LISTEN: Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan admits ‘surprise’ over Sexton and Farrell selection

Former British and Irish Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan admits he was surprised by Warren Gatland’s decision to pick both Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell for the side to play the All Blacks in Saturday’s second Test.

On Thursday morning Gatland revealed his full team to take on New Zealand in Wellington, with series captain Sam Warburton returning to the starting line-up having been a substitute in the 30-15 defeat Auckland.

READ MORE: Click to see the full British and Irish Lions squad for the second Test against New Zealand

But it was the inclusion of competing fly-halfs Sexton and Farrell which drew the most attention.

The head coach believes the duo can handle themselves against All Blacks battering ram Sonny Bill Williams, despite thier slighter frames, and that the attacking advantage they bring could be key as they aim to level the Test series.

But McGeechan, for one, didn’t see it coming.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the Scot - who led the Lions to Test victories in Australian (1989) and South Africa (1997) said: “I think [Gatland] is trying to keep them thinking.

"Their breakdown work and just getting players into play didn’t really come off in the first Test.

“But I am surprised they’ve gone with Sexton AND Farrell, to be honest.

“Sonny Bill Williams will be looking to come down that channel early on in the game I would think, and the All Blacks did play very well in those tight channels to get control of the game.”

Another of Gatland’s changes sees Maro Itoje come into the side in place of George Kruis to partner Alun Wyn Jones at lock.

And ‘Geech’ believes England youngster Itoje could be vital to the Lions' game plan as they look to save the series in Wellington.

He added: “The Lions need players who are on their feet quickly, back in play and hitting them early and up again…that’s where they go caught out last weekend. Maro Itoje coming in helps that

“In the first Test, when the All Blacks got on the front foot they stayed on the front foot and kept that quick ball, the Lions just couldn’t slow it down.

“So I think they would have done a lot of work on the breakdown this week to try and make sure the first hit is strong.

“Maybe they need to take more New Zealanders out of the breakdown. The Lions have always tried to get players over the top of the ball and I think they need to actually try and knock the New Zealanders who are arriving away from where the ball is.”

Listen to talkSPORT’s interview with Sir Ian McGeechan IN FULL above!