Who were the Lions players Andy Farrell leaned on most?
Farrell nodded to Tadhg Beirne beside him as he answered.
'I think you ask the player here,' said Farrell. 'Some were saying he shouldn't have played in the first Test, and then he gets player of the series.
'He seemed fresh enough to me. That's what the shirt does for you.
'In regards to the minutes played, I suppose everyone is always looking at that kind of scenario. I'm sure World Rugby are going to be all over that.'
The next question to Farrell was about whether he, as Ireland's head coach, will be making sure that the Irish players who were involved in this tour will be getting plenty of rest in the months ahead.
'We look after our boys pretty well,' said Farrell, 'and rightly so.'
Irish rugby is well-known for the effective management of its players. The top players appreciate this and it's one of the reasons they tend not to move abroad.
There's no doubt that most of the Irish Lions will be very lightly raced in the early stages of the 2025/26 season. We're unlikely to see much of them before Ireland launch into a four-game autumn campaign that starts with a trip to Chicago to face the All Blacks on 2 November.
Dan Sheehan featured prominently for the Lions. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Leinster had 14 players involved in the Lions tour, Connacht had three of their biggest stars on tour, and Munster captain Beirne played more minutes than anyone during the Lions' campaign.
Beirne played a whopping 507 minutes of a possible 800, with Tommy Freeman [428], Maro Itoje [420], Finn Russell [419], and Jack Conan [414] the only others to go beyond the 400-minute mark.
So how did the Irish players' workloads compare to other Lions in their positions?
One thing to note is that Leinster, Bath, and Leicester players weren't involved in the opening defeat against Argentina – Rónan Kelleher aside – given that their clubs played in the URC and Premiership finals the weekend before.
Each player's involvements are listed as minutes / appearances
Hooker
Dan Sheehan – 348 / 6
Rónan Kelleher – 209 / 8
Luke Cowan-Dickie – 165 / 4
Jamie George – 74 / 1
Ewan Ashman – 6 / 1
Ireland hooker Sheehan started all three of the Tests, with Kelleher coming off the bench in all three. Kelleher's main role was as a replacement hooker, with just one start for the Lions during this campaign.
England's Cowan-Dickie suffered a head injury in the final pre-Tests warm-up game against the AUNZ XZ and didn't feature again, with Jamie George and Ewan Ashman called in as cover.
Advertisement
Loosehead prop
Ellis Genge - 278 /7
Pierre Schoeman - 274 / 5
Andrew Porter - 242 / 7
Rory Sutherland – 6 /1
Ireland loosehead Andrew Porter. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland's Porter and England's Genge fairly evenly split the workload in the three Tests, having clearly earned status as the frontline loosehead duo.
Scotland's Pierre Schoeman was heavily used in the non-Test games, while his compatriot Rory Sutherland briefly joined the squad for the final midweek game against the First Nations & Pasifika XV.
Tighthead prop
Tadhg Furlong - 328 / 7
Finlay Bealham – 223 / 5
Will Stuart – 221 / 7
Thomas Clarkson - 29 / 1
Remarkably, Ireland tighthead Furlong played nearly as many minutes in this Lions campaign as he did across the course of the entire season with Leinster and Ireland.
Due to his hamstring and calf troubles, Furlong managed just 373 minutes this season for province and country, but he put those issues behind him to rack up 328 minutes for the Lions.
Fellow Irishman Bealham wasn't involved in the Tests but had a busy time during the warm-up games, while England's Stuart backed Furlong up in all three Tests and Ireland's Clarkson made one midweek appearance after being drafted in as cover.
Second row
Maro Itoje - 420 / 6
Ollie Chessum – 313 / 6
James Ryan - 264 / 6
Scott Cummings - 239 / 5
Joe McCarthy - 209 / 4
Gregor Brown - 26 / 1
Itoje would likely have played every minute of the three Tests but for his first-half head injury last weekend. He was missed by the Lions after departing.
James Ryan worked his way back from injury to feature in the Tests. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland's McCarthy would also have had a much higher tally of minutes but for his foot injury in the opening Test, which he started.
McCarthy's injury opened the door for Chessum to feature more prominently, while Ireland's Ryan recovered from injury to rack up the minutes later in the tour before he too was injured in the final Test.
Scotland's Scott Cummings didn't make a Test appearance, while Brown had a short stint with the squad for the FNP XV game.
Back row
Tadhg Beirne - 507 / 7
Jack Conan – 414 / 6
Tom Curry - 392 / 6
Jac Morgan – 342 / 7
Ben Earl - 304 / 7
Henry Pollock – 285 / 5
Josh van der Flier – 268 / 5
Having already had a relatively hefty workload with Munster and Ireland this season, the relentless Beirne played more minutes than any other Lions player across this 2025 campaign. He featured in the second row before playing at blindside in the Tests.
Beirne and Hugo Keenan were the only two players to play every minute of the three Wallabies Tests.
Having been the clear Test favourite at number eight, Ireland's Conan was always likely to have a busy tour, while England's Curry started all three clashes with the Wallabies too.
Jac Morgan featured prominently across the warm-up games and forced his way into the Test 23, but Ireland's van der Flier would have been hoping for a busier tour. Like England's Pollock, van der Flier didn't feature in the Tests.
Scrum-half
Jamison Gibson-Park - 347 / 5
Alex Mitchell - 211 / 8
Ben White - 169 / 3
Tomos Williams - 79 / 2
Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland's Gibson-Park is another player who was always going to be important to Farrell's Test plans and he played all but 15 minutes of the three games against the Wallabies.
England's Mitchell was involved in all 10 matchday squads but didn't come off the bench in two games, something Farrell admitted he was a bit disappointed about, given the possible achievement of playing in every fixture.
Williams of Wales was unfortunate to get injured two games into the campaign, with Scotland's White impressing after replacing him.
Out-half
Finn Russell - 419 / 6
Fin Smith – 291 / 5
Marcus Smith - 225 / 7
Scotland's Russell was a crucial figure in the Lions' series success and completed the full game in both the second and third Tests, coming off in the first with cramp. The Bath out-half will surely need a good rest after a heavy season.
With Owen Farrell arriving during the tour to provide 10/12 cover, Marcus Smith only got one Test appearance off the bench while also playing at fullback on several occasions.
Meanwhile, England's Fin Smith didn't get a Test look-in but featured extensively during the warm-up matches.
Centre
Huw Jones – 455 / 7
Bundee Aki – 388 / 6
Sione Tuipulotu – 378 / 5
Garry Ringrose - 213 / 4
Owen Farrell - 172 / 4
Ireland's Ringrose would have been higher up this list but for concussion ruling him out of all three Tests.
Ringrose was very unlucky on tour. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO
In his stead, Scotland's Jones started the three Tests at outside centre, moving to the wing during the third Wallabies clash.
Ireland's Aki featured in the three Tests too, coming off the bench in the first before taking Tuipulotu's place at inside centre for the second and third. England's Farrell came in as an injury replacement for Elliot Daly and played off the bench in two Tests.
Back three
Tommy Freeman - 428 / 6
Hugo Keenan - 365 / 5
Duhan van der Merwe - 329 / 5
Blair Kinghorn - 284 / 5
James Lowe - 284 / 4
Mack Hansen - 277 / 5
Elliot Daly - 166 / 3
Jamie Osborne - 80 / 1
Darcy Graham - 16 / 1
When Ireland's Keenan finally got up and running after injury and illness, he quickly became the big influence Farrell would have expected. Keenan and Beirne were the only two players to start and finish all three Tests.
England's Freeman also started the three Wallabies clashes and while Scotland's van der Merwe didn't feature in the Tests, he was busy during the wider campaign.
Kinghorn was the late arrival on tour after the Top 14 final and then he was injured, but he ended with a Test start, replacing Lowe in the starting XV after the Ireland wing started the first two.
Hansen was unlucky to be injured for the Tests and England's Daly was forced home early after starting strongly. Osborne joined while Kinghorn was sidelined and stayed on tour, while Graham joined briefly and was injured after an early debut try.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
29 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Howd'yadoit proves a pleasant surprise for Ger Lyons in Naas feature
Howd'yadoit left Ger Lyons "gobsmacked", as Colin Keane timed it to perfection in landing the richly-endowed Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas. Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13-2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose. Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards' inquiry into interference. British raider Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O'Brien due to unsuitable ground. Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: "I'm gobsmacked, as I didn't think he'd be good enough. "What an honest horse, he's been doing it well. "We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden. "We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he'd win." He added: "I'm delighted as Sean's (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it's great. "Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy." Meanwhile, Bonus Time made all to land the Ironxcell For Energy Race. The 2-5 shot was sent straight to the head of the field by Keane, with Zuheila racing keenly in behind. "It looked a nice spot for her and I'm very happy how she did it. Colin looked after her and gave her a nice ride." Keane did not have to ask the daughter of Too Darn Hot too many questions, as the Paddy Twomey-trained filly ran out a half-length winner from Kodilicious, who kept on well for second, with the still green Zuheila in third. Twomey said: "Her last run was her first run for us and we tried seven in a handicap. She ran really well and Andy (Oliver)'s horse is a good horse that beat her just at the line. "First time in a handicap carrying 10st and I just thought the last 50 yards looked a long way, so we said we'd come back to six today. "It looked a nice spot for her and I'm very happy how she did it. Colin looked after her and gave her a nice ride. "Colin said she could be dropped in and that she was waiting there in front." The three-year-old is owned by Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbred Limited, and Twomey added: "We'll try to get some black type with her eventually and she might go to the Ebor meeting in York." Mint Man won on turf at the 11th time of asking in the Taste Of Kildare At Naas Racecourse 16th – 17th August Handicap. The Pat Murphy-trained four-year-old launched his challenge two furlongs out and hit the front heading into the final furlong, keeping on well to win by a length and a half. Murphy said of his 8-1 winner: "He was in good form and is not a massive horse so carrying less weight today helped him. "Leigh said he winged the gates and travelled away nicely for him. He hung a bit to the near side but has done it nicely. "I thought he would have won more by now. "We'll see what comes up for him and he could run in the Curragh on Saturday." Keane completed a double on Noli Timere in the LubriSyn HA+ Premium Equine Joint Protection Fillies Maiden. Michael O'Callaghan's filly justified 11-4 favouritism and he said: "She's a lovely filly and has taken a bit of time but is one we have always liked. "We put cheekpieces on today, more to sharpen her up dropping back from a mile and one. "Colin said a mile is her trip and she'll improve for slower ground. That is as quick as she wants it and we'll probably go hunting for a little bit of black type."
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Ireland rugby ace dressed as ‘Fred Flintstone' shocks pub crowd in Mayo with stunning accordion performance at stag do
The Leinster and Ireland star grabbed an accordion on stag night in Westport and belted out tunes in full fancy dress TUNE IN Ireland rugby ace dressed as 'Fred Flintstone' shocks pub crowd in Mayo with stunning accordion performance at stag do RUGBY star Robbie Henshaw had punters seeing double when he took to the accordion at a Mayo pub - dressed as Fred Flintstone. The Leinster and Ireland centre was enjoying a pal's stag do in Westport when he shocked locals with a trad session inside Dohertys bar. 2 The Ireland star donned a Fred Flinstone outfit as he showed his accordion skills in Mayo during a stag do 2 Robbie Henshaw in action for Ireland earlier this year against France in the Six Nations The Irish international, who missed out on the recent Lions tour showed off his well know musical skills on the squeezebox. Footage shared by the pub on Instagram showed Henshaw belting out tunes while his pal sings along. The pub posted the video with a caption that read: 'We were thrilled to welcome Irish Rugby international and Leinster star Robbie Henshaw today — and who better to treat us to a few tunes on the box!' The Kildare native has previously proven himself to be a man of many talents after a surreal appearance on The Late Late Show last year. And when he finished the song, he earned praise from audience members and host Patrick Kielty, after another fine display on the accordion. Despite missing out on a third British and Irish Lions tour, the Athlone man clearly isn't moping as he's hitting all the right notes. Elsewhere, Bundee Aki revealed he missed the birth of his fifth child as he prepared to face Australia in the Lions first Test match. In the lead up to the Lions 27-19 opening Test victory over the Wallabies, there was a new addition to the Aki family. Bundee's wife Kayla was in New Zealand with family when she got in touch to say she was ready to give birth. Ireland's 2024 players' player of the year's fifth child Aine Aki was born in a car on the way to the hospital, the day of her dad's second ever Lions Test appearance. Australia and Lions rugby stars are forced off the pitch mid-game due to threat of lightning He said: "I saw a baby on the video call, so she had it in the car on the way to the hospital." The Connacht centre has credited his wife for taking the whole ordeal in her stride despite the difficulty of it all.
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
St Peter AC Dromiskin's Abbie Sheriden takes her athletics to a whole new level with National title
This is where the top super stars of Irish athletics battle out to become national champions. The event drew massive crowds which is a reflection of the increasing popularity of Irish Athletics. St Peter's AC has enjoyed huge success at juvenile and junior level in recent years but senior athlete Abbie Sheriden took this success to a whole new level when she became National Senior Women's Steeplechase Champion. Abbie was in second place for most of the race keeping the lead athlete, Alexandra Joyce from Tuam AC, in her sights but with two laps to go managed to close the gap. Abbie then attempted to take the lead with 300m to go but Joyce held her off however, Abbie went again with 200m to go and Joyce had no answer and as they approached the last water jump there was only going to be one winner. Abbie's water jumps had been impeccable throughout the race and the last one was no exception powering down the home straight to an emphatic victory shaving 35 seconds of her Personal Best to finish in a time 10.05.72 to become National Senior Champion. This was the first time since 2009 that a St Peter's athlete stood on the top of the National Senior podium when Olivia McDonald won the senior javelin
