British & Irish Lions winger Tommy Freeman is a major doubt for the third Test against Australia after missing the captain's run on Friday with a back injury. The 24-year-old, who started the first two Tests, sat out the final training session, prompting contingency plans that could see Huw Jones shift to the wing and Owen Farrell start.
Assistant coach John Dalziel insisted Freeman's absence was due to workload management, but sources indicate the Lions are preparing for his potential unavailability. Freeman has played 33 matches this season, exceeding the RFU's recommended 30-match limit. Other options include Mack Hansen, Duhan van der Merwe, James Lowe, and Jamie Osborne.
Meanwhile, prop Tadhg Furlong is set to make his ninth consecutive Lions start, moving joint fifth on the all-time list. The 32-year-old acknowledged this could be his final Lions appearance, saying, 'You want the last memory to be a good one.' Furlong will face Australia's Taniela Tupou, a 23-stone prop nicknamed 'the Tongan Thor,' who Furlong described as 'incredibly powerful' and 'dangerous in the scrum.'
Australia have made two changes to their front row, with Tupou starting at tighthead and Billy Pollard at hooker after Dave Porecki's late injury. The Lions are aiming for a first clean sweep since 1927 and an unbeaten series since 1974.
