Andy Farrell has gone for what he knows best as the Lions bid to wrap up the series in Melbourne on Saturday.
Lions vs Australia - Second Test
Lions Head Coach Andy Farrell has picked a record nine Irishmen in his starting XV to face Australia in Saturday's second test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
That number would have been 10 had outside centre Garry Ringrose not withdrawn from the side after feeling the side effects of concussion in training.
The Lions are looking to wrap up their eighth series win against Australia, losing only in 1930 and 2001 - two years after Australia's last Rugby World Cup win.
Australia vs Lions Rugby Prediction
Last week, we correctly predicted that the Lions would win the match but that the bookmakers had got the handicap line about spot on. Australia would have come out as handicap winners, with most pricing them at +10.5 points (final score 19-27).
Seven days on, we see pretty much the same thing with most bookmakers between +10, +10.5 or +11 for Australia depending on whether you want to eliminate the tie.
If you can get close to evens for Australia to win with an 11-point start with your preferred bookmaker (currently 10/11 William Hill), we don't mind this angle as the Wallabies will be stronger for the return of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini.
- The Lions are 80% likely to beat Australia at the MCG even at best odds of 1/4
- Andy Farrell has made seven changes to his 23-man squad, three in the starting lineup and four on the bench which includes his son Owen
- The bookmakers make it more than 90% likely that the Lions wrap up the series win either this weekend in Melbourne or next Saturday in Sydney
- There are a whole host of new and existing customer offers available for the Lions vs Australia test series
Lions vs Australia Odds
| First Test Result | Best Odds | Worst Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Lions | 1/4 | 1/6 |
| Australia | 4/1 | 3/1 |
| Draw | 33/1 | 20/1 |
Lions vs Australia Lineups
The Lions have promoted Ollie Chessum to replace the injured Joe McCarthy at lock, while Ellis Genge loses his starting place at loosehead to Andrew Porter. James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Owen Farrell and Blair Kinghorn are the other changes to the bench.
Lions Team to Play Australia
Keenan, Freeman, Jones, Aki, Lowe, Russell, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Itoje, Chessum, Beirne, Curry, Conan.
Replacements: Kelleher, Genge, Stuart, Ryan, Morgan, Mitchell, Farrell, Kinghorn.
Australia Team to Play Lions
Wright, Jorgensen, Suaalii, Ikitau, Potter, Lynagh, Gordon; Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Skelton, Valetini, McReight, Wilson.
Replacements: Pollard, Bell, Robertson, Williams, Gleeson, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson.
Lions vs Australia Kick Off Time
The second test between the British and Irish Lions and Australia kicks off at 11am BST on Saturday 26th July. Every Lions match is screened live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action, rebranded to ‘Sky Sports The Lions’ for each Test weekend.
Lions vs Australia Rugby Betting Tips
Our favourite bet for the first test was Huw Jones to score anytime, denied by the TMO for a contentious double movement. We wouldn't put you off going back in with the same bet at 15/8, particularly with no obvious 13 replacement on the bench this week.
Instead, our best bet for the second test is the Lions to win both halves. Even with the Wallaby reinforcements, the Lions clearly possess the stronger starting team and you won't see the same second half drop-off with two standard-setters in Jac Morgan and Owen Farrell drafted on to the bench.
