Call between Jones and Maro was a toss of a coin - Warren Gatland

The British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has revealed the decision to pick Alun Wyn Jones over Maro Itoje for a second-row starting place was a proverbial coin toss.

Wales pair Alun Wyn Jones and Liam Williams were picked ahead of Itoje and Leigh Halfpenny in Gatland’s squad that will take on New Zealand this Saturday at Eden Park.

The decision was taken during an 80-minute coaches’ selection meeting on Wednesday.

Gatland believes Jones is already aware that he must work hard to stay in the British and Irish Lions Test side.

“We had a choice,” Gatland explained. “Alun Wyn Jones could have been potentially a player but he knows himself it was a big call between him and Maro - it was a toss of a coin – and he knows he is under pressure. He knows he has to go out and perform and give a big performance personally. It’s a great position for us to be in as a team because we feel we have a pretty strong starting 15 but also some real impact coming off the bench.

“He knows himself he has a fight on his hands. Alun played well against the Crusaders; Maro was outstanding against the Maori. There was a long debate about the bench and the impact off it and Maro being able to do that role and whether Alun Wyn, with his experience and fighting for his position, would that bring the best out of him?”

Gatland is looking for Williams to cause New Zealand similar trouble with his running and attacking game to what he created for the All Blacks when on tour with Wales last summer.

On Williams, Gatland added: “To be honest he’s played his way into the Test team by his performance [against the Chiefs]. He’s done one dumb thing which was his little chip ahead but you know that every now and then there might be a brain explosion with Liam Williams, as we saw that with the yellow card, but he must be switched on mentally.

“We saw last year he caused the All Blacks problems with his running and attacking game and when we sat down on Wednesday, we asked whether we need to look at our back three and we need to go there, and have players who have some footwork and to play some rugby.”

If the Lions manage to win this weekend, it will bring to an end New Zealand’s 23-year unbeaten record at Eden Park.