Blair Kinghorn set to make his British and Irish Lions debut against NSW Waratahs

Preparing for their third match in Australia, the British and Irish Lions will unleash a Scot who could hold the key to success against the Wallabies.

Blair Kinghorn suits up at left wing for the Lions tonight in Sydney against the NSW Waratahs, ready to make his mark on the tour.

The Scottish star arrived in Australia on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after helping his French club Toulouse win the Top 14 final.

Kinghorn played all 100 minutes of the final in Paris, which went to extra time as Toulouse triumphed 39-33 over Union Bordeaux Bègles.

Now he plays his first match for the Lions, and he has the opportunity to play more.

With 60 Tests for Scotland under his belt, Kinghorn is well equipped for high-pressure moments in rugby.

But it is his experience at Toulouse that could force him into the starting team for the first Test against the Wallabies on July 19.

Toulouse have been crowned champions of France for the past three seasons, and five of the past six.

The team boasts some of the finest players in world rugby.

Even Kinghorn, who has cemented himself as Scotland’s Test fullback, plays on the wing as the number 15 jumper is often filled by Frenchman Thomas Ramos.

“At Toulouse, the squad is so deep and so talented that you’ve got to be on top of your game,” Kinghorn said earlier this week.

“You’ve got to come into training every day and try hard and work hard.

“Coaches are on your back the whole time, which is great.

“It’s high pressure, but it kind of makes you thrive, having great players around you.”

In a Lions squad, no player is there to make up the numbers.

On merit alone, all 38 squad members could be part of the 23-man team for the first Test.

The competition for your spot in the Test team makes tour matches, like tonight’s match against the Waratahs, vital for any Lion. It is their chance to impress coach Andy Farrell and the rest of the coaching staff.

“Everyone’s here to do their best and to win the Test series and have a successful tour,” Kinghorn said.

“So every training session is going to be competitive. Everyone’s motivated.

“That’s what you want, that brings the best out of people.”

Listed at 193cm tall and 105kg, in any other era Kinghorn would be a prized backrow forward.

But his speed, ball handling and natural rugby instincts make him one of the finest attacking weapons in the world.

Even better for Farrell, Kinghorn can play fullback, fly-half and on both wings.

This versatility makes Kinghorn a prized asset in the squad, especially in the wake of Elliot Daly’s tour-ending injury against the Queensland Reds on Wednesday.

Not only can Kinghorn play in multiple positions, the Scot says he doesn’t care what number he has on his back.

“Anywhere on the park is fine,” he told media after being asked what his preferred position is.

“Internationally, I’ve played the majority of my rugby at fullback, so I still say that’s probably my best position.”

On Saturday, Kinghorn will line up on the left wing, with Irishman Hugo Keenan wearing the number 15.

Keenan was supposed to be the Lions’ starting fullback against the Reds, but pulled out due to illness. 

Daly moved into the starting side, but fractured his left arm while attempting to tackle Queensland captain Joc Campbell in the second half.