Invitational AU & NZ vs British & Irish Lions Prediction: Van der Merwe can cross for the Lions

The British and Irish Lions will play their final warm-up match on Saturday before next weekend’s first Test, when they face an Invitational AU & NZ team in Adelaide (11:00 BST, Sky Sports Main Event). Andy Farrell’s men have won all their matches since arriving in Australia, and a good performance would put them in the right mindset ahead of the clash with the Wallabies.

Below are my Invitational AU & NZ vs British & Irish Lions predictions, as well as all the essential team news and match odds ahead of this meeting at the Adelaide Oval.

Team News

The tourists will make several changes from the starting XV that beat the Brumbies 24-36, as Farrell finalises his plans for next week.

Ireland star Hugo Keenan has been hit by injury and illness during the tour, but he will start at full-back, while Scotland’s Ben White starts at scrum-half.

The big news comes on the bench, with Owen Farrell selected amongst the replacements, having been a late call-up to the travelling party.

Rugby Union Odds

The Invitational AU & NZ coach, Les Kiss, has named eight All Blacks in his XV, including co-captain David Havili, who has made 30 appearances for New Zealand.

Tane Edmed will start at fly-half as he looks to earn himself a place in the Australia squad for next Saturday’s first Test.

Invitational AU & NZ vs British & Irish Lions Odds

The hosts are available at 18/5 to spring a surprise and claim the victory, while the Lions can be backed at 1/5 to seal another win.

The draw is priced at 25/1, with the three-way handicap set at -13 for Farrell’s men.

British & Irish Lions -11 Handicap @ 4/5

It’s been a case of ‘so far, so good’ for the Lions without them really impressing, with victories over Western Force, Reds, Waratahs and Brumbies.

Although Farrell will have most of the starting XV in his mind for the Australia clash on July 19, there could well be at least a couple of spaces up for grabs.

The players included to face the Invitational XV will know that they have a chance to impress and that should spur them on to a big performance.

It will need to be a step up for the Lions, as they prepare for their biggest test since the defeat to Argentina in Dublin last month.

Fin Smith in particular will need to outshine his fellow number 10 Edmed, who will be desperate to add to his one Wallabies cap to date.

Anytime Tryscorer - Duhan van der Merwe @ 5/6

Scotland star Duhan van der Merwe is part of a second Lions tour, having played in all three Tests against South Africa in 2021.

The winger looks set to start next week’s first Test among the replacements, but he will want to show he can still have a big impact.

Van der Merwe scored five tries in four warm-up games in South Africa and also got his name on the scoresheet in the 12-52 success over the Reds earlier this month.

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