ALUN Wyn Jones will captain the British & Irish Lions in Saturday's deciding Test against Australia - but Brian O'Driscoll has been dropped from the squad.
Ospreys lock Jones will lead a side containing seven changes, one positional, from last weekend's defeat in Melbourne.
The 70-times-capped 27-year-old is one of 10 Welshmen in the side, equalling the Lions record.
O'Driscoll, who is on his fourth and last Lions tour, was the leading candidate to replace the injured captain Sam Warburton.
Responding to being dropped with a post on his Twitter page, 34-year-old O'Driscoll said: "Obviously totally gutted at being left out for deciding Test but all efforts go into preparing the boys to see it through. #seaofred."
Head coach Warren Gatland said: "Brian was disappointed, but he appreciated that he was spoken to before the team announcement.
"It's the first time that a coach has ever made the decision with him in 15 years of rugby."
Gatland makes six changes to the team beaten in the second Test, with centre Jamie Roberts, who had suffered a hamstring problem, fit to start.
Prop Alex Corbisiero, hooker Richard Hibbard, flanker Sean O'Brien, scrum-half Mike Phillips and number eight Toby Faletau are also included.
There is a further positional change, with Jonathan Davies reverting to his more regular outside centre role, having started in the number 12 jersey for the first two Tests alongside O'Driscoll.
Alun Wyn Jones leads the Lions for the first time, though he has captained Wales once before. "He leads from the front," said Gatland.
"He's been outstanding in the lead-up games and was one of the first names on the teamsheet when we picked the side for the first two Tests."
The coach went on: "It all comes down to Saturday. Winner takes all. We know we can leave nothing in the tank and that only a complete performance will get us across the line.
"Picking this team was not easy and ultimately with several players available after recovering from injury the head overruled the heart in many selection decisions.
"It has been a challenging tour and we have had our fair share of injuries but we always knew that would be the case. Brian O'Driscoll is a great player and has had a wonderful career but for the final Test in Sydney we just felt Jamie Roberts's presence offered us something more.
"Mike Phillips and Alex Corbisiero were first Test selections and would probably have played in the second Test if not for injury." British and Irish Lions team to face Australia in the third Test at the ANZ Stadium, Sydney, on Saturday, July 6: L Halfpenny (Wales); T Bowe (Ireland), J Davies (Wales), J Roberts (Wales), G North (Wales); J Sexton (Ireland), M Phillips (Wales); A Corbisiero (England), R Hibbard (Wales), A Jones (Wales), A-W Jones (Wales, capt), G Parling (England), D Lydiate (Wales), Toby Faletau (Wales), S O'Brien (Ireland).
Replacements: T Youngs (England), M Vunipola (England), D Cole (England), R Gray (Scotland), J Tipuric (Wales), C Murray (Ireland), O Farrell (England), Manu Tuilagi (England).
