DECISION TIME FOR FARRELL AS LIONS GET READY FOR THE MAJOR BATTLES

THE phony wars have ended for the Lions. Now the real battles lie ahead.

- DUNCAN BECH

The warm-up games are over. Now Andy Farrell and his backroom team will spend the next few days putting the finishing touches to the team which will run out against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.

Bundee Aki or Sione Tuipulotu at inside centre? Ben Earl or Jack Conan at No. 8? Jac Morgan or Tom Curry or Josh van der Flier on the openside?

All will become clearer in the coming week.

Farrell has been forced into changes as the cream of Britain and Ireland set their sights on the Wallabies. Ireland prop Tom Clarkson has been brought in as cover ahead of Saturday's first Test despite there being no tighthead injuries within Farrell's squad.

Leinster utility back Jamie Osborne has also joined up with the squad, having been called in to cover Scotland fullback Blair Kinghorn after he picked up a knock against the Brumbies last Wednesday.

Saracens hooker Jamie George is also now in Australia, having been pulled out of England's clash with Argentina on Saturday night to make the commute to cover compatriot Luke Cowan-Dickie, who was injured during the victory over the AUNZ Invitational side.

George, who was picked ahead of Wales' Dewi Lake, is now on his third Lions tour, having featured in New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa four years ago.

Clarkson - who started in Ireland's victory over Portugal on Saturday - joins up with the squad despite existing tightheads Tadhg Furlong, Will Stuart and Finlay Bealham all being fit.

The 25-year-old has just eight Ireland caps, having featured in their summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal.

He is the 18th Ireland player in the current Lions squad.

As well as that, he becomes the 15th Leinster player in Farrell's touring squad, as the Lions coach looks to bring in extra cover ahead of one final midweek game.