British and Irish Lions: Blair Kinghorn, James Ryan come in as Andy Farrell makes just two changes for Sydney third Test
Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan to start in British and Irish Lions' third Test vs Australia; Kinghorn replaces James Lowe on left wing, who drops out of squad; Ryan in for Ollie Chessum, who moves to bench; watch Saturday's third Lions Test vs Australia live on Sky Sports
Thursday 31 July 2025 14:05, UK
Andy Farrell has made just two changes to his starting British and Irish Lions side for Saturday's third Test against Australia in Sydney, with Blair Kinghorn and James Ryan coming in.
The Lions secured the series with a week to spare after a dramatic last-gasp 29-26 victory at the MCG in Melbourne last week, but Farrell's strong selection is an indication of his determination to finish with a 3-0 series whitewash.
Kinghorn replaces James Lowe on the left wing as last weekend's matchwinner Hugo Keenan retains his place at full-back, while lock Ryan is promoted to start from the bench with Ollie Chessum swapping in with the replacements.
- How Andy Farrell's tourists pulled off greatest comeback in Lions history
- Dan Sheehan: Lions want to 'make sure' of Australia whitewash after heat on Pollock
- Nolli Waterman: Lions moments that live in history will now include women
- Not got Sky? Stream Lions series with no contract
- Sky Sports Digital in Australia: In association with Howden
Lock Joe McCarthy and wing Mack Hansen aren't involved despite returning to training this week following respective foot injuries, while centre Sione Tuipulotu is left out again as Bundee Aki and Huw Jones start in midfield once more. Garry Ringrose was ruled out earlier in the week due to concussion protocols.
There is one further squad alteration on the bench as Farrell and co opt for a 6-2 split for forwards to backs, bringing Ben Earl back in alongside Jac Morgan.
Wing Tommy Freeman combines with Keenan and Kinghorn in the back-three, while the Lions' impressive half-backs are unchanged in Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell.
An all-Irish front-row is retained in Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong - the latter in line to equal Alyn Wyn Jones' record of nine consecutive Test starts.
Captain Maro Itoje partners Ryan in the second row, while the back row is also unchanged: Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Jack Conan.
Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Alex Mitchell and Owen Farrell complete the squad on the bench alongside Chessum, Morgan and Earl.
Farrell: 3-0 series whitewash would mean the world
Lions head coach Andy Farrell speaking to media on Thursday:
"As you can imagine, it would mean the world to us.
"It's something we promised ourselves we were going to chase after and try our best to represent the group as best we possibly can do.
"What goes along with that is representing the journey and brand of the British and Irish Lions, so we have a big responsibility this weekend.
"These lads have been training their whole life for these moments and do you know what's been the most impressive thing about these people? Just how much they care.
"How much they care about the Lions, the Lions dream, and how much it means to them. When you package it all up together and what it takes to come together as a top-class outfit, as far as a group of teams are concerned, that's about it."
Valetini ruled out for Australia again as Tupou, White, Pietsch come in
Australia have been rocked by the news that star back-row Rob Valetini has been ruled out of Saturday's third Test due to a recurrence of his calf injury.
Valetini missed the Wallabies' opening Test defeat to the Lions in Brisbane, but returned to play a pivotal role at the MCG in Melbourne as the hosts strode into a 23-5 lead, carrying superbly throughout the first half.
Valetini failed to emerge after half-time last week, though, before the Lions secured series victory in the final attacking play of the match to win 29-26.
Schmidt has been been forced to name a second Australia Test side in three weeks to face the Lions minus one of his best forwards, with Tom Hooper coming into the side. Langi Gleeson remains on the bench.
Elsewhere in the starting XV, tighthead Taniela Tupou returns having been out in the cold under Schmidt for a while. Tupou replaces the injured Allan Alaalatoa (shoulder).
Scrum-half Nic White also comes into the side, replacing Jake Gordon, with Rugby Australia confirming the former Exeter Chiefs man will retire from Test rugby following Saturday's clash at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Will Skelton is fit enough to retain his starting place at lock, while Dylan Pietsch starts on the left wing in place of the injured Harry Potter (hamstring).
Australia vs Lions third Test squads in full
British and Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Blair Kinghorn, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Alex Mitchell, 22 Owen Farrell.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Nic White; 1 James Slipper, 2 David Porecki, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c).
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports
Sky Sports will exclusively show the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests against the Wallabies and seven tour matches to be shown exclusively live.
