Sean Fitzpatrick has backed Courtney Lawes to start the second Test against New Zealand, but believes Lions head coach Warren Gatland cannot afford to make wholesale changes. Update
Tuesday 18 April 2023 11:27, UK
Sean Fitzpatrick has backed Courtney Lawes to start the second Test against New Zealand, but believes Lions head coach Warren Gatland cannot afford to make wholesale changes.
Gatland admitted Lawes had given him "food for thought" after the second-row produced an impressive performance in the 31-31 draw against the Hurricanes on Wednesday.
Iain Henderson was another stand-out performer for the Lions in Wellington and Fitzpatrick expects both players to come into the match-day 23 for Saturday's clash at Westpac Stadium.
The All Blacks currently lead the three-game series 1-0 after their 30-15 victory in Auckland last Saturday.
"I think Courtney Lawes will force himself into the team and Iain Henderson will force his way onto the bench," former All Black Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Both of them had the games of their tour really, in terms of the way they played. Courtney Lawes has that very physical presence, very good ball carrying under pressure and also defends very well.
"I must say Iain Henderson played the house down until he got that yellow card with a bit of time to go.
"They both played really well and it is probably something Gatland has been looking at as a result of what happened on Saturday night in the Test match, in terms of needing that physical presence.
"But Gatland can't go changing that much and must build on what he's achieved, let's not take away how good the Lions were last Saturday night.
"They played very well and it took a phenomenal All Blacks performance to beat them."
Get a Sky Sports Day Pass and watch New Zealand v the British and Irish Lions in the second Test
Testing the spreker podcast
on an amp article
with many words
