Waratahs vs British & Irish Lions Prediction: Big win for away side

The British and Irish Lions play their third game in seven days since landing Down Under as Andy Farrell and co continue the build-up to facing the Wallabies in their first Test in a fortnight. After running in 50+ points in wins over the Western Force and the Reds, the Lions have moved on to Sydney for a tussle with the Waratahs, where Farrell is set to give the remaining members of his party game-time.

Ahead of the game Farrell has issued a Lions call-up to his son, Owen, after Elliot Daly was ruled out of the rest of the tour due to an arm injury. Read on for my Waratahs vs British & Irish Lions predictions, complete with the latest odds and team news for the clash in Sydney on Saturday (kick-off 11:00 BST).

Team news

Irishman Tadhg Beirne will captain the British and Irish Lions team to play the Waratahs in Sydney.

Andy Farrell has made sweeping changes to his side, showing 14 changes from the one that saw off the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

Hugo Keenan will make his first appearance at full-back with Blair Kinghorn also making his Lions debut. Kinghorn, a natural 15, has been picked on the left wing.

Huw Jones, the only player going back-to-back from Brisbane, starts alongside his Scotland midfield partner Sione Tuipulotu. Northampton half-backs, Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell both start as does Saints' Henry Pollock at blind-side flanker.

Rugby Union Odds

For the first time on tour the Lions are going with a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench.

Much attention focused on the news that the Lions boss had opted to call-up his son, Owen Farrell, as replacement for the injured Daly.

The 33-year-old hasn't played any rugby since getting concussed in a game for Racing against Lyon on May 4 but is now set for his fourth Lions Tour, with his father suggesting: "Owen's fit or else he wouldn't be picked."

The New South Wales outfit have named Wallabies Taniela Tupou (tight head prop) and Andrew Kellaway (wing) in their side.

The Waratahs will be captained by long-serving backrower Hugh Sinclair at No.8, while Darby Lancaster is on the left wing after being released from the Wallabies wider training group.

Waratahs vs British & Irish Lions Odds

The Waratahs are 20/1 to stun the tourists, while the draw is priced at 28/1 for this Sydney showdown. The handicap is set at 35 points, with 8/11 available on the Lions and it is 20/1 the handicap tie.

British & Irish Lions -35 points @ 8/11 

The Waratahs did not have their finest season in Super Rugby, finishing down in eighth spot and another high-scoring win for the Lions looks to be on the cards.

The touring side have run in 50+ points in both games since arriving Down Under, atoning for a shock reverse against Argentina in Dublin before leaving for Australia.

They have scored eight tries in those wins against the Western Force and the Reds and should be feeling confident of matching or bettering that benchmark.

There is just a fortnight to go before the first Test against the Wallabies and, with Farrell suggesting in midweek that places are being played for, don't expect this much-changed Lions line-up to show any mercy to the Waratahs.

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