Andy Farrell favours Lions’ reputation over form ahead of Australia clash

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

Andy Farrell is banking on players with outstanding pedigree stepping up for the Lions in their series opener against Australia on Saturday, because his likely line-up is not awash with form picks. Pic: David Rogers/Getty Images

STELLAR REPUTATIONS

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

The visitors are set to rely on a side full of stellar reputations, but in several positions, the players who have performed best are expected to miss out. Pic: David Rogers/Getty Images

IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

That is certainly the case at No. 8, where Ben Earl has made more of an impact than Jack Conan, but the Ireland specialist is preferred. Pic: INPHO/Billy Sitckland

FARRELL KNOWS BEST

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

There are other examples, as the head coach follows what so many predecessors have done by trusting players he knows best. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland

KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

James Lowe has been operating far below his exalted standards on the left wing, but he should make the cut, partly due to the injuries which have hampered back-three contenders Blair Kinghorn and Mack Hansen. Pic: Matt King/Getty Images

GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

At scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park is another member of the Leinster and Ireland contingent who will be deployed en masse in the belief that he will soar to a performance peak when needed. Pic: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

MAN OF THE MATCH

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

He was named man of the match against the Brumbies, but had blown hot and cold. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland

FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

Even the great Tadhg Furlong has just about located second gear — he is not at full tilt. Pic: Steve Christo/Sportsfile

SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

However, there are pockets of form. Ellis Genge and Dan Sheehan are on a thunderous roll in the front row. At lock, Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy have stood out with towering exploits. Pic: Steve Christo/Sportsfile

A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

FARRELL BANKS ON PLAYERS, STELLAR REPUTATIONS, IRELAND SPECIALIST PREFERRED, FARRELL KNOWS BEST, KINGHORN AND HANSEN HAMPERED, GIBSON-PARK DEPLOYED EN MASSE, MAN OF THE MATCH, FURLONG LOCATES SECOND GEAR, SHEEHAN'S THUNDEROUS ROLL, A 'FINGERS-CROSSED' FEELING

There is a fingers-crossed feeling about some of the marginal selections, but even allowing for the misgivings, this potential line-up should have far too much firepower for the Australians. Pic: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

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