Ten Irish players would have made team to play Australia only for Garry Ringrose’s concussion symptoms
has sought to re-energise his Wallabies team with the return of big bad Will Skelton and Rob Valetini among three changes to the Wallabies pack for Saturday’s pivotal second Test in the MCG. But far from resting on his laurels, in seeking the improvement he believes the Lions will need to take a decisive 2-0 series lead, Andy Farrell has sought to do the same.
Ringrose had stood down for 10 days and missed the first Test due to the concussive symptoms he reported the day after the Brumbies game a fortnight ago as he had suffered concussion in Ireland’s Six Nations win over Scotland.Will Skelton named in Australia team to play LionsFarrell is also seeking more oomph from his bench.
This is a very Andy Farrell-like selection, for Aki will bring more punch than Tuipulotu, if not as much subtlety. Aki is also a big-game player who invariably performs for Farrell, and then there is Farrell jnr to see it home.It will be a big ask for Farrell snr and the occasion to inspire Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry to the same heights as last week, but the coach is able to emotionally inspire players, especially those of his own ilk, like Aki and the aforementioned duo.
Amid all of this, it should be a cause of celebration that after supplying a record eight to a Lions’ starting XV in a Test last week, this figure has risen to nine for the second Test, and it would have been 10 had Ringrose not been withdrawn of his own volition.
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