Tuipulotu to miss hometown Test due to tight hamstring
Porter in for Genge, Chessum replaces injured McCarthy
Sione Tuipulotu has been left out of the British & Irish Lions side to face Australia on Saturday with Bundee Aki coming in at inside centre and Owen Farrell named on the bench.
Andy Farrell has named nine Ireland players with Andrew Porter replacing Ellis Genge at loosehead while in the other change to the starting XV, Ollie Chessum replaces the injured Joe McCarthy as the Lions look to wrap up the series in Melbourne. It would have been 10 Irishmen with Garry Ringrose initially selected, only to withdraw after training on Thursday morning.
Owen Farrell is named among the replacements after captaining the side to a 24-19 victory over the First Nations & Pasifika XV on Tuesday while there are also bench spots for Jac Morgan, Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan. Assuming he comes on to the field, Farrell will win his first Test cap since England’s 2023 World Cup bronze medal-match victory over Argentina. He has six previous Lions Test caps to his name and is set to make his 22nd appearance for the touring side.
