Brian O’Driscoll has been dropped for the British and Irish Lions third and decisive test against Australia on Saturday, leaving Welsh lock Alun Wyn Jones to captain a powerful and much-changed side.

The team features six changes to the starting line-up from the side that lost 16-15 to the Wallabies in Melbourne last Saturday, which levelled the three-match series following the Lions’ 23-21 victory in the Brisbane opener.

Irish centre O’Driscoll, expected by many to take the captaincy after Sam Warburton suffered a tour-ending hamstring injury, was left out of the matchday squad altogether, bringing a premature end to his 12-year career with the tourists.

The 34-year-old started both previous tests but coach Warren Gatland said he thought Welshman Jamie Roberts offered “something more”.

Roberts, who missed the first two tests with a hamstring injury, and Jonathan Davies will instead start in the centres, two of 10 Welshmen in the starting line-up.

Toby Faletau comes in at number eight for Ireland’s Jamie Heaslip and Mike Phillips, who played in the first test but was rested for the second because of concerns about his knee, returns at scrumhalf in place of England’s Ben Youngs.

Irishman Sean O’Brien replaces Warburton at openside flanker in the new-look back row, which suggests the Lions will again look to blow the Wallabies away up front rather than play too expansively.

Alex Corbisiero returns in the front row after missing the second test with a calf problem.