British and Irish Lions: Warren Gatland rings the changes for decisive third and final Test in South Africa
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British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has made six changes for the third and final Test against South Africa on Saturday.
Josh Adams will make his Lions Test debut on the right wing, replacing Anthony Watson who drops out of the squad altogether. Duhan van der Merwe keeps his spot on the other flank, while Liam Williams comes in at full-back.
Bundee Aki will join his Ireland team-mate Robbie Henshaw in the midfield. Fly-half Dan Biggar keeps his place while Ali Martin returns for Conor Murray at scrum-half.
In the pack, Gatland has made two changes to the front row as Welshmen Wyn Jones and Ken Owens come in for their first Lions Test caps.
Meanwhile, Gatland will have Kyle Sinckler to turn to should he need him off the bench after the tighthead prop was cleared of biting Franco Mostert last weekend.
The series is on a knife-edge after the Lions were humbled 27-9 in the second Test by the reigning world champions.
Gatland has never been shy of making changes, and four of the six will see players making their Lions Test debuts.
“The matchday 23 have an incredibly special opportunity in front of them – to seal a Lions series victory in South Africa,” Gatland said.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than this and we’re excited by the challenge that faces us on Saturday.
“We’ve no excuses from last week, the Springboks put us under pressure in the second half and deserved to win. We have to be much better than that second half performance, and I believe we will be.”
Saturday’s clash takes place in Cape Town at 5pm BST.