Andy Farrell describes the final game of his British & Irish Lions ‘Class of 25’ in Sydney on Saturday as ‘one last push’ as his players chase immortality in becoming the first side since 1904 to go through a capped series on tour with a 100 per cent success rate (kick-off 11.00am BST Live on Sky Sports).
Willie John McBride’s team of 1974 were unbeaten on their trip to South Africa, but were frustrated in their final Test against the Springboks when they ended up with a draw. It still meant they went through the four match series without defeat.
But no team since the Lions of 1904 has completed a clean sweep of a three or four match Test series played in Australia, South Africa or New Zealand. The 1937 team did win 3-0 in Argentina, but that was a team selected by the RFU, rather than the Four Nations Committee.
So, Farrell’s side will have a very special goal in mind when they take the field in Sydney to try to back up their 27-19 win in Brisbane and then last weekend’s last-gasp 29-26 win at the MCG in Melbourne.
“I never think you should shy away from shooting for the stars because you might end up on the moon,” said Farrell.
“That’s the quality that we’re chasing. I don’t think you should shy away from challenging each other, and if you don’t get there, then hopefully it’s somewhere near.
“It sets the mentality in my mind of what delivering means, and you’ve always got a level to aim at.”
Wales and Ospreys skipper Jac Morgan is primed to be used off the bench once again and could join the Welsh players who starred in the 1904 side in Australia – Willie Llewellyn, Rhys Gabe, Teddy Morgan, Percy Bush, Sid Bevan, Arthur Harding and Tommy Vile.
Farrell has made one change in his back division, bringing in Blair Kinghorn on the left wing for James Lowe, and one up front, where James Ryan takes over from Ollie Chessum in the second row. There is a 6-2 split on the bench, with Ben Earl joining Morgan as a back row option.
The Wallabies have been hit by injuries to prop Alan Alaalatoa and back row star Rob Valetini. Tight head Taniela Tupou, who has already played twice against the tourists, has been drafted into the front row, while Brumbies flanker Tom Hooper takes over from Valetini.
Aussie head coach Joe Schmidt has also brought veteran scrum half Nic White back into his starting XV as he seeks to salvage something from the series at the last attempt.
Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Tom Lynagh, Nic White; James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (captain)
Reps: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew KellawayBritish & Irish Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (captain), James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan
Reps: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell