Farrell keeps it in the family with Lions captaincy
Playing his 20th match for the Lions on his fourth tour, Farrell will lead the Lions for the first time as the tourists turn out at Marvel Stadium in the last of their six tour matches.
It's his first start since being drafted into the 2025 squad late as injury cover, with the 33-year-old coming off the bench in the Lions' one-sided win over the AUNZ invitational XV in Adelaide.
The Lions are 6-0 on their Australian tour, including a 27-19 victory over the Wallabies in the first Test at Brisbane last Saturday.
Backrower Ben Earl and inside backs Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith have been included in the reserves three days after being involved in the 23-man squad for the first Test.
Former England captain Farrell will partner Irishman Jamie Osborne in the centres while Scotland No.9 Ben White will combine with England's Fin Smith in the halves.
Blair Kinghorn will return from a knee injury to play fullback in an all-Scotland back three with wingers Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe.
Welsh blindside flanker Jac Morgan will start, as will exciting young England No.8 Henry Pollock.
Ireland centre Garry Ringrose has overcome concussion symptoms to take a spot on the bench.
Jamie George will start at hooker after joining the tour group from Argentina after playing with England.
Three other Scottish reinforcements -- lock Gregor Brown, hooker Ewan Ashman and prop Rory Sutherland - were named on the bench.
Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale will captain the inaugural First Nations and Pasifika team.
Andy Farrell said the match would give all players a chance to push their case for selection for the final two Tests, the second of which comes on Saturday night at the MCG.
"The coaches' minds are open when it comes to selection, they have to be with so many players performing and pushing for places," Farrell said in a statement
"This fixture gives players another opportunity to put their hand up for selection for the final two Tests.
"This group know the level of performance that we will require against a First Nations and Pasifika team that is packed with talent and power."
Lions: Blair Kinghorn (Scotland), Darcy Graham (Scotland), Jamie Osborne (Ireland), Owen Farrell (England, captain), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Fin Smith (England), Ben White (Scotland); Henry Pollock (England), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Jac Morgan (Wales), Scott Cummings (Scotland), James Ryan (Ireland), Finlay Bealham (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland). Reserves: Ewan Ashman (Scotland), Rory Sutherland (Scotland), Tom Clarkson (Ireland), Gregor Brown (Scotland), Ben Earl (England), Alex Mitchell (England), Marcus Smith (England), Garry Ringrose (Ireland).
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Piastri 'deserved' Belgian Grand Prix victory: Norris
Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies Oscar Piastri has been hailed by title rival Lando Norris after taking a major step towards a first world championship title by defying wet conditions to win a rain-delayed Belgian Grand Prix. Heading home McLaren teammate Norris, who had started on pole, means Australian driver Piastri's lead has jumped from nine to 16 points. It also halted his English rival's gathering momentum - Norris had won the previous two races to slash Piastri's overall lead to single figures. Norris, who was passed by Piastri on the first racing lap at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday, said: "Shoulda, woulda, coulda. Oscar deserved it." "Oscar just did a good job. Nothing more to say. Committed a bit more through Eau Rouge, and had the slipstream and got the run. "So nothing to complain of. He did a better job in the beginning, and that was it. Nothing more I could do after that point. I would love to be up top, but Oscar deserved it today." The decisive moment of the afternoon came moments after the race finally got underway. Piastri charged through the spray to slipstream Norris through the daunting Eau Rouge and scythed past on the uphill straight, with his overtaken teammate complaining of a possible battery issue. Piastri then proceeded largely untroubled as he powered on to finish 3.415 seconds clear of his arch-rival. Norris reduced Piastri's lead toward the end of the race but the Australian held on with worn tires with his teammate unable to get close enough to challenge. "I knew Lap 1 (after the safety car) would probably be my best chance of winning the race. I got a good exit out of Turn 1, lifted as little as I dared and yeah, we had it mostly under control," Piastri said after his eighth Formula One career win and sixth of this season. Piastri had been disappointed to qualify second for the race behind Norris, but it "turns out starting second at Spa is not so bad after all," he said. The world title initiative has suddenly swung back to Piastri, who heads to Hungary for next Sunday's grand prix having won his first race in Budapest last season. Norris added: "I'll review my things but still happy for the team, another 1-2 and our first 1-2 here for many, many years." The race had been red-flagged after an initial formation lap due to standing water and heavy spray affecting visibility. That resulted in a delay of an hour and 20 minutes as officials waited for conditions at the notoriously weather-prone circuit to improve. Charles Leclerc was a distant third for Ferrari as dominant champions McLaren celebrated their sixth one-two finish in 13 races and the third in a row. Titleholder Max Verstappen, in his first full race under a new Red Bull chief following the departure of Christian Horner, finished fourth. George Russell, of Mercedes, who crossed the line first in Spa last year but was disqualified due to his car being underweight, was fifth this time and Williams' Alex Albon came home sixth. With agencies
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
English golfer Lottie Woad wins Women's Scottish Open after turning pro at 21
Lottie Woad has started her professional golfing career in spectacular fashion, with a three-stroke victory at the Women's Scottish Open. The English star made her professional debut this week after securing her LPGA Tour card following a T3 finish at the Evian Championship, which was won by Australian Grace Kim. Woad also won the 2025 Women's Irish Open, but her amateur status meant she could not claim the prize money for either event, which adds up to $US603,100 ($917,714). The Women's Scottish Open win means she starts her pro career with a cheque for more than $450,000, and will ensure she is in the media spotlight at the year's final major title, the Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl, this week. She went into the final day at Dundonald Links with a two-shot lead, having been at the top of the leaderboard at the 36-hole and 54-hole marks. The 21-year-old started strong, with back-to-back birdies on the second and third holes, before nine pars on the trot, but Woad then rolled in birdies on 13 and 14. A third bogey of the week happened on 16 for the former world-number-one amateur, but she finished in style with a birdie on 18 to win with a score of 21 under par. Woad became the first player to win on their professional debut on the Ladies European Tour (LET) since Singapore's Shannon Tan at the 2024 Magical Kenya Ladies Open and the first on the LPGA Tour since Rose Zhang at the 2023 Americas Open. She also became the first English winner of the Women's Scottish Open since Trish Johnson back in 2014. The two-time LET winner continued: "It's great to win here. Links golf is really fun, I don't get to play it too often. It's my first time since the Women's Open last year, so I wasn't sure how it would go. Korea's Hyo Joo Kim finished in outright second place on 18 under par after a final round of 68 (4 under) at Dundonald Links. The 2025 Korea Championship winner began the day with a birdie on the first before rolling in three birdies in a row on the fifth, sixth, and seventh, and she dropped a shot on the eighth. However, back-to-back birdies on 10 and 11 put her level with England's Woad on 19 under par, and another birdie on 14 drew her level with the Englishwoman once again, but bogeys on 15 and 16 put an end to her title challenge. Spain's Julia Lopez Ramirez equalled the round of the week with a 65 (7 under) on the final day to finish in a tie for third place alongside Korea's Sei Young Kim on 14 under par. Lopez Ramirez had eight birdies and one bogey on her scorecard to secure one of the three spots for next week's Women's Open. World number one Nelly Korda finished in solo fifth place on 13 under, with Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen in sixth on 11 under. South Africa's Paula Reto clinched the second Women's Open spot with her seventh-place finish after a final round of 71 (2 under) in Scotland. Australians Cassie Porter, Minjee Lee and Karis Davidson all finished with a four-round total of 5 under 283, to tie for 21st place. China's Mary Liu secured the third spot in the final major tournament of the year after rounds of 76-67-68-70 to finish in outright 15th place. Solheim Cup winner Gemma Dryburgh finished as leading Scot and was presented with the Jock MacVicar trophy at Dundonald Links. Next up for the LET is the Women's Open which will take place at Royal Porthcawl between July 31 and August 3. EBU/ABC
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Perfect 10: Demon recovers from brink of defeat to win title
When the going gets tough, Alex de Minaur gets tougher. The Australian became a 10-time champion on the ATP Tour on Monday (AEST), recovering from 5-2 down in the final set of the Washington Open final to outlast childhood rival Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) in another performance packed with mental resilience. De Minaur saved three separate championship points in a nerve-jangling, 14-minute service game at 4-5, including a defensive backhand lob that barely touched the sideline on the third of them. He never trailed in the tie-break – but twice handed back mini-break leads – before sealing victory after three hours and two minutes of tense and absorbing tennis that owed to repeatedly brave shot-making in the toughest moments. Loading De Minaur is now only one career title behind Australian greats Patrick Rafter and Mark Philippoussis. He is the fifth Australian to win in Washington, with Nick Kyrgios the most recent in 2019 and 2022. 'I don't know [how I did that]. It's something about this court. I did it in 2018 against [Andrey] Rublev, and honestly, I just kind of knew I could do it,' de Minaur said. 'I just backed myself and told myself to commit, no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms, and today went my way. I've had a couple of brutal ones not go my way, so I'm glad this one [did]. 'I'm very happy with where I am at the moment, [and] how I'm dealing with things on and off the court. I had the mindset that even if today didn't go my way, it was a very positive week, so I was proud of my efforts, no matter what, but, geez, it feels good to hold my 10th title.'
