The British and Irish Lions' bid to beat Australia has been boosted by the return of Joe McCarthy, Sione Tuipulotu and Mac Hansen from injury, but Garry Ringrose will be ruled out of the final Test on Saturday.
McCarthy, Tuipulotu and Hansen will be in Sydney after suffering a 29-26 defeat to the Wallabies on Saturday, ending the series with one game to go.
All three have completed their recovery from foot, hamstring and ankle injuries and took part in light training on Tuesday.
However, Ringrose was “devastated” as the minimum 12-day return-to-play protocol for concussion means he will miss the entire series, which has seen him serve as the team's first-choice centre-back.
The Ireland star himself revealed concussion symptoms shortly before the squad for the second Test match was announced last Thursday, prompting his exclusion from the starting line-up.
“Harry has played some fantastic rugby throughout the tour,” said attack coach Andrew Goodman.
“He had long dreamed of representing the Lions and his dream came true, but he wanted to be a Test match Lion so it was a real blow to him.
“He's upset for himself, but he's communicating with everyone and trying to help prepare as much as he can.”
Andy Farrell will announce his squad for the third Test on Thursday and will have to decide how much to refresh the side for Round 23 given they battled the Wallabies for 80 tense minutes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
There is also the question of whether player rotation should be used as a reward for those who don't make the series, but Goodman rejected that approach.
“It will be the best team to win the series. It may require some changes, it may look like stability,” he said.
“Players need to be rewarded for playing well and being resilient in Test matches. It's a balance.”
The Lions celebrated their success with friends and family for two days, but their determination to become the first team to go scoreless since the visit to Argentina in 1927 and the first team to remain unbeaten in Test matches since the expedition to South Africa in 1974 has only grown stronger.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
