Lions make six changes for decider against South Africa
Josh Adams returns to the starting line-up for the third Test
©Steve Haag
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has made six changes to the starting line-up for the third and deciding Test against South Africa to be played at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
The decision follows after the Lions succumbed to a 27-9 defeat in the second game as the Springboks went on to level the series.
Owen Farrell, Taulupe Faletau, Anthony Watson and Stuart Hogg are out of the matchday squad with Liam Williams starting for the first time in the series and is slotted at fullback.
Wales international Josh Adams, who looked impressive in the tour games starts at right wing joined by Duhan van der Merwe at left.
With Chris Harris dropping out of the matchday squad, Robbie Henshaw shifts to outside centre making way for Bundee Aki at inside centre making it an all-Irish midfield.
Ali Price, who started at scrum-half in the first Test returns back pushing Conor Murray back into the bench while Wyn Jones has recovered from a shoulder injury to start at loosehead with Mako Vunipola dropping to the bench and Rory Sutherland is out of the playing squad.
Ken Owens also gains a promotion from the bench to don the number two jersey while Tadhg Furlong is retained at tight-head along with skipper Alun Wyn Jones and Maro Itoje, who continue their second row partnership and Jack Conan, Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes at back row.
Kyle Sinckler has been named among the replacements but his participation will depend on the outcome of the disciplinary hearing. Finn Russell, Adam Beard and Sam Simmonds also named on the bench for the first time in the series.
British & Irish Lions XV: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Josh Adams, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Wyn Jones
Reserves: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Finn Russell, 23 Elliot Daly
