Now for the big decisions that coach Andy Farrell has to get right

The pencilled-in version of Andy Farrell’s Test side had a runout against the Brumbies on Wednesday and fared well, although there were still concerns around slow cleanouts at the breakdown and a lack of a ­fluidity in attack, two ­connected areas.

How did the thrashing of an AUNZ Invitational XV yesterday alter Farrell’s thinking?

Full-back: Blair Kinghorn’s “bang on the knee” against the Brumbies, as Farrell put it, brought the Scotland full-back’s outing to an end after just 25 minutes. Kinghorn seemed the likely Test starter but despite a positive scan, a turnaround for next Saturday feels tight. The logical replacement is Hugo Keenan, a player Farrell knows well from Ireland. Keenan’s quick ­lineout to set up Duhan van der Merwe’s opening try yesterday is the kind of sharp thinking coaches enjoy. Starter: Hugo Keenan

Wings: Farrell loves Mack Hansen’s work-rate. However, Tommy Freeman is the form wing – no player has beaten more defenders (12) – and is so strong in the air, which will fit the Test template with the Lions’ half-backs planning for plenty of kicking. Van der Merwe, despite his hat-trick yesterday, has largely failed to make an impression, which leaves James Lowe, a Farrell favourite with a very useful left-footed kicking game. Starters: James Lowe and Tommy Freeman

Centres: The established Irish and Scottish centre partnerships are both very strong, but Garry Ringrose’s concussion will now lead to a hybrid combination against Australia. Huw Jones offers such threat at outside centre and should partner Bundee Aki, the Lions’ best option to get over the gain line. Ringrose’s absence is a blow given his defensive ability. Starters: Bundee Aki and Huw Jones

Fly-half: No contest. Finn Russell has been a delight and is in the form of his life. His pairing with Jamison Gibson-Park has blossomed and the control Russell has with his tactical kicking has stood out. Combine that with his sleight of hand and he is arguably the world’s form fly-half. Fin Smith defends well but has not quite fired, while Marcus Smith is a strong bench option given his ability to cover full-back. Starter: Finn Russell

Scrum-half: Alex Mitchell’s development over the past two seasons has been phenomenal, his sharp work in attack fused with an improved kicking game. The only issue for Mitchell is that Gibson-Park is on tour, and the Ireland scrum-half consistently plays with so much accuracy, such a sharp ability to locate the space in defences, that he is the clear favourite. The Lions will lean on Gibson-Park’s box-kicking. Ben White also made an excellent late push for a Test bench role against the AUNZ side. Starter: Jamison Gibson-Park

Props: Loosehead always felt like a tight contest between Ellis Genge and Andrew Porter and both players have gone well. Porter is arguably the ­better link player in attack, comfortable as a first receiver. Genge on the other hand has been one of the Lions’ best at getting over the gain line.

The scrum has been mighty on tour even when other aspects of their game have spluttered, but the combination of Genge and Tadhg Furlong in particular has looked effective. Furlong’s track record is outstanding but he came on tour with little playing time after a calf injury. Now he has moved clear of Will Stuart, although Finlay Bealham is a strong contender for a bench role too. Starters: Ellis Genge and Tadhg Furlong

Hooker: Not too much to debate here, with Dan Sheehan the clear starter. His set-piece work is always accurate but it’s his ability to roam out on the wings that makes him invaluable in attack. Luke Cowan-Dickie can do a lot of ­damage in half an hour but his concussion was horribly timed, opening a bench place for Ronan Kelleher, with Jamie George called up as back-up. Starter: Dan Sheehan

Locks: Captain Maro Itoje obviously starts. He has played well all tour but was especially good in the win over the Queensland Reds. The big question has been who will join him. Joe McCarthy is some athlete, Tadhg Beirne a top breakdown threat, while Scott Cummings bounced back from a rough start with a great showing against the Waratahs. Starters: Maro Itoje and Joe McCarthy

Flankers: Blindside flanker is probably where the Lions will use Ollie Chessum. They need his heft to clear out rucks and to carry hard, so that whoever starts at No 7 is freed up to dominate the breakdown.

Openside flanker is the hardest position to pick. Jac Morgan has won a load of turnovers, Tom Curry is world class but perhaps a touch off his best, while Josh van der Flier has been sensational for Farrell’s Ireland in recent years. Instinctively it will be Curry, with Van der Flier and Henry Pollock on the bench. Starters: Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry

No 8: A bit like Sheehan at hooker, there is one obvious Irish contender leading the way. Jack Conan was the surprise starter in South Africa four years ago and the easy choice in 2025 – he carries hard, tackles hard, wins turnovers. Ben Earl is pushing him close, though. Starter: Jack Conan

Bench: Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Mack Hansen.

Photograph by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images