George North set to be AXED and replaced by Elliot Daly for Lions showdown against New Zealand

WARREN GATLAND is set to axe George North and play Elliot Daly on the wing against the All Blacks.

The Lions coach faces his biggest decision since dropping Brian O’Driscoll in 2013 when he names his First Test side tonight.

Wales star North was a hot pre-tour favourite to start against New Zealand but has failed to shine.

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And Gatland admitted: “The selection meeting will be tough — and that’s the way we want it.

“Guys put up their hands up against the Chiefs and hands up against the Chiefs and I am sure there will be some lively debate among all the coaches.

“We have got better the longer we have been in New Zealand. Combinations have come together — as we said they would.”

Daly, 24, was outstanding until he was replaced after just an hour in Hamilton. Asked if the Wasps centre’s early substitution indicated he had done enough to earn a Test start on Saturday, Gatland added: “Possibly.”

Daly gatecrashed the Lions trip after England boss Eddie Jones switched him to the wing last year.

He admitted: “It would be amazing to play against the All Blacks.

“At the start of the year, I didn’t think I had a chance. But whoever is selected, we will all get behind them.”