- Venue: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
- Date: Saturday, 29 June
- Kick-off: 11:05 BST (20:05 local)
Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website
The British and Irish Lions must be ruthless in the second Test
against Australia to secure a series victory, says assistant coach Rob
Howley.
Victory in Melbourne would secure the Lions' first series success since the 1997 triumph in South Africa.
And Howley insists the players know what is required to beat the Wallabies.
"The side that has been selected has Test match animals
that have made decisions in games - they understand what is required,"
he said.
Australia are far from beaten and fought back from losing the first Test the last time the Lions toured Down Under in 2001 for their first-ever series victory.
But head coach Warren Gatland is not resting on his laurels and has made five changes from the 23-21 victory in Brisbane for Saturday's game, which kicks off at 11:05 BST.
Wing Tommy Bowe has made a remarkable recovery from breaking his hand at the start of the tour to take over from Alex Cuthbert.
Ben Youngs replaces Mike Phillips at scrum-half while flanker Dan Lydiate replaces Tom Croft, who drops to the bench.
Lock Geoff Parling and prop Mako Vunipola step in for the injured Paul O'Connell and Alex Corbisiero.
Around 30,000 Lions fans are expected at the 54,000-capacity Etihad Stadium and captain Sam Warburton has said he cannot wait for the occasion.
"Normally, you are pretty nervous in the week going into a big game for your club or country, but the feeling ahead of this one is complete excitement, knowing what you could achieve," he said.
Captain James Horwill starts for Australia despite facing an International Rugby Board appeal against a decision which cleared him of stamping or trampling.
He was cleared at a disciplinary hearing after he was cited after his boot came into contact with the head of Lions lock Alun Wyn Jones.
Australia have kept James O'Connor at fly-half despite struggling in the first Test.
Kurtley Beale, who missed a last-minute penalty that would have given the Wallabies victory, starts at full-back in place of the injured Berrick Barnes.
Australia: Kurtley Beale (Melbourne Rebels); Israel Folau (NSW), Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW), Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies), Joe Tomane (Brumbies); James O'Connor (Melbourne Rebels), Will Genia (Reds); Benn Robinson (NSW), Stephen Moore (ACT), Ben Alexander (ACT), James Horwill (Reds - capt), Kane Douglas (NSW), Ben Mowen (ACT), Michael Hooper (NSW), Wycliff Palu (NSW).
Replacements: Saia Fainga'a (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), Sekope Kepu (NSW), Rob Simmons (Reds), Liam Gill (Reds) Nick Phipps (Rebels), Rob Horne (NSW), Jesse Mogg (Brumbies).
Lions: Leigh Halfpenny, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Jonathan Davies, George North, Jonathan Sexton, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Tom Youngs, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Geoff Parling, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (c), Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Ryan Grant, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Sean O'Brien, Conor Murray, Owen Farrell, Alex Cuthbert.
ESPN TV NEWS
The British & Irish Lions will be hoping to complete a series victory over Australia when the two sides go
head-to-head in the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday night.
The Lions claimed a priceless 23-21 first Test victory in Brisbane last weekend and know a similar result at the Etihad Stadium would secure a first series victory since 1997 and a first over the Wallabies since 1989. Australia must win to keep their hopes of taking the series alive with the third and final Test scheduled for Sydney on July 6.
The Lions rode their luck in Brisbane where Australia pushed them all the way only for injuries and a crucial slip from fullback Kurtley Beale as he attempted what would have been a match-winning penalty to deny them a famous Test triumph. The on-going saga surrounding the citing of captain James Horwill will have not helped their preparation for this game but they will enter this re-match confident they have the beating of the Lions - they just need some good fortune.
The opening clash between these sides produced some of the most thrilling rugby of recent memory - with two outstanding tries - and another intense and closely-fought battle is expected this time around. But the game may not be as easy on the eye with Lions boss Warren Gatland insisting that he is happy for his side to win 'ugly' - as long as they get the job done. His Wallabies counterpart Robbie Deans will also no doubt accept a win of any kind with not only the series but his long-term job prospects hinging on the result.
Australia - Player to Watch: Kurtley Beale has hogged the headlines for the wrong reasons of late thanks to a costly last-gasp slip in the first Test and a subsequent late night fast food fix. Can he re-build his reputation with a dazzling display in Melbourne and silence his doubters?
RUGBY LIVE TVAustralia - Team News: Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has been forced to make two changes with injuries to fullback Berrick Barnes (head) and winger Digby Ioane (shoulder) prompting the promotion of Kurtley Beale and Joe Tomane with the latter set to win only his second cap. Centre Christian Lealiifano has recovered from the head knock that sidelined him in the opening moments of the first Test while James O'Connor retains the No.10 shirt despite widespread criticism of his showing in Brisbane. Centre Rob Horne and uncapped fullback Jesse Mogg have both been added to the bench.
British & Irish Lions -
Player to Watch: The Wallabies are set to throw everything except the kitchen sink at the Lions and flanker Dan Lydiate has been tasked with shackling the hosts and denying them any momentum. Expect his tackle count to go stratospheric.
British & Irish Lions - Team News: Lions coach Warren Gatland has made five changes to his side - two forced by injuries to lock Paul O'Connell and prop Alex Corbisiero. As a result, Geoff Parling comes in the second row and Mako Vunipola will pack down at loose-head. There is also a promotion from the bench for blindside Dan Lydiate while winger Tommy Bowe and scrum-half Ben Youngs have also got the nod. Flanker Tom Croft drops to the bench as does winger Alex Cuthbert but No.9 Mike Phillips drops out of the squad with Conor Murray providing cover. Ryan Grant fills the void on the bench left by Vunipola while there is also room for versatile back-row Sean O'Brien.
Key Battle: Ben Youngs has been handed the chance to impress in the Lions' No.9 shirt but is set to go up against arguably the best scrum-half in the world - and maybe the most influential player - in the form of Australia's Will Genia. Both boast game-breaking ability in abundance and will be keen to dictate the pace of the game but they will be heavily reliant on their respective forward packs.
Trivia: Brian O'Driscoll will make his 8th Test appearance for the Lions on Saturday night and in doing so will move joint 6th in the list of most-capped Lions players of all-time. Will John McBride holds the record with 17 across five tours.
Stats: In the second Test clash in Melbourne 12 years ago, the Wallabies fought back from an 11-6 half-time deficit to claim a 35-14 victory and level the series. Two tries in a matter of minutes from winger Joe Roff proved the key with the boot of fullback Matt Burke steering the hosts home.
Betting: Fancy Kurtley Beale to put his first Test shocker behind him? Bet365 are offering 14/1 for Wallabies fullback to grab the opening try of the game. Maybe you think Lions winger George North will continue his rich vein of form with the first try and the Lions will claim a narrow win - that will pay 35/1.
