Owen Farrell's surprise Lions call-up has split opinions
Daly fractured his arm in the second half of Wednesday's game against the Reds and will be a huge miss for Andy Farrell's squad. A utility back, Daly has massive Lions experience having featured in the previous two tours and had started this tour very well.
As unfortunate as it is for Daly it has opened the door for Andy Farrell to call up Owen for what will be his fourth Lions tour now, having featured in the previous three dating back to 2013. Owen Farrell of the Lions kicks the match winning penalty during the match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions Pic:Owen Farrell took a step away from International rugby in 2023 following the Rugby World Cup and soon after he left Saracens, who he had played his whole career with, to move to Paris and join Racing 92 last summer.
It was a welcomed move at the time as Farrell was still considered to be one of the best players in Europe and it gave the chance to see him join the likes of Dan Carter and Johnny Sexton as great fly-halves to have lined out for Racing. With his former England coach Stuart Lancaster as Head Coach too it was expected to be a match made in heaven for Farrell.
However it was anything but. Farrell struggled with injury all season and Lancaster struggled to deal with the pressure of the harsh French media and was ultimately dismissed from his role in February. Farrell made 17 appearances in the arduous French season and scored only one try for the Parisians. He has subsequently cut his time in Paris short and has now returned to Saracens ahead of next season. Owen Farrell of Racing 92 looks on during a Top 14 match Pic:This form wouldn't be the usual form for someone who's in the Lions squad but in Owen Farrell, the Lions now have a pure winner. Farrell has been a leading player in Grand Slam winning sides, Champions Cup winning sides and World Cup finalists and at points over the last decade was one of the best players in the world.
He is one of the most decorated players in English rugby history and it's that Owen Farrell which father Andy would hope joins this British and Irish Lions team in Australia.
However even still Andy Farrell's choice to call-up his son ahead of the likes of Tom Jordan, Blair Murray, Freddie Steward or even a Jack Crowley or Sam Prendergast, who all don't have the career Owen has had but have had great campaigns this year, has ruffled a lot of feathers.
This version of Owen Farrell should not be getting a Lions call up– no form in 24/25 + injury issues– Plenty of options at 10/12– no international rugby since 2023– not a like for like swap with Daly (FB covered may be needed)
How can Andy Farrell justify this? https://t.co/qEM1K9rMLq
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