Sexton: Let’s do it for O’Driscoll and O’Connell

The British & Irish Lions have their date with destiny today and with a long-awaited Test series victory within their grasp, they will face Australia determined to deliver success for veteran duo Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell.

Lions fly-half Jonathan Sexton issued the rallying cry on the eve of today’s game at Etihad Stadium (11:05am Irish time) with the tourists on the brink of a first series win since 1997 in South Africa.

Warren Gatland’s side edged past the Wallabies in Brisbane seven days ago with O’Driscoll the only player in the entire squad to have experience of taking a 1-0 series lead into a second Test. That was a dozen years ago in 2001 when the Irish outside centre was 21 and the Lions, captained by Martin Johnson, missed their shot at glory, losing the Melbourne Test at the same stadium 35-14 having led 11-6 at half-time.