British and Irish Lions keep it in the family with coach Andy Farrell making a bombshell call

Lions’ coach Andy Farrell has made a bombshell call as an injury replacement ahead of the team’s tour match against the NSW Waratahs.

Backline great Owen Farrell will be sensationally flown into British and Irish Lions camp by his dad and coach Andy after England fullback Elliott Daly broke his arm against the Reds on Wednesday night.

Daly was forced off in the second half of his team’s 52-12 win, and will miss the rest of the tour.

England star Marcus Smith – who plays most of his rugby at fly half – shapes as a likely fullback replacement, meaning the Lions need cover at 10.

Enter three-time Lions tourist Farrell, who was left out of the initial squad.

Farrell was an analyst for Sky Sports when the Lions began their campaign just weeks ago against Argentina in Dublin. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Elliot Daly has gone down injured for the British & Irish Lions. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

In fact, Farrell retired from Test match rugby 18 months ago, and after battling with injury, hasn’t played international football since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

After making his first Lions appearance in Australia in 2013, Farrell now has 18 matches to his name and will join the side this weekend.

“It is heartbreaking for the group that Elliott’s tour is over,” Andy Farrell said. “He is a Lions legend who has added so much to the group on and off the field over the past few weeks and over the course of three tours.

“Owen will now come in and add to our options and bring his own Lions experience to the group.”

Owen Farrell talks to his father, Andy Farrell, as head coach of Ireland after a match against England. Picture: Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Farrell named Ireland forward Tadhg Beirne to captain the Lions against the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, with inspirational skipper Maro Itoje having the night off following the Reds victory.

Rising backrow sensation Henry Pollock will start at blindside flanker, forming a dangerous combination with Ireland star Josh van der Flier at open side and England’s Ben Earl at No. 8.

English pairing Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith start at halfback and fly half, while Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones line up in the centres.

Former Brumbies flyer Mack Hansen plays his second game for the Lions on the wing, joining debutants fullback Hugo Keenan and winger Blair Kinghorn in the back three.

Rampaging prop Ellis Genge starts on a formidable replacements bench, including Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong and Joe McCarthy.

Man of the match against the Reds, Welsh backrower Jac Morgan starts on the bench as he makes his case for a spot in the Lions side for the first Test against the Wallabies next weekend, with Ben White and Marcus Smith also coming on as replacements.

“Congratulations to Tadhg who will lead the side on Saturday night – and also to Blair, Hugo and Ben (Earl) who will all make their Lions debuts,” Farrell said. “The games are coming thick and fast now as we face a Waratahs side who will want to make their mark.”

Originally published as British and Irish Lions keep it in the family with coach Andy Farrell making a bombshell call