Bundee Aki given starting role as Andy Farrell tweaks Lions team for second Test
Andy Farrell has named three changes to his British and Irish Lions side for their second Test against Australia on Saturday.
Bundee Aki and Andrew Porter have both come into the starting XV to replace Sione Tuipulotu and Ellis Genge, while Joe McCarthy has lost his starting spot to Ollie Chessum.
McCarthy suffered a foot injury and Tuipulotu has a tight hamstring which has led to the pair dropping out of the squad altogether.
Andy Farrell has made three changes to the side. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Meanwhile, Genge is bumped down to the replacements bench.
Aki will be paired alongside Huw Jones at centre, with Andy Farrell originally selecting Garry Ringrose for an all-Irish duo before he ‘selflessly’ removed himself from selection due to concussion symptoms.
Elsewhere in the side, the back three remains unchanged with full-back Hugo Keenan starting alongside wingers Tommy Freeman and James Lowe.
The front-row is now an fully Irish affair with Porter joining Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.
Captain Maro Itoje now has an Englishman beside him in the second-row with Ollie Chessum.
Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan all retain their places to make up the rest of the starting team.
Tom Curry celebrates scoring against Australia. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
On the bench, Rónan Kelleher, Will Stuart and Alex Mitchell keep their spots while Welsh back-row Jac Morgan, James Ryan, Owen Farrell and full-back Blair Kinghorn all join the matchday squad.
Farrell said: ‘We have put ourselves in a good position after the first Test, but we know there will be a massive reaction from this Wallaby team.
‘Everyone saw the quality they have in Brisbane and we know we will have to be a lot better than we were last week.
‘The opportunity to play in front of 100,000 supporters at the MCG, one of the world’s most iconic stadiums, is what makes Lions tours unique and special.
‘We know our Lions supporters will get behind the team on Saturday and create a fantastic atmosphere.’
Tom Lynagh will once again start against the Lions. Pic: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Lock Will Skelton, back-row Rob Valetini and hooker David Porecki return to start in a major boost for the Wallabies.
Schmidt remarked: ‘The squad has recovered well after a very physical first Test and the week’s preparation here in Melbourne has allowed us a bit more time together.
‘We took some confidence from the second half last week, but we know we’ll need to improve further against a Lions team that will bring plenty of fire to the contest on Saturday night.’
The match kicks-off at 11am Irish time on Saturday, July 26.
British and Irish Lions team: Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Maro Itoje (c), Ollie Chessum, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn.
Australia team: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Will Skelton, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c).
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson.
