Sam Warburton selects 'much-changed' Lions XV for series finale

Sunday, 01 August 2021 at 11:26

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byRugby Rucker

Sky Sports pundit Sam Warburton has speculated who could come in for the series finale against South Africa after Warren Gatland hinted there will be changes.

The two-time Lions skipper knows all about a Lions series decider having led the Lions to glory in the third and final Test against Australia in 2013 and four years later to a series draw against New Zealand.

"It will be a massive week. The interesting thing is that Lions is a team that always gets better the more they play with each other. In this occasion, which is unusual, it is South Africa who are getting better.

"They were significantly better than they were in the first Test.

"Already we are looking at what changes the Lions can make to counter that Springbok aerial game. There will be plenty of debates going on this week but the Lions still have the opportunity to get a historic win in South Africa."

Check out the selection based on what Warburton has suggested previously below.

SAM WARBURTON'S POSSIBLE LIONS XV:

BACK-THREE:

15 .Liam Williams
for Stuart Hogg (Scotland)
14. Anthony Watson (England)
11. Josh Adam (Wales) for Duhan van de Merwe (Scotland)

Warburton said: " It seems obvious that Josh Adams has to come in on the wing now and Liam Williams at full back, too, to counter that threat."

CENTRES:

13. Bundee Aki (Ireland) for Chris Harris (Scotland)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Ireland)

HALFBACKS:

10. Owen Farrell (England)
9. Conor Murray (Ireland)

Warburton said: "On Sky Sports after the game the former Ireland and Lions fly half Ronan O’Gara was asked to name his back line for next weekend and he went with Conor Murray and Owen Farrell at half back, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw in the centre, Adams and Anthony Watson on the wings and Williams at full back. I can’t disagree with any of that. Farrell’s defence and leadership at fly half will certainly be strongly considered"

FRONT-ROW:

1. Mako Vunipola (England)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (England)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)

Warburton said: "Up front I am not so sure that there will be changes. That forward pack did so well in the first Test, and do you lose faith with them now? Maybe “Gats” could use his bench a bit sooner."

SECOND-ROW:

4. Alun Wyn Jones (Wales)
5. Maro Itoje (England)

BACK-ROW:

6. Josh Navidi (Wales) for Courtney Lawes
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Wales)

Warburton said: " I do think he will consider Josh Navidi in some sort of role. He is such a hard, rugged player, whose collision dominance, as they call it, is second to none, that he could be the man for this final Test."