Irish Lions second test team announced

The Lions have announced five changes for what could be the decisive test against Wallabies.

08:00 29 June 2013

Days before the big game, Warren Gatland has announced five changes to his British and Irish Lions in an effort to push for a win in the second test against Australia. 

With Alex Corbisiero and Paul O’ Connell out of the game due to injuries, Geoff Parling and Mako Vunipolo will make their first test. Meanwhile, Tommy Bowe, Ben Youngs, and Dan Lydiate will replace Alex Cuthbert, Mike Phillips, and Tom Croft. 

 

Unlike Bowe’s return, Youngs is more of a surprised. He joins brother Tom in the starting line-up. 

 

Captain Sam Warburton said:" This is the biggest game my career because the potential achievement is something no Lions team has managed for four tours.You are normally nervous in the build up to a big game but this is all about excitement  and it can't come quick enough. We are going to need to do something special  because Australia were only a kick away from winning last weekend.  If we were 1-0, we would believe it could be turned around.

 

"They are going to come out firing and they are not down and out."

 

"I have had nervous excitement since arriving here in Melbourne and waking knowing that in five days you could be test series winners and now it's two days  to go. The game can't come quickly enough and all the talk around the squad has been about finishing it off this Saturday.”