Constant improvement is needed.
While the Lions were comfortable victors against Australia – only looking in any way under pressure, at kick-off and after Max Jorgensen’s 28th minute try – the scoreline will have disappointed them given their general dominance over a dull Wallabies side.
As such, head coach Andy Farrell and his management team are sure to be looking at some possible personnel changes ahead of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Here are five such changes that could come to fruition.
Scott Cummings for Joe McCarthy
This is the only injury-enforced change in our suggestions, with McCarthy a doubt after coming off on 43 minutes.
Another option would be to move Tadhg Beirne into his more regular position of lock, with Ollie Chessum coming in at blindside flanker.
However, the backrow was the Lions’ most dominant area in their win, and it would be a risk to change up the dynamic.
Bringing in Cummings, who is a more like-for-like replacement for McCarthy, would not upset the balance as much, and could strengthen an already-solid lineout.
Andrew Porter for Ellis Genge
The two loosehead props are fairly interchangeable, with Genge getting the nod for the first Test after his scrum dominance in the warm-up games.
However, he was pinged a few times on Saturday, giving the Wallabies a valuable source of territory.
It is a very low-risk swap, while Genge’s carrying could do even more damage off the bench, against tired bodies.
Mack Hansen for Tommy Freeman
Despite copping flack over his initial selection for the tour ahead of Scotland’s Darcy Graham, Hansen has been the Lions’ most consistent winger.
It is unclear whether or not he would have been picked for the first Test, as he was injured, and he may not be fit for next weekend either.
But if he is ready to go, he would add a spark that was missing out wide in the last game.
Jamie George for Rónan Kelleher
Along with the omission of Darcy Graham, George’s non-selection was the other big surprise in the initial squad, given his Lions Test-match experience.
Following his call up as cover for the injured Luke Cowan-Dickie, George could yet have a big role to play in the series.
Kelleher’s lineout throwing has never been a particular strength of his, and it showed when he came off the bench for Dan Sheehan, while George is known for his prowess at set piece.
If the game is in the balance, with five minutes to go, you would much rather the Englishman standing at the touchline.
Henry Pollock for Ben Earl
Earl was far from poor off the bench in his 23 minute cameo, but with such competition for places, he would have liked to have done more.
His compatriot can also cover across the backrow, and given the Lions’ dip in the second half, his abrasiveness and game-breaking ability may be what’s required.
