What changes should the British and Irish Lions make ahead of series decider with New Zealand?

By Jack Wilkinson

Image: What changes should Warren Gatland make ahead of the third All Blacks Test?

The British and Irish Lions have their sights set on third and final Test with New Zealand - but should Warren Gatland make any changes ahead of the series decider?

The tourists recovered from defeat in the opening Test with a thrilling 21-24 victory over the 14-man All Blacks last weekend, setting up Saturday's eagerly-anticipated encounter in Auckland.

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Lions head coach Gatland has chopped and changed his matchday squad throughout the tour, but with everything resting on events at Eden Park it remains to be seen whether he will continue in the same vein.

Ahead of Saturday's winner-takes-all Test, live on Sky Sports, we argue the case for alterations...

Pick your Lions Test XV

Pick your British and Irish Lions XV for the third All Blacks Test

McGrath in for Mako?

The vast majority of the Lions who took part in Saturday's epic victory over New Zealand staked a significant claim to retain their positions for the series decider in Auckland. However, of the 19 involved, Mako Vunipola's spot is arguably most at threat after an error-strewn display which culminated in him being sent to the sin bin.

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Image: Mako Vunipola was sent to the bin in the second Test by referee Jerome Garces

Four of the tourists' 13 penalties at the Westpac Stadium came from the loosehead prop and that indiscipline, which so nearly settled the series in the All Blacks' favour, could well cost Vunipola his place in the starting XV.

Such a decision could ultimately benefit the Lions though, with likely replacement Jack McGrath's superior scrummaging ability capable of laying the foundation for the ball-carrying prowess of Vunipola to make its mark late on.

Also See:

'Get McGrath in for Mako'

Jack McGrath should start the third Test over Mako Vunipola, says Sean Fitzpatrick

What's more, introducing Vunipola from the bench served England well in their successful Six Nations campaign earlier this year, so who's to say the Lions cannot be the latest beneficiaries of this tactic?

Lawes in line to replace Jones?

Alun-Wyn Jones has been one of Gatland's go-to men in New Zealand, despite growing calls for the more dynamic options of Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes to be paired in the Tests. Itoje has since muscled his way into the Test XV to partner Jones, but could England counterpart Lawes be drafted in for Saturday's showdown?

Image: Has Courtney Lawes done enough to dislodge Alun-Wyn Jones at lock?

Like the majority of his Lions team-mates, Wales lock Jones endured a difficult time in the first Test, but he responded well in the second in Wellington, leading from the front during his bruising 60-minute stint.

His replacement Lawes certainly had an impact when called upon, with his tenacious defence and presence at the breakdown helping the Lions turn the game around with 15 points in the final quarter.

It would appear that one of the toughest calls Gatland faces boils down to a straight toss between the big-game experience and game-management of Jones, or the bludgeoning power of Lawes, with only time, and the outcome of Saturday's Test, determining whether the Lions coach's decision is vindicated.

Sky Sports' Will Greenwood & Sean Fitzpatrick look ahead to the final test and assess selection options ahead of the team announcements

Stick with Sexton and Farrell?

For all the pre-match hype and anticipation, the experimental midfield pairing of Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell struggled to impose themselves in what turned out to be an attritional second Test.

Image: Farrell and Sexton struggled in defence against New Zealand's direct attack in Wellington

Frequently knocked back in contact, Sexton and Farrell also found their attacking games hampered by the atrocious conditions, while Sonny Bill Williams' dismissal forced the All Blacks into retreat, thereby halting any prospect of an open game for the Lions duo to operate in.

Despite this, Sexton and Farrell played the duration of the game as Gatland opted against introducing Ben Te'o, despite conditions suiting the hard-hitting England centre.

However, with Highlanders centre Malakai Fekitoa, or Hurricanes battering ram Ngani Laumape, poised to replace the suspended Williams, the need to match fire with fire could well see Te'o whisked back into the fold in his hometown.

Image: Could Ben Te'o's physicality earn him a start against an All Blacks midfield missing Sonny Bill Williams?

O'Mahony or Tipuric to return?

Having been overlooked in favour of Peter O'Mahony in the first Test, Sam Warburton returned to captain the Lions to victory in Wellington. An assured display at six looks to have secured the Wales flanker's spot in the series decider alongside Ireland's Sean O'Brien, who is available after his citing was dismissed.

Image: Will first Test captain O'Mahony work his way back into the mix?

As a result, you would suspect any back row changes to occur on the bench, with Wales openside Justin Tipuric jostling with O'Mahony and CJ Stander to make the 23-man squad.

But where would opting for breakdown specialists leave the Lions if starter O'Brien picked up an injury in what is set to be a bruising encounter at Eden Park?

Sacrificing Stander for O'Mahony or Tipuric would leave the Lions light of ball-carrying back rows capable of breaking the gainline, bulk and presence they can ill-afford to go without against a smarting All Blacks outfit.

Image: Is Stander's ball-carrying ability too good for Gatland to overlook?

Rory the Best option?

Gatland opted against introducing Ken Owens in the second Test in Wellington as Jamie George played the full 80 minutes for the first time on the tour, and in his international career. The Saracens hooker has gone from strength to strength as the tour has progressed and his position in the starting XV looks as secure as any.

The same, however, cannot be said for those behind him, with little to separate back-up hookers Owens and Rory Best. The in-form hooker heading into the tour, Wales forward Owens has failed to build on the displays which earned him the captaincy against the Blues, while Ireland captain Best has been consigned to the midweek squad.

Image: Does Rory Best provide better back-up at hooker than Owens?

However, with a week-and-a-half's rest following the culmination of the Lions' midweek schedule, and Owens' omission fresh in the memory, Best could make a late swoop for a maiden Lions Test appearance.

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