Testing times Farrell's selection dilemmas for first Australia clash

Head coach has several decisions to make with first Test nine days away, not least who to play at No 7, while Farrell Jr could also force his way in, writes Robert Kitson

- Robert Kitson

Van der Flier, Curry, Morgan or Pollock?

The Lions have barely had a second for reflection lately. Is it Thursday in Canberra or Friday in Adelaide? Either way, there is another game just around the corner. With scant time for proper training, the management have been relying on players sticking their hands up on matchdays but no one, as yet, has nailed down the No 7 jersey.

This matters because the Wallabies will be strong at the breakdown and possess an array of jackal threats.

If Toulouse's Jack Willis were here the conversation might be different but there is probably one starting spot to be contested between Josh van der Flier, Jac Morgan, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock.

Curry had the chance to stake an unanswerable claim against the Brumbies but, in common with many others, had a tricky evening. The other three are all involved against the Australia-New Zealand Invitational XV this weekend and there remains much to play for.

The management clearly like the game-breaking ability that Pollock can offer and Morgan, despite not being the biggest of men, can be a real nuisance. Curry's work-rate will be hard to overlook unless Andy Farrell, in his quest for cohesion, simply reverts to his trusted Irish lieutenants and starts Van der Flier.

Chessum or Beirne - or both?