Eddie O’Sullivan had recommended the move to Clive Woodward and it proved a good one as D’Arcy finished off a try which sealed the game for the Lions.

Now, with Gavin Henson rested, D’Arcy has been given a chance to recreate his often devastating midfield partnership with O’Driscoll on Saturday.

“We are looking at all possibilities as we move towards the Test series. Gordon and Brian have played successfully together for Ireland and this is again another possible combination that might show up later on in the tour.”

Paul O’Connell has been named vice-captain to O’Driscoll and he will partner Simon Shaw, Malcolm O’Kelly’s replacement, in the second row of a jumbo-sized pack.

Giant prop Andrew Sheridan, who is yet to start a Test for England, will pack down alongside hooker Steve Thompson and tight-head Julian White in a front row that astonishingly weighs in at 55 stone.

But the Maori front row will be no pushovers and Sheridan faces a huge challenge to prove his Test credentials.

All Black prop Carl Hayman, his opposite number, weighs in at nearly 19 stone and the Maori’s powerful front row tips the scales at nearly 54 stone.

“It’s going to be a huge battle up front and it’s important to dominate in that area,” said Lions forwards coach Andy Robinson.

“We have a lot of respect for the Maori front row. Everybody has been saying that New Zealand forward play in general is not as strong as it was, but I don’t think that’s been the case.

“I think they have put a lot of attention into their set plays and as we saw in the Taranaki game, these guys are very good scrummagers.”

Simon Taylor gets his first chance to shine at number eight after recovering from a hamstring injury which sidelined him for the Lions’ first three games.

He has come through rigorous training sessions this week and he will be out to challenge Martin Corry and Michael Owen for a place in the Test back row.

“Simon is raring to go,” said coach Andy Robinson.

“Having seen the good performances of the back row over the past two games, we want Simon to perform to that level and put pressure on everybody in fighting for that Test spot.”

Shaw, Taylor and the front-row are joined by winger Shane Williams, centre D’Arcy, scrum-half Matt Dawson and fly-half Stephen Jones in making their first starts on tour.

Josh Lewsey, man of the match against the Bay of Plenty, starts at full-back flanked by Welsh wingers Williams and Tom Shanklin.

Irish duo Shane Byrne and Shane Horgan are on the bench, while Ronan O’Gara backs up Jones, whose selection ahead of Jonny Wilkinson was little surprise.