British and Irish Lions 2017: Warren Gatland names unchanged squad to face All Blacks with Liam Williams fit

Gatland keeps faith with the side that beat New Zealand in the second Test and challenges them to make Lions history

Liam Williams has been passed fit to start the final Test against New Zealand after Warren Gatland named an unchanged side for the series decider this Saturday.

The Wales full-back had not completed training on Wednesday after complaining of a tight hamstring, but he was retained in the same line-up that won last weekend’s second Test 24-21 in Wellington to level the series at 1-1 and send it to a decider at Auckland’s Eden Park.

The Lions will keep a close eye on Williams to see how he reacts to Thursday’s training session, and providing he comes through unscathed, the 26-year-old will keep his place at full-back for this weekend’s decisive third Test.

His recovery means that the Lions name an unchanged Test side for the first time since the 1993 tour of New Zealand, with Sam Warburton again captaining the side from blindside flanker as Sean O’Brien is eligible to be named at openside, having had his citing for a swinging arm on All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo dismissed last Sunday.

“It is not very often on a Lions Tour that you get to pick the same 23 for the following game,” Gatland said.

“We felt we should reward the players for the result and the courage that they showed in coming from behind from 18-9 down, digging themselves out of a hole and then finishing strongly in that last 10 to 15 minutes.”

His decision means that Iain Henderson will not feature at all in the Test series, despite impressing in the later mid-week games, while both George Kruis and Peter O’Mahony are once again overlooked after being dropped following the 30-15 first Test defeat.

“There are some players who are pretty disappointed not to be selected and I understand that,” added Gatland. “It is what you would expect from competitive top athletes, they back themselves. But we have stressed all along that this is not all about the 23 players but about everyone in the squad – they have put their disappointment behind them and are helping the match day squad prepare the best they can for the Test match.

“We are all aware of how big this game is and we are expecting a backlash from the All Blacks. But the pleasing thing about the second Test is just how strong we were in the last 10 or 15 minutes, in terms of energy and enthusiasm so we still feel there is another level in us.”

Warburton will lead the side from blindside flanker (Getty) (Getty Images)

The Kiwi is under no illusions over how big this game is, not just for him, but for the players to write their names in Lions folklore.

He said: “This is a huge chance for this group of players to show their abilities and reap the benefits of the work everyone has put in. It is their chance to make Lions history.”

Lions squad to face New Zealand

Liam Williams; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, Alun Wyn Jones; Sam Warburton, Sean O’Brien, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Ben Te’o, Jack Nowell.