The Daily Star Ireland
James Ryan has been elevated to the British and Irish Lions’ starting XV for the third and final Test against Australia, set to take place on Saturday at Accor Stadium in Sydney. The Leinster lock takes over from Ollie Chessum after delivering a strong performance off the bench during last weekend’s dramatic 29-26 win in Melbourne.
Ryan’s promotion is one of only two changes made by head coach Andy Farrell to the team that sealed the series. Blair Kinghorn of Scotland is also drafted in, replacing James Lowe on the left wing. The Lions have not disclosed whether Lowe’s omission is due to injury.
Unfortunately, Ireland’s Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen were unable to recover from foot injuries in time to be considered for selection. McCarthy had already missed the second Test, and his continued absence cleared the way for Ryan to step into the matchday squad and now into a starting role beside captain Maro Itoje in the engine room.
Leinster Core Leads the Charge
Ireland’s presence remains strong throughout the lineup, with nine Irish internationals named in the starting side and a tenth, Rónan Kelleher, included among the replacements. A full Leinster front row features Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and the ever-reliable Tadhg Furlong, who will earn his ninth consecutive Lions Test cap — a feat matched by only four others in Lions history: Willie John McBride, Graham Price, Tony O’Reilly, and Rhys Williams.
Ryan slots into the second row next to Itoje, while the back row remains unchanged with Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, and Jack Conan retaining their positions for a third straight Test.
In the backline, Jamison Gibson-Park continues at scrum-half with Scotland’s Finn Russell once again selected at fly-half. The centre partnership of Bundee Aki and Huw Jones is maintained as Garry Ringrose remains sidelined with a concussion.
Hugo Keenan, last weekend’s hero with the match-winning score, keeps his place at full-back. Tommy Freeman is named on the right wing, with Kinghorn on the left.
Farrell has opted for a 6:2 bench split between forwards and backs. However, this still hasn’t provided an opening for 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year Josh van der Flier, as Jac Morgan and Ben Earl are the preferred back row cover. Owen Farrell and Alex Mitchell are listed among the backline substitutes.
Australia’s Lineup and Match Significance
Australia will field Tom Wright at full-back and Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch on the wings. Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii form the centre pairing, with Tom Lynagh and Nic White in the half-backs. The Wallabies’ forward pack includes heavyweights like Taniela Tupou and Will Skelton, with Harry Wilson captaining from number eight.
This final Test, with the series already secured by the Lions, remains highly significant — both as a chance to close out a rare Southern Hemisphere sweep and to cement the reputations of several emerging talents.
Starting XVs
British and Irish Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell.
Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Tom Lynagh, Nic White; James Slipper, David Porecki, Taniela Tupou; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
