Warren Gatland announced his Lions team for the second Test on Tuesday. Who should he pick to try to seal the series?
Our rugby correspondents take a look.
You can see the latest injury news from the squad here.
Six changes make sense – Mark Orders
Never change a winning team?
It’s an old adage that shouldn’t be adhered to rigidly.
Warren Gatland showed he wasn’t bothered too much by it when he dropped two players after launching his Wales reign in style by beating England at Twickenham in 2008.
He’d be wise to discard the advice again this week.
For the Lions will need to be better if they are to close out the series against South Africa by winning the second Test.
It’s a game for which the best XV in the squad should be chosen, regardless of how much change that involves.
Liam Williams, Chris Harris and Josh Adams would strengthen the backline, adding an extra layer of defensive solidity for a match that could be the most physical those chosen will ever play. Williams has better aerial skills than Stuart Hogg and is a stronger defender. Adams is a more complete wing than Duhan van der Merwe. Both should not have been left out of the starting XV for the opening Test.
If fit, Wyn Jones should reclaim the No. 1 shirt that would have been his had not a sore shoulder ruled him out of the series opener.
Alongside him, the iron man from Carmarthen, Ken Owens, should feature at hooker.
A final alteration would see Taulupe Faletau come in, because he’s the best No. 8 available to the Lions and has huge big-game experience. Tough on Jack Conan, perhaps, but Saturday will be all about winning. Sentiment shouldn’t come into it.
Mark Orders’ Lions XV: Liam Williams; Anthony Watson, Chris Harris, Robbie Henshaw, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Ali Price; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Taulupe Faletau.
This Test series is not for Elliot Daly – Ben James
If last week’s selection was tough, then this one might be even harder.
Gatland’s first Test team raised some eyebrows but he was largely vindicated with his decisions.
However, mixing things up against a Boks team that will be champing at the bit isn’t the worst idea.
I’m not sure this Test series is made for Elliot Daly in the centre, given the lack of space in those wider channels, so it’s a case of whether you bring in Chris Harris or Owen Farrell to midfield.
Harris’ defensive skills are tempting, but the kicking ability of Farrell could offer the Lions’ more options in the aerial game.
Duhan van der Merwe did a fine job on the wing and I’d have no issues with retaining him, but Liam Williams’ aerial ability is needed somewhere in the back-three and the wing could well be the best spot in terms of kick-chasing.
The other change I’d make would be bringing in Taulupe Faletau for Jack Conan. Again, the Irishman didn’t let anyone down and carried consistently if unspectacularly.
However, bringing one of his most trusted lieutenants into the squad in the form of Faletau could well offer the Lions’ pack some added impetus.
As for the rest of the side, loose-head prop and hooker could be tempting to change – especially if Wyn Jones recovers in time. That seems unlikely though, so I’d expect Gatland to stick with the rest of his pack.
Ben James’ Lions XV: Stuart Hogg; Anthony Watson, Robbie Henshaw, Owen Farrell, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Taulupe Faletau.
Pack should remain unchanged – Matt Southcombe
I was an advocate of starting Josh Adams in the first Test instead of Duhan van der Merwe but now we’re starting to see how the Test series is going to play out.
There’s going to be a lot of kicking in this Test series and, as we saw last Saturday, whoever rules the skies is probably going to win the Test match.
Adams is better than his Scottish team-mate in the air but it doesn’t really play to either of their major strengths. That’s why I think Liam Williams has to come in, because he is arguably the best in the back three when it comes to gathering high balls.
The Lions overplayed at times last weekend and Elliot Daly was the fall guy for that but I think they need to beef up their midfield, which is why I’d shift Henshaw out one and put Farrell in at 12.
The pack was outstanding last weekend and, if Wyn Jones isn’t passed fit, I’d leave it as it is.
Gatland’s replacements had the perfect impact on the match and I’d be inclined to run the tape again in that regard.
Matt Southcombe’s Lions XV: Stuart Hogg; Anthony Watson, Robbie Henshaw, Owen Farrell, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones; Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Conan
Pick your Lions team for the second Test Aki and Adams to start – Simon Thomas
If fully fit, I would go for Wyn Jones at loosehead prop, as he has performed so well on tour and offers a great deal with his scrummaging and his ability over the ball.
But the shoulder problem which forced his late withdrawal from the first Test appears to remain an issue, so Mako Vunipola gets the nod after his big display off the bench last Saturday.
Ken Owens was another front row sub to make a sizeable impact with the energy and scrum solidity he brought and I would go for his experience and set-piece assurance from the start.
In the centre, my inclination would be to move Robbie Henshaw out one and renew his long-standing partnership with Bundee Aki.
The introduction of the hard-running Aki would also facilitate the selection of the more rounded Josh Adams on the wing ahead of Duhan van der Merwe, while retaining back-line carrying presence.
Simon Thomas’ XV: Stuart Hogg; Anthony Watson, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Ali Price; Mako Vunipola, Ken Owens, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Jack Conan
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