Lions sorting final places in

Tuesday’s Chiefs game last chance to push case for first test selection

There are vacancies in the Lions’ probable test line-up and a couple of thorny questions that the coaching staff will look to answer after the match against the Chiefs.

The troublesome areas are their back three and midfield, where it’s unlikely the Lions have fixed on who they are going to select in those roles to play the All Blacks.

Clouding the issue is the head knock suffered by Leigh Halfpenny against the Maori. The Welshman may not necessarily offer the same counter-attacking threat as others in the squad but is one of the best goalkickers in the world and as such, presumably, a certainty to play if fit.

But coaches can never be sure when it comes to head injuries and Gatland needs a Plan B. That’s why Liam Williams has been picked at fullback to play the Chiefs.

The Welshman enjoyed an impressive tour of New Zealand last year and has played well on the wing on this trip. A big game from him and he shifts himself into contention to start if Halfpenny is ruled out.

“The thing about the back three is that a number of players are pretty versatile,” said Lions coach Warren Gatland. “We could have left Liam on the wing and played Elliot Daly there [at fullback]. It’s an opportunity for him to go out there and impress at fullback. Anthony Watson did a good job coming on at fullback against the Crusaders. He’s looked dangerous as well.

“So we are giving players a chance from a counter attacking perspective to go out there and impress.

“There is no doubt they [the Chiefs] will come to play and throw the ball around as they typically do.”

Regardless of the final make-up, Gatland will feel a degree of confidence that with Halfpenny, George North, Williams, Watson and Daly all in the mix, he will be able to field a back three with the ability to cause a few problems.

The composition of his midfield may not be so easy to determine as it comes with a couple of different options.

Ben Te’o and Jonathan Davies have been the preferred Saturday pairing so far and have gelled well and are developing a useful combination. Te’o is growing in stature and his direct running fits perfectly within the Lions game plan.

There will likely be some reticence among the Lions coaching staff to break that 12-13 set-up and the question will then be do they pick Johnny Sexton or Owen Farrell at No 10?

Farrell will be fit to play and is probably the front-runner having shown greater control than Sexton, albeit only just. Should Halfpenny not play, Farrell’s superior goalkicking would be a factor to consider as well.

But asked on Saturday what he expects the Lions to do, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen predicted that Sexton would be at first-five and Farrell at second-five for the first test.

That would give the Lions two decision-makers and two strong