British and Irish Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan has said that Brian O'Driscoll would have retained his place for Saturday's deciding Test against Australia if he were picking the team.

McGeechan, who coached the Lions the last time they won a Test series against South Africa in 1997, believes that the Irish centre's "leadership and responsibility" are the reasons to keep him in the side.

"He understands playing under pressure, and captaincy under pressure," he told BBC Sport.

"I would have liked to have seen him playing with Jamie Roberts because they were such a good partnership in 2009."

Roberts will partner fellow Welsh centre Jonathan Davies against the Wallabies in Sydney, with O'Driscoll failing to make the bench.

In the absence of O'Driscoll and flanker Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones will lead the Lions.