A couple of months ago, it would have seemed peculiar that including Tadhg Beirne in the side for the first Test against the Wallabies would have been seen as a major call, but Lions tours can throw up some unusual situations.
The Munster captain would have been seen as a nailed-on second row alongside captain Maro Itoje for the Test squad, but with Joe McCarthy grabbing his opportunity at lock, Beirne appeared to be losing ground on the Test side when Ollie Chessum was given the role of the hybrid lock/blindside flanker in last week's win against the Brumbies.
Ultimately though, Beirne had credit in the bank with Andy Farrell.
"You take a lot of things into account: form is one but you also take into account big match temperament, and we’ve got a good few of those in the starting line-up," the head coach said.
He wasn't specifically referring to Beirne when he mentioned the value of experience, but when pressed further for what separated Beirne from Chessum in the selection process, he elaborated on why the 33-year-old remains so valuable to his side.
He said: "Tadhg’s had many big games in big games when it really matters, so I’ve no doubt Ollie will have an impact on the game also.
"That [back row] was the hotly contested one. Part of the side that's been talked about for quite some time and rightly so because of the quality we've got there.
"Obviously we feel that's the right balance for the first Test, the combination of Tadhg being the type of player that he is, his quality in the setpiece but his all-round ability either as the jackaler or a ball playing six, compliments Jack [Conan].
"In a similar regard, Tom [Curry] being the engine that we all know that we need in regards to Test match football."
The other major selection call came on the other flank, where Tom Curry (above) was favoured over the only Welshman in the squad, Jac Morgan, and one of Farrell’s most trusted Ireland players, Josh van der Flier.
And while Farrell says the difference between Curry and Morgan and Van der Flier was "as close as you can imagine", he’s singled out those who haven’t been selected for their stoic response.
"Look, you're gutted for players like that and Josh as well, and Henry [Pollock] as well, because they're playing good rugby and could easily be in this side on Saturday," he said.
"But I suppose that shows the good place that we're at as a group.
"It’s been a very thorough, vigorous debate to how we got to this point and that’s exactly what you’d hope for from selecting the team for the first Test.
"Some things look after themselves, some things need debating more than normal and that shows there’s a healthy competition in the squad.
"Once we all agree and I’ve heard the term agree to disagree, there’s not been much of that at all… once we all agree, we just push forward together.
"The best thing about this week so far, for me, and it will probably continue right up to the end of the game, is how the lads who have been the opposition this week, ie Australia and training in the yellow, have helped prepare this team. It’s been top drawer, top drawer, to a man.
"That just shows where the group is at and because of that sound preparation we’ll all benefit on Saturday."
Earlier, Australia head coach Joe Schmidt named his squad for the opening Test, with four changes from the group that defeated Fiji earlier this month.
Injuries to Rob Valetini and Langy Gleeson have led to Nick Champion de Crespigny coming in for a debut in the back row, while Will Skelton (below) also misses out in the second row.
The loss of two of the Wallabies’ premier forwards has only strengthened the Lions’ position as favourites, although Farrell is expecting only the best from a Joe Schmidt side.
"We know the quality when it comes to their [Australia’s] attacking threats, their athletic ability, the way they want to play the game from turnover ball and counter attack, all that, their set-piece is good," said Farrell.
"We want to see a performance that does everyone proud and, when I say everyone, you’re talking about thousands of people that are turning up.
"You’re walking around town and you can already feel it heating up and it will only ramp up tomorrow, so it’s making sure we do everyone proud here and at home with the type of performance that is one that’s going to walk forward to the challenge and be the best version of ourselves.
"You can talk about everything that the first Test always is on a Lions tour, but it’s making sure we’re concentrating on the performance and that we attack it from the get-go."
Follow a live blog of Australia v British and Irish Lions on Saturday from 11am on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
