Sir Ian McGeechan has been left ‘puzzled’ by a number of selections in Warren Gatland’s Lions XV for their series decider against South Africa.
Gatland has made six changes to his starting team after the Lions’ heavy loss in the second test, with most of those coming in the back three and the front row.
However, former Lions coach McGeechan revealed in his column for The Telegraph that he’d have liked further alterations.
“So I have enormous admiration for what Gats has achieved when push comes to shove in one of the most high-pressure situations any rugby coach will find themselves.
“Yet I have to confess that he has made several selectorial decisions which are very different to those I would have made.”
Check out the changes McGeechan would have made with his revised XV at the end.
#1. Jamie George for Ken Owens
McGeechan said: “The most puzzling forward selection is Owens, who had a torrid time at the lineout last week. If the Lions are to win, they need to get tempo from the set-piece and in particular the lineout. I’d have put him on the bench and started with Jamie George, whose lineout throws are by far the most accurate.
Embed from Getty Images#2. Tadhg Beirne for Courtney Lawes
McGeechan said: I would have liked to see the back five of the scrum changed at least a bit. Courtney Lawes has had one good half so I’d have started with Tadhg Beirne at No 6.
Embed from Getty Images