Wales’ sole Lion on tour, Jac Morgan, has been selected on the bench for the second test of the series against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Morgan missed the first Lions test as head coach Andy Farrell prefered starting flankers Tadhg Beirne and Tom Curry, along with Ben Earl as the replacement.

The Lions have made three changes to their starting XV, with Andrew Porter swapping with Ellis Genge at loosehead, and Ollie Chessum and Bundee Aki coming in for the injured duo of Joe McCarthy and Sione Tuipulotu.

Garry Ringrose was supposed to come into the team for Huw Jones, but had to pull out, citing a concussion that had already kept him out of the first test.

Selected in the team ahead of Huw Jones, the Irishman took himself out of the team after telling Andy Farrell that he was not right.

Morgan replaces Ben Earl on the bench, while James Ryan is the spare lock. Owen Farrell – son of head coach Andy – replaces Marcus Smith and fit-again Blair Kinghorn takes the 23 shirt.

There are nine Irish players in the test starting XV, with nine Leinster players in the squad.

After losing the first test 19-27, Australia have rung the changes, with a number of big players returning from injuries that kept them out of last weekend’s match.

Will Skelton, Dave Porecki and Rob Valetini beef up the pack, while Joe Schmidt has picked a 6-2 bench with the intention of matching the Lions’ physicality.

The Wallabies head coach has kept faith with the back line that underperformed in Brisbane, with Tom Lynagh continuing at fly-half and Tate McDermott – who impressed off the bench – staying as a replacement.

Teams

Australia

Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Akuso Sua’ali’i, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Allan Alaalatoa; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).

Replacements

Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson.

British and Irish Lions

Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum; Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.

Replacements

Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell, Blair Kinghorn.

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