Who will get the nod for the Lions Tour decider? Warren Gatland is set to make changes for the third Test in a bid to clinch the series in South Africa… so here is Sportsmail’s verdict on which players should keep their place and who should come in
- Alun Wyn Jones has been in the thick of the forward battle and should play on
- Liam Williams deserves to start after Stuart Hogg’s aerial authority deserted him
- Robbie Henshaw should not be sacrificed in any potential selection revamp
Lions coach Warren Gatland has hinted he will make changes for the third Test in bid to clinch the series in South Africa.
The Lions were overpowered by the Boks forwards on Saturday and Gatland has some big calls to make in his team selection.
Sportsmail‘s Chris Foy gives his verdict on who should keep their place and who should come in on Saturday.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones was in the thick of the forward battle during the second Lions Test
Full back: Stuart Hogg’s aerial authority deserted him on Saturday and he didn’t threaten as a runner. Liam Williams deserves to start the third Test.
Right wing: Anthony Watson made some errors too, especially late on, but he had some flashes of attacking intent too and could just survive a purge.
Outside centre: Chris Harris started well in defence and imposed himself on the powerful Bok carriers. Barely received a pass but worth persisting with.
Inside centre: Robbie Henshaw was one of the Lions’ best players in the second Test and should not be sacrificed in any potential selection revamp.
Liam Williams deserves to start as Stuart Hogg’s aerial authority deserted him on Saturday
Left wing: Duhan van der Merwe has done nothing to justify his inclusion and was sin-binned for a wild trip on Cheslin Kolbe. Josh Adams should replace him.
Fly half: Dan Biggar followed orders by launching an aerial blitz but it didn’t work. Finn Russell has barely played on this tour but could be worth a gamble.
Scrum half: Conor Murray slowed the tempo and kept kicking, without much return. If the Lions are to move the big Boks around, Ali Price must be restored.
Loosehead prop: Mako Vunipola came under pressure in the scrum. If Wyn Jones is fit to return, he can add set-piece authority and breakdown prowess.
Robbie Henshaw (right) was one of the best players on Saturday and should not be sacrificed
Hooker: Luke Cowan-Dickie kept charging into the home defence with gusto but the lineout wobbled again. It may be time to restore Jamie George.
Tighthead prop: Tadhg Furlong was another Lions forward who was busy blasting away in the heavy traffic and the Irish giant should start again.
Lock: Maro Itoje was involved and influential as always, in the lineout, in defence, at rucks and as a carrier. After escaping being cited, he will start.
Lock: Alun Wyn Jones again made light of his recent shoulder dislocation, was in the thick of the forward battle, made dents and off-loads. Play on.
Blindside flanker: Courtney Lawes picked up where he left off in the first Test but couldn’t reach the same heights. Tadhg Beirne must be in contention.
Openside flanker: Tom Curry kept out of trouble better this time but the Boks largely negated his ruck threat. Still likely to edge out Hamish Watson.
No 8: Jack Conan was more peripheral than in the first Test. Taulupe Faletau has not been in vintage form but may return on reputation.
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