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The British and Irish Lions have dropped abrasive scrumhalf Mike Phillips and flanker Tom Croft in two shock selections for Saturday night’s second Test against the Wallabies.
With their first series success in 16 years beckoning, the Lions made five changes to the starting side which beat Australia 23-21 at Suncorp Stadium last weekend.
Tight-five members Paul O’Connell (broken arm) and Alex Corbisiero (calf) were ruled out with injury, but Phillips, Croft and winger Alex Cuthbert were all dropped.
Dynamic English halfback Ben Youngs replaces Phillips, hard-working Welsh flanker Dan Lydiate takes Croft’s spot while Irish winger Tommy Bowe has made a remarkable recovery from a broken hand to wear No.14.
Coach Warren Gatland said the changes just demonstrated how strong the depth was in his squad.
Gatland said the quality of his halfbacks and knee soreness contributed to the dumping of Phillips, who also missed a spot on the bench.
“The decision was to rest him for this week and he’s potentially a key component for next week,” he said
On the promotion of Lydiate, who captained the Lions’ mid-week team to a 35-0 tour win over the Melbourne Rebels on Tuesday night, has long been a Gatland favourite for Wales.
“This is a do-or-die match for Australia and we decided to bring more physicality to our side,” the Lions coach said.
Gatland said it was a “huge” recovery by Bowe, who was initially expected to be sidelined for six weeks.
Mako Vunipola replaces Corbisiero at loosehead prop while lock Geoff Parling has been promoted with Irish veteran O’Connell ruled out.
Back-rower Toby Faletau couldn’t force his way into the side despite a strong showing against the Rebels on Tuesday night. Manu Tuilagi has also missed out.
British & Irish Lions versus Wallabies, June 29, Melbourne
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
14. Tommy Bowe (Ulster/Ireland)
13. Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster/Ireland)
12. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets/Wales)
11. George North (Scarlets/Wales)
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/Ireland)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers/England)
8. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland)
7. Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues/Wales) Captain
6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons/Wales)
5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers/England)
4. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers/England)
1. Makovina Vunipola (Saracens/England)
Replacements
16. Richard Hibbard (Ospreys/Wales)
17. Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers/England)
19. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers/England)
20. Sean O’Brien (Leinster/Ireland)
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Ireland)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England)
23. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues/Wales)
TEAM: Head to head here's how @QantasWallabies @lionsofficial line up for #AUSvLIO in Melbourne pic.twitter.com/TtmsspyK8G
— The Ruck (@theruckshow) June 27, 2013
– with AAP.
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