Andy Farrell has said discussions about Australia's future as a British and Irish Lions tour destination are “offensive”.
The Lions are looking to end their unbeaten run when the rivals meet for the final time in Sydney on Saturday and Farrell will make two changes to the starting line-up, replacing James Ryan and forward Blair Kinghorn.
Australian rugby faces significant challenges both on and off the field and is the weakest of the three countries visited by the British and Irish rugby elite; South Africa and New Zealand are completing a 12-year cycle.
In addition, support for the Lions' visit to France is growing due to the strength of their national team and club game, as well as commercial opportunities.
The Wallabies answered their critics at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by winning the second Test match to become a classic, but then losing the series 2-0 when Hugo Keenan scored 51 seconds from the final whistle.
When asked whether Australia deserved the right to host another tour, Farrell said: “I don't think it should ever have been up for debate.
“Every team, country and province has its ups and downs, but Australia as a sporting powerhouse will always come back.
“Look at the year they have coming up. They will be a force to be reckoned with by the 2027 World Cup, 100%.
“It would be terrible not to come here on tour. We had a great time. It's offensive to me to talk about it like that.”
Ryan replaces Ollie Chessum amid praise from Farrell for the “venom” he brings to the table in doing the heavy lifting in attack, while Kinghorn has been preferred over James Lowe for his “unpredictability” and aerial strength in what will be wet and windy conditions at the Accor Stadium.
However, Farrell had warmest words for those players who have not yet played in the series, as he focused entirely on preparing the Test team for the encounter with the Wallabies.
“It's really touching. It's touching in the sense of how much it means to them,”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
