'Why would you not pick Owen Farrell?'

BBC News

2 days ago

Owen Farrell's call-up to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia could be a "masterstroke", says former England scrum-half and Danny Care.Care, a long-time half-back partner of Farrell for England, backed the decision for Lions head coach Andy Farrell to call up his son, despite his injury struggles and lack of international game time.The former England captain has replaced utility back Elliot Daly, who was ruled out of the tour after fracturing his arm in Wednesday's win over Queensland Reds."Why would you not pick Owen Farrell?" Care told BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast."Whatever position he is going to play, whatever role he's going to play in that squad, they are only a better squad for having him there.Care has seen first hand how Farrell sets standards both on and off the pitch."If Owen turns up and delivers standards and delivers a better performance from the Lions, and overall and you see a more connected team, then you have to go 'what a masterclass and a masterstroke from the coaches'," he added.Farrell, 33, has not played international rugby in nearly two years and recently returned to Saracens after a difficult season in Paris with Racing 92.The fly-half, who can also play inside centre, has not played in nearly nine weeks after a concussion ended his season early.Once he arrives in Australia, Farrell will be the only player in the squad to have gone on four Lions tours, where he will look to add to his six Tests."Whatever team Owen is in he makes them better. I have no doubt in whatever shape he is, he will slot in absolutely fine," added Care."I hope he hits the ground running, and everyone just gets on with it."
Care recalls how a suspended Owen Farrell played a crucial role in preparing England for their pivotal opening game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Argentina."I go back to the World Cup where he goes into the tournament with a ban, but the way he drove the standards of the whole group," he said."The way he drove the midweek teams, preparing the first team to play against Argentina and the masterclass that George Ford delivered there."Owen prepped that team so well for that."Whatever Owen's role is going to be on that tour he is only going to add and be a positive influence and drive the standards even more."
Who else could they have called up?
Daly's experience as a utility back is a unique one. The 32-year-old has played centre, wing and full-back across three Lions tours and was playing his way into a Test spot.Scotland's Tom Jordan, who is touring close by in his native New Zealand, can play 10, 12 and 15 and was a natural fit to cover multiple positions.Ireland's Jamie Osborne, capped by Farrell last summer in South Africa, will complete the set of playing international rugby at full-back, wing and centre against Georgia on Saturday.Andy Farrell made clear he had "loads of full-backs" with Hugo Keenan and Blair Keenan, the likely contenders for the Test 15 spot, set to play their first game on tour against NWS Waratahs on Saturday.With Marcus Smith also able to cover 15, this ruled out in-form Wales full-back Blair Murray.Scotland wing Darcy Graham wing was unlucky to miss out on the initial squad and offers less versatility but could have added another option in the back three.Ireland's Mack Hansen and England's Tommy Freeman have both played for their club at full-back, which Andy Farrell previously referenced was an important factor in their initial selection."I will be honest; I look around and think who else could he call-up?" Care said."Out of everyone that is going that can cover a couple of positions. He would be top of my list."Why wouldn't you take someone who has been there three times, worn the shirt and knows what it takes?"There will be sceptical people because he hasn't played proper Test match rugby for a long time."I do not think that matters with Owen, I really don't."
'A joke selection' - the backlash
Former Lions fly-half Dan Biggar toured with Owen Farrell in 2017 and 2021 and wrote in his Daily Mail column, external that the management are being "quite naive" if they think the selection will "blow over quietly".He also wonders if Farrell will affect the dynamic of the fly-halves as he is "a huge personality" and will have a "big influence" on the squad."We've been praising Russell all year. He looks like the main man. It feels like this is his moment and you don't know what kind of impact Farrell coming in will have on that dynamic," Biggar added.Stuart Barnes, a Lions tourist in 1993, wrote in the Times, external that the problem with Farrell's call-up was not "nepotism" but "on form, the selection is a joke".And like Biggar, the former England fly-half questioned whether Russell would be hindered by Farrell's presence."Farrell's pick is a disturbing decision. It could even become a disturbance. Let's hope not," he added.Brian O'Driscoll, a four-time Lions tourist, believes Farrell's leadership skills mean he will "accepted very, very well" and he added on Off The Ball, external that he could see him starting one of the Tests at inside centre."He could change their game or bring an extra dimension," he added. "His range of passing is phenomenal."