With Farrell's injury listed as grade one, many would hope that he should return to the playing field sooner rather than later and be fit for the first test game come 24 June.
Gatland and his coaches are content that Farrell has enough game time and form under his belt at this stage to take a place on the bench, and the Lions boss hinted that we will see him come onto the pitch at inside centre.
LIONS: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales); Anthony Watson (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Beo Te'o (England), George North (Wales); Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray (both Ireland); Mako Vunipola, Jamie George (both England), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Maro Itoje, George Kruis (both England), Peter O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales).
The Lions looked to this match to carry momentum they achieved in last Saturday's 12-3 win over the Crusaders into the week leading up to the first test against New Zealand.
"We have all got to learn from the interpretation of the referee at scrum-time", Gatland said. Sean O'Brien - Leinster, Ireland 8.
Nor is skipper Sam Warburton, with Irish loose forward Peter O'Mahony to captain the side for the first time in their "unofficial fourth Test".
The British and Irish Lions will face a team of warriors "bound by blood" in Rotorua on Saturday, Maori All Blacks star Liam Messam has warned.
With Warburton's position in the Test side now in the balance, Gatland will used the run out against the Maori All Blacks to decide which of Warburton and O'Brien deserves to start next Saturday, but confirmed that part of the reason why he stuck with the Welshman as his squad leader is he is wise enough to know if he hasn't earned the right to start the first Test.
Former AP Chief Secretary who criticised Chandrababu Naidu sacked from post
Prabhakar said as a person holding a position in the government, it was not proper for Rao to criticise the government publicly. Officials, however, said several party leaders and MLAs had complained about Rao to Naidu in the past few months.
"He's well aware of the competition that's there at the moment", Gatland said.
'But this tour isn't about Sam Warburton, it's about putting the squad first.
Jonny Sexton also returned at flyhalf in an all-Irish combination with scrumhalf Connor Murray, while England's Owen Farrell will be on the bench.
Double act: Saracens locks Maro Itoje and George Kruis.
"I want the players to be the best they can be", Cooper said.
Warburton arrived on tour under an injury cloud having not played since April due to a knee injury and only returned to action in the opening match against the Provincial Barbarians, a 13-7 victory.
"We feel Damian will suit the game plan that we want to play, from the number 10 position", Cooper added.
There were fan complaints that the Lions rush defence was often offside, but really it was a case of the Lions recognising what they could and couldn't get away with, something New Zealand teams are often "accused" of.
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