Murray Kinsella Reports from Sydney

THE LIONS HAVE made it clear that there will be no freebies this week when it comes to their selection for the third Test on Saturday.

Andy Farrell has never picked his teams that way. Often with Ireland, there is clamour for the head coach to give as-yet unused players in his wider squad a chance to start, but Farrell simply picks what he believes is the best team to win the next game.

And that’s the way it should be at the highest level. Test caps should be truly precious.

So it would be a surprise if players are catapulted from being well outside the Lions’ plans in the opening two Tests to having a role to play in the third. They’re due to name their team early on Thursday morning Irish time.

There are certainly some who only narrowly missed out – the likes of Josh van der Flier -  who could be in the mix and while it seems likely that Farrell and co. will largely lean on the players who have been involved in the first two Tests, there is a sense that the Lions would benefit from sprinkling in a couple of fresh faces to bring new energy.

James Ryan, Jac Morgan, Owen Farrell, and Blair Kinghorn did that last weekend. Ryan, Morgan, and Kinghorn made their Lions Test debuts in the second Test, and the bounce they brought off the bench was pivotal in Farrell’s men winning it at the death.

One can imagine Mack Hansen, whose foot injury seems to have come good after he missed the first two Tests, doing something similar this time around if he’s involved. The Lions coaches have praised him heavily on several occasions, picking out his work rate as a major strength. That effort off the ball has been a huge theme in this Lions campaign, so it would be no surprise to see Hansen involved, whether off the bench or on the right wing.

It looks highly likely that Joe McCarthy will come straight back into the side after his recovery from a foot injury. The Irish lock could return to the starting XV alongside Maro Itoje, with Ollie Chessum likely to drop out to make room. Ryan put his hand up for a start too, but he clearly works well as a bench impact option.

Mack Hansen is back in Lions training. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

There may be scope for a back row rejig if Farrell believes Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, and Jack Conan’s relentless efforts mean they have drawn just a hint too much from the well.

The Lions’ brain trust will probably have discussed possible reshuffles of the back three and the midfield too, but there will likely be a strong sense of continuity again.

Some of the stalwarts of this Lions squad are set to hit big milestones this weekend.

Tadhg Furlong is in line for his ninth consecutive Test start for the tourists, a remarkable achievement in such an attritional position. Some doubted whether the Wexford man could get back to the level he has played at in the two Tests so far but he has once again proven that he is a man for the big occasion.

Playing this weekend will take Furlong one game clear of Brian O’Driscoll and Conor Murray as Ireland’s most-capped Test Lion of the professional era.

Furlong is still only 32 and we know that modern-day players sometimes keep rolling into their late 30s, but this weekend will be a major achievement for one of the greatest Lions players in history.

Alun Wyn Jones’ record of 12 Test caps across four tours remains the best of the pro era but Furlong is in that kind of company.

Captain Maro Itoje is also set to earn his ninth consecutive Test cap for the Lions, albeit the first of those was off the bench in 2017.

Second row Itoje is still only 30 and you’d have to fancy him to draw level with Jones’ 12 Test caps if he fancies another tour to New Zealand in 2029.

Tadhg Furlong is set for his ninth consecutive Lions Test start. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

If Owen Farrell is involved again this weekend, as expected, he will reach eight Test caps across four tours, while 27-year-old Tom Curry is hoping for Test cap number six and might be eyeing another Lions tour in 2029.

While head coach Farrell can be ruthless when it’s required, he is always well aware of these kinds of achievements and records. With Itoje and Furlong entering the most esteemed company, Farrell will surely highlight it to his squad.

It also seems likely that the Lions boss will ask his players to finish the job for Garry Ringrose, who has cruelly been ruled out of all three Tests with concussion but remains a key figure in the set-up.

Ringrose’s maturity and selflessness in self-identifying concussive symptoms after he had been picked to start the second Test is an example for everyone who plays rugby. The Ireland centre sent out an important message to the entire sport – nothing, not even a Lions Test, is worth it when head injury is involved.

As he watches on again this weekend, the Lions will be playing for Ringrose.