Brian O'Driscoll will sit out the all-important third Test © Getty Images

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News: McBride slams decision to axe O'Driscoll

So Brian O'Driscoll looks to have played his final match for the British & Irish Lions. He has been omitted from the matchday squad for the series-deciding Test against the Wallabies and he will be forced to watch on from the stands while 23 men selected by coach Warren Gatland look to secure their place in history.

It is a controversial decision to omit O'Driscoll, someone who has never been dropped before, and the team selection provoked a fair number of views on Twitter. Here ESPNscrum looks at some of the views from the players, coaches and the press.

Obviously totally gutted at being left out for deciding Test but all efforts go into preparing the boys to see it through. #seaofred

— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) July 3, 2013

Views from players and coaches

Lions team info. Sorry but you have just handed to series to Australia. 7 chances and still no real match winner

— David Campese (@Davidcampese11) July 3, 2013

No sentiment from Gatland there. Picked a side he thinks can win playing to his style and game plan. Coach at belligerent best or crazy?

— Laurie Fisher (@LordLaurie58) July 3, 2013

Well done WG, bold and brave selection that was required to beat this improving Aussie team

— Jeremy Guscott (@JeremyGuscott) July 3, 2013

Gee dropping @BrianODriscoll out of the team is a huge call.. For mine, he has been the stand out unsung hero this series.. Defensively huge

— Matt Giteau (@giteau_rugby) July 3, 2013

Looks a great lions team and bench. Looks like it's going to be a physical 1!!!!

— Stephen Thompson (@Tommo33s) July 3, 2013

Powerful and bold selections from Gatland. Pack needed more 'Physicality' and Ball carriers. Big hand to the Lions medics on their work!!

— Lawrence Dallaglio (@dallaglio8) July 3, 2013

Very interesting but strong team for final test! Brave to leave out BOD but Gats has got it right. Last throw of the dice #lions2013

— RobJones9 (@RobNJones9) July 3, 2013

You cannot accuse WG of not being brave in his selection, to be fair BOD was well below par last week and I am not surprised he is left out

— Jon Sleightholme (@JonSleightholme) July 3, 2013

Lions drop a World Class player in Brian O'Driscoll and the Wallabies bring one back in George Smith!!

— Bernard Jackman (@bernardjackman) July 3, 2013

Can't help thinking that the Lions selection will knock the confidence of the squad while the Wallabies inclusions will only inspire them.

— Olly Barkley (@ollybarkley) July 3, 2013

Views from the press box

This isn't how it was supposed to end for the great Brian O'Driscoll. No fairy tale final test for Lions after being overlooked this week

— Greg Clark (@greg_clarkie) July 3, 2013

Still struggling to find someone (apart from Warren G) who thinks dropping BOD is a grand idea. May take a while... #lions

— robert kitson (@robkitson) July 3, 2013

Whatever Gatland does, he doesn't do romance. No BOD. Guide me oh thy great Welsh gambler.

— Rupert Bates (@rupertbates) July 3, 2013

Absolutely staggered by omission of Gray or Evans from lock alongside AWJ otherwise Test team as I suggested in last Sunday's Sun Times.

— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) July 3, 2013

Bod dropped after having his own game stifled by a coach who has gone back to players we know can't beat Wales. Outrageous decisio/selection

— Conor George (@conoreligeorge) July 3, 2013

I actually think this is the best-looking Lions team they have played all tour, should be no discounting them this Saturday #LionsvWallabies

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) July 3, 2013

No Drico. Biggest selection call in recent Lions history.

— Mick Cleary (@MickClearyTel) July 3, 2013