‘Open-minded' Andy Farrell says Lions Test places still up for grabs
Maro Itoje returns as captain for the Canberra showdown to lead a starting XV full of players considered first choice in their positions, including half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell.
Advertisement
The Brumbies are the strongest of Australia's Super Rugby franchises, having finished third in the table, and the fixture is being treated as a dry run for the series opener against the Wallabies on July 19th.
Our team to face the Brumbies in Canberra! 🦁
#Lions2025
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial)
July 7, 2025
But Farrell insisted his Lions stars still have to earn the jersey after leaving the door open for others to stake their claim, with Saturday's match against an AUNZ Invitational XV the final opportunity to impress.
'The truth of the matter is we have got a good side that's going to take the field on Wednesday and I will tell you what I said to the team,' the head coach said.
'There's always going to be speculation, but it's up to people to put their best foot forward for a Test spot from now on in with regards to the chance they have got on Wednesday and on Saturday.
Advertisement
'Players can play themselves in and players can play themselves out, but we are looking for a cohesive team performance and that is what we are trying to achieve.
'There has to be movement in selection. The nature of the format of these two games allows for us to be open-minded.
'We play on Saturday after this and have four weeks worth of training, so you have to stay open-minded. A closed book is not good for anyone.
'I wouldn't call it a blank slate, you have always got ideas, but you need to leave wriggle room for things to unfold and make a judgement on what you see over the next couple of games.'
Advertisement
Providing X-factor on the bench are back row Henry Pollock and versatile playmaker Marcus Smith in an opportunity for both England stars to prove they are viable options against Australia.
In normal circumstances flanker Tom Curry and prop Tadhg Furlong would be assured of Test places, but they need big games following underwhelming tours so far.
Prop Ellis Genge, flanker Ollie Chessum and full-back Blair Kinghorn must also put their best foot forwards amid fierce competition for places. The likes of Dan Sheehan, Itoje, Gibson-Park, Russell and Jack Conan are nailed-on starters.
After a disappointing performance against the New South Wales Waratahs on Saturday, the Lions are looking to build momentum before heading to Adelaide for their penultimate midweek game.
Advertisement
The Brumbies were the only provincial side to beat the Lions in 2013 and are dangerous opponents.
Team is in for
@lionsofficial
🦁
The Hooper brothers could play together for the first time in a professional capacity.
Prop Cameron Orr has also been drafted in for this game and could also make his Brumbies debut from the bench.
Read more:
https://t.co/qPplU221kJ
pic.twitter.com/t8KQSAwZvZ
— ACT Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby)
July 7, 2025
'There is a real sense of excitement because there's a lot of history that goes with this fixture,' Farrell said.
'The last two occasions we have played the Brumbies there have been four points in it, for and against. We know the challenge ahead and it's something we have been looking forward to.
'I have heard reports of how enthusiastic and good training has been for the Brumbies as you would expect when the Lions are coming to town.'
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
19 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Owen Farrell in line for Lions return after first full training session
Farrell arrived Down Under on Friday as a replacement for broken arm victim Elliot Daly and was present as the Lions stepped up preparations for Wednesday's clash with the ACT Brumbies in Canberra. The 33-year-old is in line to make the first appearance of his fourth Lions tour against an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday. Owen Farrell warms up ahead of a Gallagher Premiership semi-final match in 2024 (Joe Giddens/PA) Head coach Andy Farrell confirmed on Monday that his son is in contention to play in the final fixture before the first Test against Australia on July 19, having completed all his return to play protocols for concussion. His last game was for Racing 92 against Lyon when he suffered a head injury, a further setback in a season that has been interrupted by groin surgery. He played only 17 games in the 2024-25 campaign. 'I wouldn't say he's over the jet lag just yet. I think he was up all night, but haven't we all been through that? But the rest is fine,' Andy Farrell said. Farrell's call-up is controversial given his last Test for England was almost two years ago and his only season at Racing 92 was underwhelming to the point he has agreed an immediate return to Saracens. However, the management regards his experience and leadership as valuable assets, not least because he is the only player in the squad who was present for the last triumphant Lions tour, also to Australia in 2013. Johnny Sexton, the former Ireland fly-half who is the Lions' kicking coach Down Under, insists Farrell has fitted in seamlessly with the tourists. 'As you'd expect with someone with that experience, he's fitted in. He's hit the ground running, so it's great to see,' Sexton said after Tuesday's training session. 'He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he's not missed a beat. 'He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why you pick someone with experience who knows about a Lions tour because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in.'
Daily Mail
42 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Queensland coach Billy Slater reveals how his own family tragedy prepared him to help Origin star through the loss of his father
If there's anyone who understands what Cameron Munster has gone through in the lead-up to the State of Origin decider, it's Queensland coach Billy Slater. Slater knew there was nothing he could say to make everything better when he sat with Munster in his room at Queensland camp on Sunday, the day the new Maroons captain learned of his father Steven's sudden death. Munster vowed then and there to Slater that, after spending some time with his family, he would lead Queensland in Wednesday's Origin decider - one of the biggest games of his career. 'He didn't have a lot of answers for a lot of other things, but he gave that one to me pretty straight,' Slater said. 'It's a huge game and he wants to be a part of that.' To give him as much time as possible with his family, the Maroons booked Munster on a separate flight that would get him to Sydney in time for Tuesday afternoon's captain's run at Accor Stadium. 'I can't wait to give him a hug,' Slater said ahead of Munster's reunion with the team. 'Naturally, he's been pretty upset over the last couple of days, but I think the last couple of days he's been where he's needed to be, and that's with his mum and his sister.' Slater understood the best thing he could do for Munster sitting in his room on Sunday was to be there as a mate, and give him all the time he needed with family. The coach knew that because he lost his own father Ronnie earlier this year. 'There's no real words that fix any of this,' Slater said. 'Unfortunately there's not a switch (to flick). 'I haven't dealt with this as a coach, but I've dealt with it as a person. I lost my father in January. I know what it's like and Cam's an inspiration for many people. 'He's a hero to many people in Queensland. I can only imagine his dad would've been his first inspiration and his first hero. He'd be hurting right now.' That's why Slater knows Wednesday night is the time for the Maroons to show up for Munster, just as he showed up for his teammates guiding them to victory against the odds in Origin II. 'Their skipper is going to need them on Wednesday night,' Slater said. 'I'm sure it'll give them a huge boost, to see their mate going through something that you only go through once in your life, losing your father. I'm sure it's going to have a huge impact on them.' Slater has already seen his senior players leading the group with aplomb in Munster's absence. It's been a blessing for the group to have Josh Papalii, the Canberra prop called out of representative retirement to reinvigorate the forward pack. 'It's a feel, with 'Papa',' Slater said of the veteran's impact on the squad.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Owen Farrell in line for Lions return after first full training session
The 33-year-old is in line to make the first appearance of his fourth Lions tour against an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide on Saturday. Owen Farrell warms up ahead of a Gallagher Premiership semi-final match in 2024 (Joe Giddens/PA) Head coach Andy Farrell confirmed on Monday that his son is in contention to play in the final fixture before the first Test against Australia on July 19, having completed all his return to play protocols for concussion. His last game was for Racing 92 against Lyon when he suffered a head injury, a further setback in a season that has been interrupted by groin surgery. He played only 17 games in the 2024-25 campaign. 'I wouldn't say he's over the jet lag just yet. I think he was up all night, but haven't we all been through that? But the rest is fine,' Andy Farrell said. Farrell's call-up is controversial given his last Test for England was almost two years ago and his only season at Racing 92 was underwhelming to the point he has agreed an immediate return to Saracens. However, the management regards his experience and leadership as valuable assets, not least because he is the only player in the squad who was present for the last triumphant Lions tour, also to Australia in 2013. Johnny Sexton, the former Ireland fly-half who is the Lions' kicking coach Down Under, insists Farrell has fitted in seamlessly with the tourists. 'As you'd expect with someone with that experience, he's fitted in. He's hit the ground running, so it's great to see,' Sexton said after Tuesday's training session. 'He must have had the playbook on the plane on the way over because he came in and he's not missed a beat. 'He's been on top of things in training and that's exactly why you pick someone with experience who knows about a Lions tour because it might take someone else 10 days to fit in.'
