British & Irish Lions

  1. I could see Farrell on bench this Test series - Care

    Owen FarrellGetty Images

    Owen Farrell is the only current British and Irish Lions player to feature on four tours

    The British and Irish Lions selecting Owen Farrell on the bench for the Test series against Australia, which starts on Saturday in Brisbane, is something former England scrum-half Danny Care could see happening.

    Farrell, 33, played the final 30 minutes of the Lions' comfortable 48-0 win over the AUNZ Invitational XV on Saturday to mark his first appearance on tour.

    Playing in his first game since 4 May, the former England captain showed some nice touches and proved his fitness before the Test series.

    "Quietly I thought Owen Farrell came on and just did Owen Farrell things," Care told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.

    "He was a calming presence and his passing game is up there with the best in the world.

    "Smart kicks in behind and you could hear his energy with his voice, you could hear it through the TV screen.

    "It would be a big shout to have Farrell in the Test 23."

    Care still feels Marcus Smith's ability to play fly-half and full-back edges him ahead for a first-Test bench spot over Farrell.

    "I don't see it happening in the first Test but I can see him getting into the Test squad," Care, a long-time half-back partner of Farrell for England, said.

    "He covers many positions - 10 and 12 - he would be a great person to have on that bench with some back three cover and a scrum-half.

    "I could see it happening."

    Owen FarrellGetty Images

    Farrell is known for being a vocal leader on the pitch

    Lions head coach Andy Farrell opted against selecting his son in the initial squad but called him up when utility back Elliot Daly left the tour through injury.

    Despite not covering Daly's outside back positions Farrell, who plays at fly-half and inside centre, was brought into the squad despite struggling for form and fitness last season at Racing 92.

    With Farrell not having played international rugby in nearly two years, Marcus Smith or Fin Smith could still earn a first-Test bench spot ahead of him, with Finn Russell in pole position to wear the number 10 shirt.

    The Lions then play against a First Nations and Pasifika XV on 22 July, before the second Test in Melbourne on 26 July.

    Former England wing Chris Ashton believes that final midweek game could propel Farrell into Test contention.

    "He will start at fly-half or inside centre [against First Nations and Pasifika XV] as the lads would be involved in the first Test," Ashton added.

    "That is the real chance for Owen to show himself properly. That 30 minutes on Saturday against poor opposition wasn't enough.

    "He looked really relieved to be out there and happy as he would have been dying just to be on the pitch and put behind him all press and noise out of the way.

    "He had a couple of nice touches. He'll be happy to keep everything moving along."

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  2. Henry Pollock dives to score a try

  3. Prop Clarkson joins Lions as front row cover

    Tom Clarkson carries the ballGetty Images

    Tom Clarkson scored in Ireland's emphatic win over Portugal on Saturday

    Ireland and Leinster tight-head prop Tom Clarkson will join the British and Irish Lions squad to provide additional front row cover before the first Test against Australia on Saturday.

    The 25-year-old was given his Ireland debut by Andy Farrell, the Lions head coach, in November and has gone on to win eight caps.

    England hooker Jamie George was called up by the Lions on Saturday, with Luke Cowan-Dickie a doubt for the first Test in Brisbane after suffering a suspected concussion in Saturday's big win against the AUNZ Invitational XV.

    Ireland's leading tight-head props Tadhg Furlong and Finlay Bealham are already in Australia, with Clarkson linking up after starting Ireland's 106-7 win over Portugal on Saturday to bring the Irish contingent in the squad up to 18 players.

    Clarkson has benefited from Furlong's injury troubles this season at both club and international level.

    His Leinster and Ireland team-mate Jamie Osborne, who is comfortable at centre and full-back, has arrived in Brisbane after being called up earlier in the week as training cover for Blair Kinghorn.

    The 23-year-old utility back was due to start against Portugal but was pulled out of the game after being called up by the Lions.

  4. Jamie George

  5. Huw Jones runs with the ball

  6. Owen Farrell looks sharp on Lions return

    Owen Farrell makes ordersGetty Images

    Owen Farrell made his first appearance on the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia, playing the final 30 minutes against the AUNZ Invitational XV.

    The 33-year-old had not played since 4 May but showed some sharp touches on his return.

    Farrell, who is on his fourth Lions tour, came on at inside centre in place of Huw Jones, with Sione Tuipulotu shifting to outside centre.

    Replacement fly-half Marcus Smith took over the place-kicking duties, despite Farrell being on the pitch.

    With his first touch in attack, the 112-cap former England captain linked sharply with Henry Pollock to unleash the 20-year-old down the wing.

    Farrell also nudged a grubber kick through to set Pollock up for a try.

    "Owen did OK, yeah?" said Lions head coach Andy Farrell.

    High praise for his son...

    Owen Farrell kicks the ball through the AUNZ defenceGetty Images
    Henry Pollock and Owen FarrellGetty Images
    Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith make a tackleGetty Images
    Owen Farrell laughs with Bundee AkiGetty Images
    Owen FarrellGetty Images

  7. Hugo Keenan

  8. In pictures: British and Irish Lions cruise to big win over AUNZ Invitational XV

    The British and Irish Lions thrashed the AUNZ Invitational XV in their last game before the first Test against the Wallabies, pwering to a 48-0 win featuring eight tries at the Adelaide Oval.

    Here's the story of the match in pictures.

    Duhan van der Merwe Getty Images

    Duhan van der Merwe ran in a hat-trick, with two tries before half-time and this effort after 63 minutes.

    Luke Cowan-Dickie receives treatmentGetty Images

    One worrying development was hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie being carried off in the first half after being hit by an opponent's knee in an attempted tackle. Cowan-Dickie was able to join his team-mates pitchside after the match, but the Lions later called up England hooker Jamie George to join the squad as cover.

    Henry Pollock scores a tryGetty Images

    Flanker Henry Pollock scored his first try of the tour at the end of a typically all-action performance, somehow grounding the ball before Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.

    Owen FarrellGetty Images

    Owen Farrell appeared off the replacements' bench in the second half, making his tour debut at inside centre.

    Hugo KeenanGetty Images

    Hugo Keenan may have played his way into the Lions' Test starting XV after an excellent display at full-back.

  9. Earl: Great to have Farrell around again

    Owen FarrellGetty Images

    Owen Farrell is on his fourth Lions tour

    Lions number eight Ben Earl was delighted to see former England captain Owen Farrell back in the red shirt.

    Farrell came on in the second half of the Lions' 48-0 victory over the AUNZ Invitational XV.

    "It was like being back at home, hearing him shout next to me," said Earl about his Saracens team-mate.

    "It is amazing to have him back at club and international level, it is so exciting to see what he can do for the group."

    Earl was named man of the match after another lung-bursting display as he sought to press his claims for a Test place.

    "It wasn't easy but the scoreline probably reflects how well we played," he added. "We are really pleased with what we put out there, we didn't have much training so some of the ruthlessness we want to be known for we showed today.

    "We have been known for coughing up opportunities in the 22, I'd like to know our conversion rate but I think it was pretty high.

    "You can see to a man how much the shirt means to everyone."

  10. Match stats

    Sione TuipulotuGetty Images

    Sione Tuipulotu scored the Lions' first try of the second half

    The Lions ran in eight tries in a comfortable win at the Adelaide Oval.

    In a disciplined performance, Andy Farrell's side barely gave their opponents a chance and will be delighted with a shut-out, and a few individual displays that give Farrell and his team something to ponder for the first Test.

    FT: AUNZ Invitational 0-48 Lions

    Possession: AUNZ 50% - Lions 50%

    Carries: AUNZ 124 - Lions 119

    Line breaks: AUNZ 3 - Lions 10

    Turnovers won: AUNZ 5 - Lions 9

    Penalties conceded: AUNZ 13 - Lions 6

    Tackle completion: AUNZ 71% - Lions 85%

  11. Duhan van der Merwe scores for the Lions

  12. Hugo Keenan, Owen Farrell and Jac Morgan

  13. Ben Earl

  14. Bad Bunny tops Pollock's pops

    Henry Pollock and Bad BunnyGetty Images

    Henry Pollock's 'top artist' is Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny

    Lions back row Henry Pollock has revealed his pre-match playlist in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

    He has Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican magastar rapper, in his ears in the dressing room.

    "We have a family home in Menorca so when we have been there you always hear it in the bars and nightclubs," Pollock said.

    "I picked it up there and enjoyed it and the Spanish speaking."

    His pre-match breakfast is a bowl of porridge and he says he is surprised that his black head tape has become something of a calling card.

    "I used to wear head tape under my scrum hat, and then my scrum hat used to always fall off, and so I ended up just wearing the head tape," he added.

    "It is kind of mad it has become a big thing. When I rock up at Saints, and all the kids have got black head tape on. It is cool I guess."

  15. Henry Pollock playing for the Lions

  16. Farrell is an 'insurance policy' for Russell - Barclay

    Finn Russell and Owen FarrellGetty Images

    Finn Russell and Owen Farrell are on their third British and Irish Lions tour together

    Owen Farrell's selection for the British and Irish Lions is as an "insurance policy" in case Finn Russell gets injured, says former Scotland captain John Barclay.

    In-form Russell looks set to start the first Test at fly-half against Australia next Saturday in Brisbane.

    The back-up to Russell is less clear, with Fin Smith and Marcus Smith battling for a spot on the bench.

    Farrell, who can play fly-half or inside centre, is likely to enter the selection mix on Saturday after being named as a replacement against the AUNZ Invitational side.

    The 33-year-old, who has not played since 4 May, is on his fourth Lions tour after being called up to replace injured utility back Elliot Daly.

    "Owen Farrell has shown that he is that man for the big occasion," Barclay told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly.

    "Marcus Smith has not had much game time at 10, so they might not consider him to play a Test at fly-half.

    "Fin Smith has been good but has only 11 England caps. If Russell goes down and is out of the series before a ball has been kicked, are you putting Fin Smith in to start?

    "That's how I read Farrell being over there. He is there as an insurance policy."

  17. Lions series 'bigger than the World Cup' - O'Connor

    Lauren Jenkins
    BBC Sport in Australia

    James O'Connor and Owen Farrell in November 2021Getty Images

    The return of the experienced fly-half is fast becoming a theme on this Lions tour. Just over a week since Owen Farrell's call-up, veteran fly-half James O'Connor's was included in Joe Schmidt's Wallabies squad for the first time in three years.

    ''I guess we were both over here in 2013,'' said O'Connor referring to Farrell and the last Lions tour to Australia. ''But he has done far more in the game than I have so I wouldn't make too many comparisons.''

    O'Connor hasn't done too badly. Returning to Australia as a Super Rugby Pacific winner with the Crusaders, he could now become one of only four players to face the Lions twice for his country. He played fly-half in all three Tests of the 2013 series and admits he has plenty of experience to add.

    ''I know how big of an occasion it is, it's massive." he said. "It's bigger than a World Cup. I was not aware of it back then and it's not something these guys have been a part of. You get one shot at it usually.''

    The door opened for O'Connor following first choice fly-half Noah Lolesio's injury against Fiji.

    Head coach Joe Schmidt is clear in what he's asking of the 35-year-old.

    ''A calm voice. A voice of experience," he said. "The volume of noise, the microscope you're under, everything is ramped up in a Lions tour, the pressure you feel.

    "So to be able relieve that pressure valve will be useful for us or, if it's needed, to ramp the boys up a little bit.''

  18. Rugby Union Weekly: Farrell on bench and Osborne in

    Owen Farrell lines up a kickGetty Images

    What can we expect from Owen Farrell this Saturday against the AUNZ Invitational side?

    Will he play at fly-half or inside centre when he comes off the bench?

    Ugo Monye, a British and Irish Lions tourist in 2009, and former Scotland captain John Barclay discuss Andy Farrell's final team selection before the first Test in Brisbane next Saturday.

    They also discuss Ireland's Jamie Osborne, who will be joining the squad as "training cover" for Blair Kinghorn.

    Listen to the latest episode of Rugby Union Weekly.

  19. James O'Connor

  20. Ben White and Finn Russell of Scotland

  21. Jamie Osborne

  22. Andy Farrell and Matt Sherratt

  23. Owen Farrell

  24. 'The Wallabies are on everyone's minds' - Sheehan

    Dan Sheehan running with the ballGetty Images

    Sheehan made 44 metres from eight carries against the Brumbies

    British and Irish Lions hooker Dan Sheehan has admitted that "the Wallabies are on everyone's minds" but made clear the next tour game on Saturday needs to be the main focus.

    The Lions defeated ACT Brumbies 36-24 in Canberra to record their fourth straight win on Australian soil.

    However, they conceded four tries and now face a combined Australia and New Zealand side in Adelaide in their final warm-up game on Saturday.

    "We showed when our attack clicks properly then we have the ability to really hurt teams," Sheehan told BBC Sport.

    "I think we need another game to improve, everyone is looking forward to it. The Wallabies are on everyone's minds, but we need to keep our mind on Saturday.

    "Everyone has got a good run and good minutes, it has been a fair rotation so far, everyone has to be ready, there is great buy-in and no-one has a fixed idea of where they are."

    Sheehan started alongside England's Ellis Genge and Leinster team-mate Tadhg Furlong, which looks likely to be the starting front row against Australia in the first Test on 19 July in Brisbane.

    The trio also all came on together in Saturday's 21-10 win over New South Wales Waratahs.

    "It [that combination] has been good," the Leinster hooker added.

    "We came off the bench last week, it was my first time playing with Genge. The energy he brings is brilliant and it marries up well."