Jamie George v Codie Taylor
The pivotal No 2 position is set to be taken by two relative international rookies, with George seemingly set to see off the challenge of his more experienced rivals Ken Owens and Rory Best. Owens may yet get the nod, with George coming off the bench, but the prospect of the Lions deploying the Saracen from the start would provide a dynamism and ball-carrying threat the tourists desperately need.
The All Blacks’ regular hooker, Dane Coles, is fighting a long battle with post-concussion symptoms, so Taylor is expected to start. Like George, the 26year-old has pace to burn for a front-row forward while his set-piece work is of the highest calibre. Both men will be looking to get the physical edge at scrum time.