MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 03:43:06| >> :600:8926808:8926808:

Five Lions players pushing for starts in South Africa series decider

Five Lions players pushing for starts in South Africa series decider
© Reuters
The likes of Liam Williams, Josh Adams and Wyn Jones are options.

The British and Irish Lions are considering a shake-up of their team following Saturday's 27-9 defeat by South Africa.

Here the PA news agency examines five players head coach Warren Gatland could call on to reinvigorate his starting XV for the series decider.

Liam Williams, full-back, Wales

With the benefit of hindsight, leaving Williams out of the first two Tests has been a selection blunder that must be rectified when the stakes are at their highest. Peerless under the high ball, Williams' brilliance in the air would have been invaluable as the bombs rained down at Cape Town Stadium. Stuart Hogg's strength lies in his running and counter-attacking, but against South Africa's suffocating gameplan these skills are a luxury.

Josh Adams, wing, Wales

Josh Adams has been in prolific try-scoring form for the Lions
Josh Adams has been in prolific tryscoring form for the Lions (Steve Haag/PA)

Of all the players to miss out on selection for the Test series, Adams can feel the most aggrieved. Eight tries in four appearances on his maiden Lions voyage painted an accurate picture of a ruthless finisher in the form of his life. But Gatland opted for the size and footwork of Duhan van der Merwe, a call that backfired through his indiscipline and inability to catch the ball. Adams will surely be given his chance with his aerial prowess an added bonus against the kick-happy Springboks.

Finn Russell, fly-half, Scotland

It would be a harsh call to drop Dan Biggar, who has been reasonable in difficult circumstances, but Gatland needs a fly-half with a touch of genius to unlock the most ferocious defence in the game. Russell has a dazzling array of skills that make him unorthodox but also capable of conjuring the unexpected. Pairing him alongside Ali Price in an all-Scotland half-back duo would be a bold statement of intent.

Wyn Jones, prop, Wales

Wyn Jones is a powerful scrummager
Wyn Jones is a powerful scrummager (Steve Haag/PA)

A shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from the starting XV for the first Test may have the final say, but the Lions need their best scrummaging loosehead prop on the field. South Africa's set-piece was revitalised last Saturday and they profited enormously. They will go hard again in the decider and Jones' expertise could help the tourists achieve parity. Mako Vunipola stood up well but his greatest impact on tour has been off the been and Gatland must be tempted to restore him to this role.

Taulupe Faletau, number eight, Wales

Picking Faletau would be a decision based on reputation rather than form because the big Wales number eight has made little impact on the tour to date. Even as a second-half replacement on Saturday his contribution was minimal, yet Jack Conan has been no more than solid at number eight and the back row needs new energy. Faletau's renown as a big game player would justify his selection, the gamble would come in whether he can deliver.

ID:457823:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect27511:
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
The British and Irish Lions celebrate beating South Africa on July 24, 2021
Read Next:
Alun Wyn Jones: 'We will be a different beast in decider'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
10am
Cachin
Ofner
10am
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
10am
Gasquet
Sonego
10am
Hanfmann
Mensik
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
10am
Lajovic
Monteiro
10am
Machac
Ruusuvuori
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
10am
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
10am
O'Connell
Arnaldi
10am
Purcell
Giron
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
10am
Tabilo
Cobolli
10am
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
10am
Azarenka
Maria
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
10am
Gauff
Rus
10am
Keys
Camelia-Begu
10am
Podoroska
Navarro
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Altmaier
Fils
10am
Darderi
Fritz
10am
Griekspoor
Daniel
10am
Munar
Struff
10am
Musetti
Seyboth Wild
10am
Navone
Rune
10am
Shevchenko
Alcaraz
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
10am
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
10am
Vekic
Sakkari
11.30am
Arango
Yastremska
11.30am
Osaka
Samsonova
11.30am
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
1pm
Haddad Maia
Errani
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!