Lions aim to prove that size does matter
Biggest XV ever selected will look to batter Australia into submission up front, but hosts believe their own big man Folau can be key
British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has picked a side built to batter Australia into submission in the series-deciding third test. But the Wallabies believe if they can get the ball into the hands of winger Israel Folau they can carve open the giant tourists.
The Lions were labelled "slabs of red meat" by one Australian newspaper when Gatland's squad was announced and have lived up to that billing with some bruising displays of forward power during the tour.
Gatland has fielded the biggest side at his disposal for the Olympic Stadium showdown today, bringing in the likes of hooker Richard Hibbard, number eight Toby Faletau, flanker Sean O'Brien and centre Jamie Roberts.
Irish winger Tommy Bowe is hoping the "big fellas" will help put the tourists on the front foot after they spent much of last weekend's second test defeat in defence.
"The team we've chosen is as big a side as we could have here. Hopefully we can get a lot of ball and get on the front foot," he said.
"There's huge ball carriers there. If we can hold on to the ball and keep battering over the top of the Aussies, we can hopefully do some damage.