The second Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions is getting ever closer.
Kick-off is at 11:00 BST on Saturday and here are all the details you need to know as the Lions attempt to clinch the three-match series.
Here is a reminder of the Lions' starting XV that will take to the field in Melbourne...
Image source, Getty ImagesWilson captained the Wallabies for the first time in September 2024 and, after a delay in confirmation from head coach Joe Schmidt, took leadership of the team for the Lions series
Australia captain Harry Wilson says his team will be better for the experience of their first Test defeat in Brisbane when they face the British and Irish Lions again in Melbourne on Saturday.
"For a lot of us, it was our first time ever playing the British and Irish Lions and there was a lot of unknown, whereas this week we know what's coming," he said.
The Wallabies' defeat in the series opener means they must win to keep the contest alive. However, Wilson believes that the pressure cuts both ways.
"I'd say there's pressure on both teams," he added.
"They want to wrap up the series and we want to keep the series alive. There's no doubting there's a lot on the line for both teams.
"We want to impose ourselves physically. We want to back our skills and we want to go out there and start fast."
The British and Irish Lions have been busy since their victory over Australia in the first Test in Brisbane on 19 July...
Image source, Getty ImagesOwen Farrell captained the Lions to a victory over First Nations and Pasifika on Tuesday
Image source, Getty ImagesDarcy Graham scored early on his Lions debut before an injury ended his short tour
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Lions arrived in Melbourne for the second Test
Image source, Getty ImagesAndy Farrell named his team for the second Test on Thursday
Image source, Getty ImagesOn Friday, the players at arrived at Melbourne Cricket Ground to check out the venue for the second Test
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd it would have been rude not to have played cricket at the MCG - Ben Earl was among those to unleash their inner Ben Stokes during the Lions' visit
A new episode of the Rugby Union Weekly podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.
Can Australia bounce back at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground to level the Test series on Saturday? Or will the Lions clinch a second successive series down under?
With nine Irishmen in Andy Farrell's team, BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones gets the Irish perspective on the second Test with Murray Kinsella from The 42.
Lions assistant coach John Fogarty speaks about the significance of playing at Australia's most iconic sporting venue and what legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson said to the players when handing them with their jerseys.
Nick Stiles, one of the winning Wallabies from the 2001 Lions series, gives his view on Australian rugby and how he would make them competitive again.
Image source, Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph in Australia focuses on the Wallabies' "big boppers" returning for the second Test against the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Lock Will Skelton and flanker Rob Valetini are back in Joe Schmidt's starting XV after missing the first Test, bringing some much-needed power.
Number eight Pete Samu, a 'big bopper' in his own right, has also spoken out after being prevented from appearing for the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old, who won the Champions Cup with French club Bordeaux in May and has 33 caps for Australia, was initially named in the squad of players with First Nations or Pacific Island heritage.
However, he was removed after it was determined that he did not meet the eligibility criteria, which require players to have played for a Super Rugby Pacific team in 2025.
"I was quite confused and just disappointed because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was being played in my home state," Samu said.
"Obviously, not being able to represent my Samoan side was quite sad."
Image source, Daily TelegraphChris Jones
Rugby union Correspondent in Melbourne
What a stage, what a game it's going to be - Fogarty
Lions assistant coach John Fogarty was in good form earlier at the MCG as the players and management soaked up the surroundings of one of the most famous stadiums in world sport.
"What a stage, and what a game it's going to be," Fogarty said.
"It is so cool to be in the middle of it. There is a feel to the stadium, and an expectation. What a privilege just to be here.
"It is a massive game for them, but a massive game for us."
Fogarty also revealed legendary Lions captain Martin Johnson - skipper in South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001 - has been in to camp to speak to the squad and present jerseys.
"He has a really nice presence to him, and he spoke about the small margins in the biggest games," Fogarty said.
"He talked about the mentality, but for this group and for him as a player that wasn't an issue.
"It was more about compounding errors and these are the things you need to make sure you are on top of during a match.
"Again, what a privilege to have him come in and hand some jerseys out."
Image source, BBC SportJohn Fogarty soaks in the surroundings at the MCG
Image source, GettyTindall earned 75 England caps before his retirement from rugby in 2014
The hair might be thinner, the waistlines may be thicker, but the competitive spirit still sparked bright when the Classic Wallabies and British and Irish Legends met in a match at Melbourne's AAMI Park on Thursday.
Mike Tindall, who never won selection for the Lions, but played against them off the bench for the Barbarians in a 2013 tour warm-up, played for the tourists.
Alongside him were the likes of former Lions Alex Cuthbert, Shane Williams, Andy Powell and Tommy Seymour.
Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell were among those turning out in green and gold.
Image source, Getty ImagesGiteau crossed for a try in a high-scoring exhibition, laid on in advance of Saturday's second Test in Melbourne
The Classic Wallabies ran out 41-31 winners, but the highlight of the match probably didn't figure on the scoreboard.
Mitchell pulling a hamstring, to the delight of the watching Kurtley Beale, and then downing a pint garnered most online interest in the aftermath.
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Nigel Ringland
BBC Sport Senior Journalist in Melbourne
Image source, Getty ImagesAndrew Porter replaces Ellis Genge in the Lions Test starting line-up
Like everyone else, Andrew Porter was shocked to hear the news that Garry Ringrose had unselfishly withdrawn himself from the Lions team for Saturday’s second Test against Australia.
The Leinster centre told head coach Andy Farrell at the end of Thursday’s training session that he was experiencing concussion symptoms.
Ringrose first suffered the symptoms in the game against the Brumbies in Canberra two weeks ago and they caused him to miss the first Test.
He returned against the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday, but has now been replaced in the team by Huw Jones.
"I actually only heard that before coming here (to speak to the media) that he actually withdrawn himself and that he wasn't pulled aside by a coach," said Porter.
"It's incredibly disappointing for Garry but it just goes to show the character and the player that he is to pull himself aside.
"I think that's an incredibly hard thing to do - and given the magnitude of the game - but it's testament to the player and person he is to be able to put the team first.
"In that sense if he's not right, he's not right and he's looking to let someone who's fit and able to come into the squad and do the job."
Porter has replaced England‘s Ellis Genge and is one of nine Irish internationals in the starting line-up, a new record for a Lions Test match. He will pack down in the front row with fellow Irish and Leinster team-mates Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong.
"Obviously there's that comfort level to be able to pack down with two of your club and countrymen," said Porter.
"They've obviously had an incredible tour individually and it's great being able to come and start alongside them in this huge game in the MCG, so it’s incredibly exciting."
Porter can’t wait to step out in front of what is expected to be a crowd in excess of 90,000 but knows with the return of Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, the Australians could be a different animal to the one the Lions beat a week ago in Brisbane.
"It was an incredibly physical game last week but I think it's going to be another step up again in terms of physicality," he added.
"They’re going with a 6-2 split on the bench as well and with Skelton and Valetini, who are great ball carriers and incredibly experienced players, we're obviously gearing up for an incredibly physical game and as forwards you're always looking forward to those close quarter confrontations.
"We’re looking to continue on from the work we did last week. We obviously had a great first half and just a few errors maybe in the second half let them build a bit of pressure that let them into the game.
"We're just looking for that complete performance as a team and I think we've been building on that for the last few weeks. That performance is overdue and I think it's due to come on Saturday."
Chris Jones
Rugby union Correspondent in Melbourne
It's Thursday morning here in Melbourne and news of the Lions second Test team is starting to trickle out.
The team will train this morning before the squad is confirmed at lunchtime in Australia (overnight UK) but I'm hearing Andy Farrell is pondering a sensational selection call at centre.
With Garry Ringrose back fit, Farrell is considering dropping the Scotland pair of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones for the Irish duo of Bundee Aki and Ringrose.
It has felt throughout this tour that the centres came as a pair, and Ringrose was always a strong contender to come into the 23 once recovered from concussion.
But it would be brutally harsh on Jones and especially Tuipulotu. Both played well in Brisbane, especially Tuipulotu, while Aki's cameo off the bench was a bit scruffy. The team will be confirmed after this morning's training session in the Melbourne suburbs.
Elsewhere the makeup of the bench is very interesting, with Owen Farrell and Blair Kinghorn both expected to be involved, while James Ryan is also pushing for a place in the squad.
Image source, Getty ImagesFour nations, one very wild crew with dream stitched deep in red, gold, white, green and dark blue.
We fight for fans, for mums and mates, for childhood fields and heavy, heavy plates. No fancy flair, just grit and grind. A killer edge with heart behind.
So raise a glass, the Lions are here, with boots and laughs and no damn fear.
They came as men from different shores to go into Test week, let's hear the Red Sea roar.
A corking episode of The Ultimate Test – the British and Irish Lions' in-house documentary – has been released., external
As well as prop Pierre Schoeman composing the verse above to inspire his team-mates, there is Tom Curry showing off a framed photo of his dog, Duhan van der Merwe regretting not taking a wetsuit to the Great Barrier Reef, Ellis Genge revving up hearts and Sione Tuipulotu rolling the dice.
Image source, Getty ImagesJoe McCarthy started in the second row alongside captain Maro Itoje in the Lions' first-Test victory
The British and Irish Lions' team for Saturday's second Test against Australia will be named on Thursday.
The Lions won the first Test 27-19 in Brisbane on 19 July and will take an unassailable lead in the three-match series if they are victorious at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Will Andy Farrell elect to make changes or go with the same again? Here are four things to keep an eye on:
Will Joe McCarthy be fit? The Ireland lock is the Lions' main fitness concern, having not trained this week since limping off in Brisbane with a foot problem. England's Ollie Chessum could be a straight swap if McCarthy is unable to feature, while Tadhg Beirne - who started in the back row in the first Test - could be moved into the second row.
Hugo Keenan or Blair Kinghorn at full-back? Ireland's Keenan started in Brisbane, but did Scotland's Kinghorn do enough against First Nations and Pasifika to dislodge Keenan in the starting Test XV?
Who starts at centre? Scotland duo Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu got the nod in Brisbane, but Ireland's Garry Ringrose - who missed the first Test with concussion - came off the bench against First Nations and Pasifika and is available for selection.
Could Owen Farrell be included on the bench? The former England captain led the Lions on Tuesday, playing the full 80 minutes of a game for the first time since April.
In the latest episode of the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, Chris Jones, Tom English and Lauren Jenkins look ahead to the second Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday.
Will Andy Farrell make big changes? Will the fitness of Joe McCarthy force his hand? Has Wales' Jac Morgan done enough to force his way into the 23?
