Farrell believes he has struck right Lions back-row balance despite trio missing out

Farrell selected Tom Curry at openside flanker, to the detriment of van der Flier, Morgan and Pollock in a back row featuring Tadhg Beirne on the blindside and Jack Conan at No.8.

Henry Pollock, left, and Josh van der Flier during a British & Irish Lions squad training session at the Churchie School in Brisbane, Australia. Pic:

Andy Farrell had words of sympathy for leaving Jac Morgan and Josh van der Flier out of his British & Irish Lions back row for the first Test against Australia on Saturday but the head coach is convinced he has struck the right balance with the loose-forward trio he has selected.

Farrell selected Tom Curry at openside flanker, to the detriment of fellow number sevens van der Flier and Morgan, in a back row featuring Tadhg Beirne on the blindside and Jack Conan at No.8.