Brian O'Driscoll has been left “totally gutted” after being dropped for Saturday’s decisive third Test against Australia in Sydney. The 134-cap Ireland centre was omitted from Warren Gatland’s starting XV, which features seven changes from the side that lost the second Test in Melbourne.
Alun Wyn Jones will captain the Lions, with O’Driscoll overlooked for the role despite being the leading candidate to replace the injured Sam Warburton. The decision has been widely criticised, with former Ireland captain Keith Wood calling it a “terrible mistake”. O’Driscoll reacted on Twitter, saying he was “totally gutted” but would focus on preparing the team.
Jonathan Davies moves to outside-centre to accommodate Jamie Roberts, who returns from a hamstring injury. Mike Phillips is back at scrum-half after missing the second Test with a knee problem. The pack is strengthened with Alex Corbisiero at prop, Richard Hibbard at hooker, and Sean O’Brien and Toby Faletau joining the back row.
Gatland defended his selections, saying: “Picking this team was not easy… the head overruled the heart in many selection decisions. Brian O’Driscoll is a great player but we just felt Jamie Roberts’s presence offered us something more.” The Lions will rely on power and physicality, with Justin Tipuric and Manu Tuilagi on the bench to provide impact in the final quarter.
The series is level at 1-1, with the winner of Saturday’s Test taking the series. Gatland said: “It all comes down to Saturday. Winner takes all. We know we can leave nothing in the tank.”
