The Lions have lost one game and emerged victorious from another so far in their quest to repeat their triumph in 2013. Their third opponent is their second Australian opposition - the Queensland Reds. They are a stronger side than the Force and should provide a much tougher test, so let's look at who Farrell has selected to take on this challenge and who Les kiss has chosen to cause an upset.
Team news
British and Irish Lions
1.Andrew Porter 2.Ronan Kelleher 3.Will Stuart 4.Maro Itoje(C) 5.Ollie Chessum
6.Tom Curry 7.Jac Morgan 8.Jack Conan 9.Jameson Gibson-Park 10.Finn Russell
11.Duhan Van der Merwe 12.Bundee Aki 13.Huw Jones 14.Tommy Freeman 15.Hugo Keenan
16.Luke Cowan-Dickie 17.Ellis Genge 18.Finlay Bealham 19.James Ryan
20.Ben Earl 21.Alex Mitchell 22.Fin Smith 23.Gary Ringrose
Queensland Reds
1.Aidan Ross 2.Matt Faessler 3.Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen 4.Josh Canham 5.Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6.Sean Uru 7.John Bryant 8.Joe Brial 9.Kalani Thomas 10.Harry Mclaughlin-Phillips
11.Tim Ryan 12.Hunter Paisami 13.Josh Flook 14.Lachie Anderson 15.Jock Campbell
16.Josh Nasser 17.George Blake 18.Sef Fa'agase 19.Ryan Smith
20.Angus Blyth 21.Connor Vest 22.Louis Werchon 23.Isaac Henry
Andy Farrell has rotated once again to give more players a chance to show what they can bring to the team. In the front row, Andrew Porter is the third loosehead prop to get a start on this tour and will be looking to make a statement after Gene's performance against Argentina. Ronan Kelleher gets a start at hooker after being a substitute for the first couple of games. In the second row, Maro Itoje will reprise his role as captain alongside Ollie Chessum who has been given his first start of the tour. In the back row, Curry and Morgan return at flanker in a repeat of the Argentina game. The change in the back row comes at number 8 with Conan replacing Pollock. Conan is the only specialist number 8 in the squad but seems to be facing an uphill battle to actually start at his position ahead of Earl and Pollock. This is is first big chance to put down a marker.
Finn Russell has been given another start at fly-half but will have a different scrum-half playing alongside him after Tomos Williams was forced to withdraw from the squad through injury. Scotland's Ben White has been called up to replace him but isn't in the squad for Wednesday. Instead, Gibson-Park has regained his fitness and is going to make his first appearance of the tour. His partnership with Finn Russell could be a defining part of this tour so this game is important for getting things off to a good start. In the midfield, Andy Farrell has selected another different combination with Aki and Jones starting together. Gary Ringrose will likely replace one of them when he comes off the bench. On the wings. Van der Merwe and Freeman make a return together with a point to prove after mixed performances against Argentina and the solid showings of Lowe and Hansen. DVDM is obviously a good attacker but will need to show significantly better defensive skills to earn himself a spot ahead of two players who are highly trusted by Andy Farrell. Hugo Keenan is making his first tour appearance which means that the Lions will play their first game with a specialist fullback.
As for the Reds, they are without several key players who are either away with the Wallabies or with injuries. Amongst those missing are: Tate McDermott, Fraser Mcreight and Harry Wilson. Despite that, this is still a strong side. Tim Ryan can score from anywhere on the pitch and Hunter Paisami is a powerhouse in midfield. Salakaia-Loto is a massive presence in the pack and will be joined by Faessler who has been release by Joe Schmidt to play in this game.
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