Tom English
BBC Sport at Adelaide Oval

This Lions has been an odd one so far. Performances have been flawed and no real statement win yet. The breakdown issues have been unending.

The Lions aren't getting themselves into the community and winning friends, as was tradition, so the Aussies haven't taken to them. They need a marquee display to show that they can be special instead of just talking about being special.

Henry Pollock starts at six and may have something to say on the Test back row.

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John Barclay
Former Scotland captain on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly

Jac Morgan is the form seven on the tour.

He didn't start on Wednesday though. Does he have to play well to get in next Saturday?

It is hard to look into. There is so little separating Josh van der Flier and Morgan that you could flip a coin.

I think they will go for Ollie Chessum at six because of his physicality and line-out work. Jack Conan is definitely going to play (at eight) and I'd go Jac Morgan.

But if they select Conan, Van der Flier and Tom Curry, I'd say wicked back row. We just haven't seen some of those individuals at their very best.

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Jac Morgan is the only Wales player left on tour after Tomos Williams' tour-ending injury against Western Force.

The Wales captain delivered a player-of-the-match performance against Queensland Reds to jump right into Test contention.

Another huge performance and the seven jersey could be his next Saturday.

Given the level of competition in the back row, any slip in form and he could easily be in the stands.

Lions rugby for you....

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Ugo Monye
2009 British and Irish Lion

I love what both outside centres offer.

Huw Jones has the edge in attack but Garry Ringrose is far more aggressive in his defence. The way he gets up and in your face to shut down space.

But the trade-off is what you lose on the other side?

It will come down to what the Lions see as their biggest threat and how they want to play.

The two best players in the centre partnership are the two 13s. I think Sione Tuipulotu has edged Bundee Aki at inside centre, but I can't see Andy Farrell mixing and matching.

You approach it as a pair.

Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport at Adelaide Oval

There is so much history surrounding the Adelaide Oval and just outside the ground, a statue of the cities most famous sporting son, Sir Donald Bradman.

“The Don” moved to South Australia in 1934 and lived in the city until his death in 2001, aged 92.

The Oval also hosted one of the most infamous test matches in the history of cricket - the third Ashes test in 1932.

It was the famous Bodyline series when England, under the captaincy of Douglas Jardine, employed leg theory to stymie Bradman and the Australians.

England was accused of 'unsportsmanship' behaviour after the third test in Adelaide when Australian captain Bill Woodfull and Bert Oldfield were hit with short-pitched deliveries.

The controversy caused an international incident and the series was almost cancelled.

England won here in Adelaide and went on to win the series 4-1.

Bradman went on to become arguably the greatest batsman ever, finishing his career averaging 99.94.

Andrew: A massively important 80 minutes for all involved, but especially Hugo Keenan, the Scottish centre partnership and Tadgh Beirne.

Dan, Midlands: None of this squad barring Morgan, Van der Flier, and Huwipolotu have a chance of starting next week (though arguably Bealham should), but lots of bench places up for grabs. Test numbers 16-18 are far from settled, so the front row will be an area to watch. And almost anybody else (save Ryan and Duhan van der Merwe) could yet make the 23 if they put their hand up today.

British and Irish Lions

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Simon Easterby: "Hugo has had a bit of illness and has not been able to take part fully in preparation for each game so this is a perfect opportunity for him after having a good few days without any sickness.

"He is feeling a lot better and stronger and it's a great opportunity for him to stake a claim for next week.

"Whatever system he's in he's a bit of a goalkeeper at the back, he talks brilliantly, his comms are good and his actions are better. All the things you want a 15 to be in defence, he's all of that. He's got everything."

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Hugo Keenan is one of Andy Farrell's favourites but it hasn't worked out so far in Australia.

A calf injury and then illness delayed the start of his tour. A first game in over a month followed against NSW Waratahs but the Irishman struggled, failing to stick a tackle for one of the tries.

Blair Kinghorn is the only other specialist 15 on tour but is recovering from a knee injury that he suffered on Wednesday.

The Lions are hopeful he will be fit to face Australia, those fears will be calmed if Keenan delivers in this one.

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British and Irish Lions

England and Saracens back row Ben Earl on Owen Farrell: "He's the Owen I know.

"He's the same man, he's still got the same quality – the way he's trained, the way he's been around the boys.

"He's still one of the best, if not the best, player I've played with. Trust me, he's gonna be fine."

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It seems like Owen Farrell and Finn Russell are getting on in training.

This picture shows Russell is confident in himself and doesn't mind someone of Farrell's aura around.

Could a big performance today off the bench from Farrell seal his spot as back up to Russell?

Hit the thumbs if you agree or disagree.

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John Barclay
Former Scotland captain on BBC's Rugby Union Weekly

Owen Farrell has shown that he is that man for the big occasion.

Marcus Smith has not had much game time at 10, so they might not consider him to play a Test at fly-half.

Fin Smith has been good but has only 11 England caps. If Finn Russell goes down and is out of the series before a ball has been kicked, are you putting Fin Smith in to start?

That's how I read Farrell being over there. He is there as an insurance policy

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Former England captain Owen Farrell will likely make his first appearance on tour after being called up to the squad as a replacement for Elliot Daly.

The decision for Lions head coach Andy Farrell to bring in his son, who covers fly-half and inside centre, raised a few eyebrows.

Andy Farrell's reasoning was that he was happy with his full-back options and said cover for utility back Daly was already in the squad.

Owen Farrell had an injury-hit campaign at Racing 92 and struggled for form before returning to Saracens ahead of next season.

Farrell's most recent international experience was at the 2023 World Cup and he has not played since 4 May, when he suffered a concussion.

A big performance off the bench will silence any doubters and could well open up debate as to if the 112-cap back should be in the Test 23.

Lions tours move fast.

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Tom English
BBC Sport at Adelaide Oval

The last few days here in Adelaide has really been the first time on this trip when you got a proper sense of the fans in full flow.

The red jersey has been really visible around the city with waves of tourists arriving and giving a sense that we've now entered a different phase of this trip.

This feels very different compared to Perth. Adelaide Oval is my favourite ground of the trip so far. A big moment in the Bodyline Ashes series happened here when Bill Woodfull and Bert Oldfield were hit by deliveries from Harold Larwood. Mounted police had to keep the 50,000 fans in check. Some fantastic pictures dotted around the stadium.

Andrea Piardi is in charge of this one.

Fun fact is that he became the first Italian to referee in the Men's Six Nations after taking charge of Ireland against Wales in 2024.

He sent today's Lions captain Tadhg Beirne to the sin-bin.

I am sure Beirne will be happy to see him at the coin toss.

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Mike Henson
BBC Sport

Henry Pollock is certainly light by the standards of modern-day forwards. He tips the scales at 105kg (16st 8lb), a balsa-wood frame amid heavy lumber elsewhere.

At full pelt, Pollock clocks around 10 metres a second - the sort of speed normally associated with pacier backs. And he can replicate those bursts again and again.

His Bronco time - a standard shuttle-run fitness test - is a punchy four minutes 25 seconds. Gloucester and England centre Seb Atkinson's time of 4:08 is elite rugby's unofficial record.

The average weight of the specialist back rows picked for the Lions squads has dropped over the past three tours.

Their duties have multiplied though.

Looking at data from the Six Nations and Rugby Championship since 2021, the average number of carries by a back-row player has slightly, but steadily increased.

Read more here.

The big news is that Owen Farrell has been named on the bench for his first appearance on tour.

Wales' Jac Morgan has another chance to impress at open-side flanker as has England duo Henry Pollock and Ben Earl alongside him in the back row.

Ireland's Hugo Keenan starts at full-back with Blair Kinghorn currently unable to train because of the knee injury he sustained on Wednesday.

Marcus Smith is also on the bench and could come on to play at fly-half or full-back.

Ireland's Tadhg Beirne will lead the Lions for a second time.

British and Irish Lions: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Ryan, Beirne (capt), Pollock, Morgan, Earl.

Replacements; Kelleher, Porter, Bealham, Cummings, Van der Flier, Mitchell, M Smith, Farrell.

Lauren Jenkins
BBC Sport at Adelaide Oval

It really feels as though the tour is about to take off here in Adelaide as there is a noticeable increase in red shirts around the city.

It's a short stroll from the centre to the beautiful Adelaide Oval which is hosting the Lions tonight for the first time in 137 years.

Greeting fans as they approach the bowl are big screens replaying highlights from the 2013 series.

Inside you'll find the oldest operating scoreboard in international cricket, first used in 1911. There is certainly an aura to this place and an expectation among fans the performance will live up to the occasion.

Image source, BBC SPORT

As ever, we want to hear from you with your thoughts on the action. Who needs a big game ahead of next Saturday's first Test? How do you think the Lions are shaping up?

Get in touch via the contact details just above, and don't forget to include your name and where you are.

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