**Lawrence Dallaglio Admits Error as Jac Morgan and Lions Bench Silence Critics in Classic Test**
Former England and Lions player Lawrence Dallaglio has openly acknowledged he was mistaken in doubting the impact of several key British and Irish Lions players during the dramatic second Test victory over Australia. The tense match, staged at Melbourne Cricket Ground, ended in a last-gasp try from Hugo Keenan that clinched the series for Andy Farrell’s side—a moment that will surely be remembered for years to come.
Dallaglio, writing in his regular column for *The Times*, was fulsome in his praise for the trio of Jac Morgan, Ellis Genge and James Ryan, all of whom entered the fray from the bench and fundamentally changed the course of the match. For Dallaglio, well-known for his reservations about rugby’s modern “starters and finishers” approach, it proved a humbling reversal. “How I was proven so wrong,” he admitted, underlining just how pivotal the replacements were as the Lions clawed their way back from a daunting 23-5 deficit.
The result not only marks a storied win for the touring side but also highlights head coach Andy Farrell’s strategic nous. Having come under pressure after a lopsided first Test, Farrell’s tactical decisions—particularly his timely use of substitutes—have been widely praised. The coach’s calculated risk-taking revitalised a Lions side that only moments previously had seemed destined to lose.
Central to the dramatic turnaround was the contribution from Wales’ Jac Morgan. His role in the contentious lead-up to Keenan’s winning try sparked considerable debate among rugby pundits and fans. While some questioned the legality of Morgan’s clearout on Carlo Tizzano, others, including former Wales captain Sam Warburton, strongly defended the action, suggesting that Tizzano’s theatrical response was unnecessary and unjustified. Warburton commented on Sky Sports, “That was a superb clear-out from Jac Morgan. A just end for the Lions.”
Throughout a fiercely contested match, Australian forwards Will Skelton and Rob Valetini had dominated the early stages, leaving the Lions shell-shocked and trailing by a significant margin at the interval. Yet, despite the adversity and cauldron-like atmosphere created by the 90,000-strong Melbourne crowd, the Lions refused to capitulate. The momentum began to shift as Morgan, Genge and Ryan brought renewed energy and composure to both attack and defence.
In his assessment, Dallaglio credited Farrell not just for his bench selections, but also for maintaining faith in his squad amid widespread criticism after the opening Test. “This was a squad effort in every sense,” he wrote, making clear that headlines about individual heroics should not overshadow the collective will and adaptability of the touring party.
With the series now secured, the Lions move on to Sydney with an historic 3-0 clean sweep within their grasp. The psychological resilience displayed in Melbourne, coupled with the successful deployment of impact players, will only strengthen their resolve in the final encounter.
The fallout from the match has also provoked wider conversations about gamesmanship and the influence of officials. Warburton, among others, has praised the referee’s composure in not rewarding what he labelled “footballer-type responses” from the Australians. This has reignited discussion over where the line falls between gamesmanship and genuine infringements in rugby.
For Dallaglio and many other observers, the second Test in Melbourne will stand as one of the greatest occasions in British and Irish Lions history. Not only for its dramatic denouement but for the clear demonstration that, in rugby, collective effort and timely decisions from the touchline can overcome even the sternest of challenges.