Farrell prioritises cohesion with Irish-heavy look

Head coach's intentions for the Lions' second Test against Australia are clear with nine players in lineup

- Robert Kitson

There is a storm heading the Lions' way this weekend in every sense. The local weather forecasters are predicting rain and the Australian mood is also hardening before tomorrow's second Test.

This is not an obvious moment for casual flights of fancy and the intensity of the approaching battle has duly been reflected in Andy Farrell's no-nonsense team selection.

With series victory potentially just 80 minutes away, Farrell has prioritised physicality and cohesion, to the point where jokes about renaming the side the Irish & British Lions are resurfacing.

There would have been 10 Ireland players in this starting XV had Garry Ringrose not withdrawn just before the team announcement, with a couple more in reserve for good measure.

That was almost certainly the plan all along before Ringrose was ruled out of first Test consideration with delayed concussion. The Scotland pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones performed well in Brisbane, with Tuipulotu supplying a first-half try, but this time Bundee Aki has been handed the 12 jersey with Jones, at the 11th hour, named at outside-centre having initially been set for the chop.

While Tuipulotu is said to be nursing a slightly tight hamstring, Farrell made clear he was leaning towards Aki regardless, despite the Scot's obvious desire to play against Australia in the city of his birth.