test squad conversation.

Back row

The blindside conundrum is further complicated by the presence of Tom Curry, the sort of relentless operator every coach loves to have. The Wallabies will have big Rob Valetini in that position and the Lions can not afford to let him roam free. Should Beirne start at six, though, that means deploying Curry either at 7 or 8 or else on the bench. Finding a slot at openside will be tricky given Josh van der Flier’s timely return to form; the Irishman is experienced, reliable and showed up well in Perth.

Then there is Henry Pollock: the reason Farrell likes the 20-year-old is that he brings pace and dynamism few others possess. The Reds game is massive, accordingly, for Jack Conan who was probably the narrow frontrunner for the No 8 shirt (in the absence of Caelan Doris) – when the squad was unveiled.

Ben Earl has had limited opportunity to show the form that has made him an England regular. The most compelling option of the lot? What a shame Jack Willis – brilliant again for Toulouse in the Top 14 final – is not here.

Midfield

The Test half-back pairing, barring injuries, is set to be Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell, but the combination that will start outside them is less certain. On paper, Sione Tuipulotu would be the perfect foil for Russell at 12, but the Glasgow Warrior has not played much this year. Farrell has also mixed and matched, declining to use the all-Irish duo of Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose or the Scottish combo of Tuipulotu and Huw Jones for the moment.

The selection to watch, as a result, will be the side to face the Waratahs on Saturday; Farrell may well be tempted to trial his optimal backline against the Brumbies in Canberra the following Wednesday. If Aki and Ringrose are picked it could be good news for “Huwipulotu” as the regular Scottish partnership has become known.

Back three

Similarly it is easy to imagine Farrell being tempted to plump for two Ireland wingers who are used to dovetailing in a green jersey. James Lowe is such a smart footballer and has helped to create a couple of stunning tries in Perth. Mack Hansen is a different type of player but his kick-chase ability and energy also make him an awkward opponent. Unless this week changes the narrative completely. Maybe the powerful Duhan van der Merwe will take the Reds to the cleaners? Perhaps Tommy Freeman will remind everyone of his aerial ability, a vital area against the Wallabies? Then there is the battle at full-back. Blair Kinghorn, last seen celebrating in his Toulouse budgie smugglers, has finally arrived and will almost certainly feature against the Waratahs. In his absence, Elliot Daly has not put a foot wrong and Hugo Keenan has plenty of credit in the Bank of Farrell. A Test back-three of Kinghorn, Lowe and Hansen – with Daly on the bench – would not be a surprise but nothing is set in stone.

Weather watch

The Lions have been in Australia for a little more than a week but they are already growing accustomed to increasing climatic extremes. Having swapped the clear blue skies of Perth for a damp Brisbane their next destination will be Sydney, which is braced for heavy storms and torrential rain over the next 24 hours or so. After that comes Canberra where temperatures on the night of the match are forecast to dip down close to or below zero. With better drained pitches and more enclosed stadiums, the weather should not massively affect the Lions, but, tactically, the touring side are keen to play a good deal of ball-in-hand rugby. If it hoses down again when they return to “Brisvegas” for the first Test they may yet have to demonstrate they can be a team for all seasons.

Memory lane

Leicester Tigers’ new signing – and former Wallaby fly-half – James O’Connor became the youngest player to feature for a Super Rugby franchise when he came off the bench for Western Force against Queensland Reds in 2008. Pictured in his debut season against the Brumbies, O’Connor, now a veteran 34-year-old who has plied his trade with the Super Rugby Pacific winners Canterbury Crusaders this year, was overlooked by Australia’s coach Joe Schmidt in favour of three younger pivots for the Lions series warm-up Test against Fjji.

And finally …

This is also a significant week for Australian rugby. Yes, the bulk of their Wallaby squad players are away preparing for the Test series, but it will still be instructive to see how the Reds and the Waratahs – and subsequently the Brumbies – front up. With some mix-and-match opposition to come – an Invitational Aus/NZ XV and a First Nations & Pasifika XV – the tour needs at least one of Australia’s Super Rugby franchises to stand up and be counted.

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