Haters must get a grip, Owen Farrell adds to party — and my Test team

Times

a day ago

Even though he was not even on the bench on Saturday, Owen Farrell brought out one of the loudest crowd reactions when he was picked out on the giant screens, now wearing his new British & Irish Lions kit. Perhaps unusually for him, he reacted with a broad beam until the camera moved on.
We can get straight down to it with a verdict on the choice of Farrell as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daly, who was arguably the best Lion in the early games. The choice of Owen Farrell made by Andy Farrell — and his colleagues — is one of the bravest selections in the history of the Lions.
For some reason, any reference to Farrell Jr is quickly enveloped in a fit of rage across social media and in the clubhouses of the nation. The reaction to him was sent up on Saturday by Will Stuart, who was seated behind him and accompanied the shot of the fly half with some comedy booing. Frankly, the reaction to Farrell Jr, whether he has been completely innocent, whether he has brought off the odd high tackle, and even when he is just going about his business, is a shocking blight on rugby and almost demolishes on its own the sport's reputation as a warm and friendly one.
We can come to the reasoning behind his arrival shortly, and it is a cast-iron decision. But before then, the reaction. When Andy Farrell appeared at a briefing to account for his choice, I had a question for him. Bearing in mind the bile-laden reactions to Owen whenever his name seems to be mentioned, did he have any reservations when the decision was made that his son would be the replacement — did he think it might not be worth all the hassle?
He did not answer the question directly, but he was far more convincing when explaining. The background is that the Lions win only very occasionally, that they keep on returning home in defeat, wishing they had done something different. Every single measure must be taken, or otherwise tours are usually doomed by a number of factors.
My reading of the situation is that Finn Russell has come out clearly as the key Lion. If anything should befall the great Scot then the Lions are in trouble — because Fin Smith has not been quite at his best here, and Marcus Smith, the other nominated fly half, is simply not a contender at Test level. Farrell is a cool, calculating and definitive controller, and is here not as a replacement for Daly, but as a failsafe at the heart of the team. He will not play in Canberra on Wednesday, but may well appear next Saturday.
People say that he has not played for ages. So does anyone think that his state of body and mind has not been rigorously checked by the Lions through consultation with Saracens? The truth, however inconvenient it is for the haters, is that Farrell adds to the touring party — just as a similar being, Johnny Sexton, adds his own gravel and bite on the coaching staff.
The idea that a Lions tour is an opportunity for Buggins' turn, or to blood young and deserving players, is total garbage. This is the top of the game and demands proven hard men, in body and mind.
On Saturday, the identity of the Test team became more clear simply because a good few of Saturday's side have played themselves out, or at least played themselves to the fringes.
Hugo Keenan is short of rugby, and short of form; Elliot Daly is back at home. Blair Kinghorn, fresh and firing, is now ahead for me in the Test stakes.
There are players in good form here. Tommy Freeman belies his youth with some sharp play, and Duhan van der Merwe has his moments with the ball in hand. But Farrell could well retain his two Irish wings, Mack Hansen and James Lowe — the latter needs to approach his best.
Huw Jones entered the race in a big way on Saturday, he is a beautiful player and finished well to score two tries. He seemed to make a natural partnership with Sione Tuipulotu, which probably edges him ahead of the more limited Bundee Aki. Garry Ringrose, however, will fight them all the way.
Russell is unchallenged, and if the Lions were playing at one of their other touring venues where mayhem is guaranteed, then someone would seek to put him out of the game. An absolutely key Lion.
Ben White is newly arrived, Alex Mitchell has played bravely, but Jamison Gibson-Park is ahead by a considerable margin, his sharp wits alone are worth gold to the touring team.
There are three loose-heads in Ellis Genge, Pierre Schoeman and Andrew Porter, who could thrive in a Test match, and it is incredibly close between them. Porter may be possibly favoured, but Genge is right in there. On the other side of the scrum, Will Stuart has not quite launched a crusade, so prayers will be said for the increasing fitness of the great Tadhg Furlong.
A guaranteed area, surely. Maro Itoje and the hulking Joe McCarthy are nailed on, and have a shot at developing into one of the great Lions partnerships.
All is not well with the outstanding Tadhg Beirne. He was not at his sharpest in any way on Saturday, perhaps showing the effects of an endless season. Ollie Chessum has been impressive and can switch to blind side and give the team a major lineout option. On the open side, Tom Curry has looked just a little short of a gallop, possibly slowed by a succession of injuries. The praise doled out by Andy Farrell to Jac Morgan on this tour suggests that he could be chosen ahead of Josh van der Flier.
Not a strong position. It seems that Jack Conan must be the starter, even though he lacks the size, pace and presence of a great Test No8. Suggestions that Henry Pollock could be chosen are surely wider than wide of the mark.