Owen Farrell tipped for key role in opening Lions-Wallabies Test as injury crisis engulfs tourists
With the British and Irish Lions suddenly crippled by injury, coach Andy Farrell has turned to a familiar face – with son Owen Farrell set to make a remarkable comeback.
Injuries to key backs is set to see Owen Farrell make a remarkable appearance off the bench for the British & Irish Lions just 12 days after joining the squad coached by his father Andy.
Farrell has not played a Test match since 2023, but is now tipped to be included on the Lions bench for their opening showdown against the Wallabies on Saturday night in Brisbane.
No stranger to breaking Aussie hearts, Farrell played a key role in eliminating the Wallabies from the 2019 World Cup when England defeated them 40-16 in the quarter-final in Oita and he scored 20 points.
The 33-year-old will provide five-eighth and centre coverage, while the Lions are reeling with injuries to outside backs Mack Hansen and Blair Kinghorn that is set to see them miss the game at Suncorp Stadium.
It leaves the likely scenario of the Lions using a starting back three of fullback Hugo Keenan, and wingers James Lowe and Tommy Freeman.
Finn Russell will start at five-eighth, with Farrell offering back-up to him and in the midfield, with Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu battling for the No.12 position to partner Huw Jones in the centres.
Lions assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth confirmed on Wednesday that the coaching staff had held their final selection meeting, although players would not be told until a team meeting on Wednesday.
“It has been done, I believe,” Wigglesworth said of the final selection meeting.
“Nothing has been announced so that’s always subject to change in terms of how they’ve trained and what that’s looked like. That’s why these things are kept back a bit.
“(It was) very conversational as it always has been the whole way through, as it was with the selection process. Willing to be challenged on it, everyone being able to voice an opinion and then we come back to it and back to it again.
“It wasn’t very, ‘this is the team, this is final’. It’s still not been announced so who knows, we could go back and we’re having another one.
“(Players will be informed) at a squad meeting I am sure and they will all find out and we will have the conversations whether you are in or out.”
But with the final selection having been held, and Hansen and Kinghorn unable to train so far, it seems their chances of making the 23-man squad for Saturday are gone.
Hansen, a favourite for one of the starting wing spots, suffered injury against the AUNZ Invitational team last Saturday, while Kinghorn took a knee injury against the Brumbies three days prior.
The Lions have already lost fullback Elliot Daly for the series, while centre Garry Ringrose is under concussion protocol and is not available for this Test.
All the injury chaos brings Farrell right into the mix, despite his retirement from Test rugby after the 2023 World Cup to prioritise his mental health, and then an injury-plagued and uninspired stint with French club Racing 92.
Andy Farrell originally left his son out of the Lions squad, but following the spate of injuries called him in before the Brumbies match in Canberra.
Farrell then made an impressive cameo off the bench last Saturday against the AUNZ team in the Lions’ 48-0 victory.
“He’s done exactly what we knew he was going to do in terms of help and influence, and obviously contribute on the field when that time came up,” Wigglesworth said.
“It’s been great to work with him again, but I was probably more excited for all those who hadn’t worked with him, to be able to experience that. He’s been great, as we knew he would be. Not everyone did, but we knew.
“You all know how good he is, the influence he has, his knowledge and how he helps other people get better.
“He’s always working on getting better and doing that. But he’s the influential Owen that we know and love.”
Add your comment to this story
From City v County to Aussie rugby jersey! Teen’s story inspiring
Last year a teenager made his first NSW country team, played his heart out and is now inspiring other young guns from the bush as a rising star of rugby.
Four try hero, hot boot as Sydney 1st Colts rugby ramps up
Just three rounds remain in Sydney Rugby Union 1st Colts and there is still plenty to play for, including spots in the finals series. Top try scorers, a hot boot and Rd 15 result wrap
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout