Overview

• Andy Farrell installed Blair Kinghorn on the left wing for James Lowe and promoted James Ryan to partner Maro Itoje in the second row, with Ollie Chessum moving to the bench.
• The tour coach stuck with a forward-heavy replacements bench, selecting six forwards and two backs to counter forecast wet conditions at Accor Stadium.
• Garry Ringrose was ruled out of the Sydney Test by a 12-day concussion return-to-play protocol, ending his hopes of participating in the final match.
• Joe McCarthy, Sione Tuipulotu and Mack Hansen returned to training after injury but were omitted as Farrell resisted broader rotation in pursuit of his strongest available side.
• Australia countered with veteran scrum-half Nic White, debutant Dylan Pietsch on the wing and prop Taniela Tupou in the front row to try to avert the Wallabies’ first clean sweep by the Lions since 1927.