Lawrence Dallaglio was speaking after the Lions’ second Test victory over the WallabiesJac Morgan (right) of the British & Irish Lions (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Former England and Lions star Lawrence Dallaglio says the ‘absolutely immense’ trio of Jac Morgan, Ellis Genge and James Ryan helped prove him ‘so wrong’ in the second and series-defining Test match against the Wallabies.

The Lions snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Melbourne, with Hugo Keenan scoring with seconds to spare at the MCG to seal the series for Andy Farrell’s men.

If the first Test was one-sided, this encounter was far more competitive, with the home team taking it to the tourist right from the first whistle. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

But gradually the men in red gained a foothold in the contest, which developed into what Dallaglio believes “will go down in history as one of the greatest ever”.

The ex-No.8 feels Farrell deserves immense credit for using his squad so effectively, especially his bench options, which proved so impactful on Saturday night Down Under.

Morgan, Genge and Ryan were central to that, with the Welshman involved in the hugely influential – and contentious – moment in the build-up to Keenan’s winning try.

“It was a squad effort that did it in the end,” he wrote in his Times column.

“Hugo Keenan will get the headlines but once again Andy Farrell has proved himself to be a master selector and the way he used his bench was pitch perfect.

“After the criticism they had endured he knew the Wallabies were going to come out all guns blazing in front of over 90,000 people at the MCG and that this was a Test match that was going to be decided at the death.

“I have never been much of a fan of this starters and finishers talk that has taken over the modern game — but how I was proven so wrong.

“Ellis Genge, James Ryan, Jac Morgan — these guys came on and were just absolutely immense.

“And they needed to be because the Lions were in real trouble.

“Rewind to the first half, and at 23-5 down, with Will Skelton and Rob Valetini destroying the tourists, things were not looking good.”

The Lions move on to Sydney now with the chance of a 3-0 whitewash up for grabs.

Morgan’s clearout on Carlo Tizzano has prompted huge debate among pundits and fans, with Wales legend Sam Warburton unimpressed by the Wallaby’s perceived theatrics.

“The Lions got their just reward at the end,” Warburton said on Sky Sports. “That was a superb clear-out from Jac Morgan.

“An excellent piece of play, well finished off by Hugo Keenan. We don’t need those footballer-type responses to try and win penalties like that. A just end for the Lions.

“I’m glad the referee didn’t buy him acting to try and get that penalty.”