Former England rugby captain Owen Farrell has been officially called up to join the British and Irish Lions for their current tour of Australia. This is a big comeback for him after being away from international rugby for a while.
Farrell replaces Elliot Daly, who sadly fractured his arm during the Lions’ recent win over the Queensland Reds, and has been ruled out for the rest of the tour.
Coach Andy Farrell—who is also Owen’s dad—said it was “heartbreaking” to lose Daly, who has been a huge part of the Lions team across several tours. However, he added that Owen brings in a lot of experience and leadership and will be a valuable addition to the squad.
Why Is Owen Farrell’s Selection a Big Deal?
Owen Farrell, 33, has played 112 times for England, but he stepped away from international rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Most recently, he played for Racing 92 in France, but had a tough time there. He has just returned to Saracens in England.
Owen hasn’t played a match in about nine weeks after suffering a concussion during a match on May 4th. Some fans and experts are surprised by his selection because he hasn’t been playing recently, and others like Blair Murray (Wales) or Tom Jordan (Scotland) have been actively training with their national teams.
Despite this, Andy Farrell confirmed back in May that Owen was already being considered for the Lions, thanks to his vast experience and previous tours in 2013, 2017, and 2021.
Coach Steve Borthwick’s Comment
England head coach Steve Borthwick mentioned that Owen wasn’t considered for England’s current tour to Argentina. The reason? Owen had said he wanted to settle down with his family back in Hertfordshire and just focus on playing club rugby for now.
Still, now that Daly is out, Owen gets the chance to step back onto the international scene once again.
What Does This Mean for the Lions?
Owen Farrell can play both fly-half and inside centre, which could shake up the Lions’ midfield line-up.
Right now:
- Finn Russell is the top choice to start at fly-half.
- Bundee Aki or Sione Tuipulotu are likely to start at inside centre.
- Fin Smith was next in line after Russell, while Marcus Smith was still waiting for a shot at his favorite position (number 10).
With Owen coming in, there’s more competition in the playmaking roles.
Injury Updates & Backline Issues
Coach Farrell said the team still has “plenty of full-back options,” even without Daly. But:
- Blair Kinghorn joined the tour late after helping Toulouse win the Top 14 title.
- Hugo Keenan has been dealing with illness and injury, so hasn’t played yet.
The Lions need strong backup in those positions, especially with a tight match schedule coming up.
Upcoming Matches & Current Squad
The Lions play New South Wales Waratahs this Saturday in Sydney, and then the ACT Brumbies four days later in Canberra.
The first Test match against Australia is on 19 July in Brisbane.
Here’s the Lions starting XV for Saturday’s game:
Lions Starting Line-Up:
- 15 – Hugo Keenan
- 14 – Mack Hansen
- 13 – Huw Jones
- 12 – Sione Tuipulotu
- 11 – Blair Kinghorn
- 10 – Fin Smith
- 9 – Alex Mitchell
- 8 – Ben Earl
- 7 – Josh van der Flier
- 6 – Henry Pollock
- 5 – James Ryan
- 4 – Tadhg Beirne (Captain)
- 3 – Finlay Bealham
- 2 – Luke Cowan-Dickie
- 1 – Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Ellis Genge, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Scott Cummings, Jac Morgan, Ben White, Marcus Smith.
What This Means for Owen Farrell
This is Owen Farrell’s fourth Lions tour, and he’s looking to add to his six Test appearances for the famous team. While some debate his recent form and fitness, no one doubts the leadership and knowledge he brings.
His call-up could be crucial for the Lions, especially with the upcoming tough fixtures. Only time will tell whether this bold decision pays off.
