Thursday, June 29, 2017

English and Irish Lions: Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies addresses second Test call

Second Test: New Zealand v British and Irish Lions

Scene: Westpac Stadium, Wellington Date: Saturday, 1 July Kick-off: 08:35 BST

Scope: Live content discourse on the BBC Sport site and application

English and Irish Lions mentor Warren Gatland has made his "last move of the dice" in picking both Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell for Saturday's second Test against New Zealand, says previous Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies.

Sexton and Farrell have played just 74 minutes together as a 10-12 pivot in the eight past matches on the visit.

Notwithstanding being chosen in the squad as a fly-half, Farrell replaces Ben Te'o at inside focus, continuing the midfield part that he plays for England.

"It is a stress that they have not played together more. I'm astounded," Davies disclosed to BBC Sport.

Gatland said the matching of Ireland playmaker Sexton nearby Farrell would make the Lions more innovative and clinical.

"Both have played well and it gives us that assaulting choice in the 10-12 channel," Gatland said.

"We made open doors in the main Test and there were a couple of that we didn't wrap up."

Gatland made a major bring in 2013 when he dropped Brian O'Driscoll for the unequivocal Test coordinate in the arrangement prevail upon Australia.

Previous England fly-half Paul Grayson supported Gatland's determination of Sexton and Farrell however said he would have "given them a few diversions together".

Somewhere else, commander Sam Warburton replaces Peter O'Mahony on the blind spot flank, with Maro Itoje liked to George Kruis in the second line.

Ribs bolt Alun Wyn Jones keeps his place in the beginning XV regardless of a troublesome excursion in the main Test and solid midweek exhibitions from Courtney Lawes and Iain Henderson having given Gatland "something to think about".

Lawes, CJ Stander and Jack Nowell are among the substitutions in the wake of playing in the midweek draw with Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Rhys Webb and Ben Te'o additionally make the seat.

In the interim, Robbie Henshaw and George North have been precluded of whatever remains of the visit.

Ireland focus Henshaw (pectoral) and Wales wing North (hamstring) were harmed in the 31-31 attract against Hurricanes Wellington and will return home after Saturday's match.

Examination - 'In the event that he loses on Saturday, he will get stick'

Previous Wales fly-half and ex-rugby association global Jonathan Davies:

"It is the last move of the dice. You must be somewhat inventive to beat the All Blacks since they will dependably score focuses. The main Test choice was somewhat odd for me, picking an extremely assaulting back three and not the most inventive midfield.

"It is the 10-12 blend that I would have preferred ideal from the begin, yet they have not by any stretch of the imagination had the opportunity to play together in the warm-up matches.

"It is a stress that the have not played together more. I'm astonished. On the off chance that this had been Gatland's ploy from the begin of the visit I would have played them more before the Tests.

"He made a major bring in the third Test against Australia four years back - dropping Brian O'Driscoll, That had a positive result, yet in the event that he loses on Saturday, he will get stick."

Previous England fly-half Paul Grayson:

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