Farrell’s surprise selections point to Lions power game

Beirne and Curry will sacrifice some mobility for physicality

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE IN BRISBANE

If the task of selecting any international side involves a head coach blending art and science, then the job of nailing down a British & Irish Lions Test team is a lot like alchemy, an exploration of the unknown pursued in the hope of finding a magical elixir. For Andy Farrell, this has been a unique challenge; with the quadrennial tourists, there can be no thought given to fixtures of the future — just the task at hand of three Tests against Australia in which his Lions legacy will be defined.

Unanimity of approving voices is an impossible pursuit, proud patriots, dissidents and detractors sure to argue the case of those excluded regardless of the actual composition. Take, for example, the exclusion from the first Test of the unfortunate Jac Morgan, which leaves the Lions without a Welshman for the first time since the 19th century — on form, the scavenging openside has probably been the best No 7 on tour but misses out to Tom Curry, already a three-time Test Lion and the sort of big match animal the side will feel they need against the Wallabies.

Morgan and the rest of those excluded will cross their fingers that a chance will come; 32 players were used across the three Tests on the Lions’ last trip here, and 31 made appearances against the Springboks four years ago. Those picked cannot afford to simply count their blessings and cruise through - Peter O’Mahony captained the side to defeat in the first Test against New Zealand in 2017 and never wore the famous red shirt again.